Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2026 August 5 - 11 [PEACE]

15 financial institutions ‘ban’ lending to nuclear arms makers

Fifteen financial institutions, including Resona Holdings Inc., establish policies prohibiting investment in or financing of companies involved in the manufacture of nuclear weapons, and 12 of these institutions publicly disclose this information to their customers.

On August 4, three organizations, including a group of anti-nuclear doctors, held a press conference in Hiroshima City and announced the results of a survey with responses from 27 financial institutions.

A total of 22 companies responded that they prioritize the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in their investment and financing decisions. However, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group., Sumitomo Mitsui FG, and Mizuho FG refused to respond. These financial groups have been identified by a survey conducted by the Dutch peace organization “PAX” as engaging in investment and financing activities involving nuclear weapons companies.

Dr. Matsui Kazuo, secretary general of the regional project for the international campaign “Don’t Bank on the Bomb,” stated at the press conference, “A majority of financial institutions have implemented such bans, which is a positive trend.”

Wada Masako, a Nagasaki A-bomb survivor, was also present at the conference. She said, “They shouldn’t finance inhumane weapons that violate international treaties. I’m concerned that lifting the ban on arms exports may lead to an increase in weapons and weapons system investments and financing. It’s important now to raise awareness among the general public and pressure banks not to finance the extensive nuclear weapons industry.”

The three organizations are an anti-nuclear physicians’ group in the Kinki region, the Physicians Against Nuclear War, and the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

Past related article:
> Japanese physicians against nuclear war will work to step up ‘Don’t Bank on Bomb’ campaign [ September 15, 2019]