HIROSHIMA — Seven organizations in Hiroshima Prefecture working on behalf of hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors, held a joint press conference at Hiroshima City Hall on Oct. 17 and issued a statement pledging to “continue to plead for peace”.

In the statement released by the atomic bomb survivor groups, they said: “As we approach the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, we renew our commitment to continue advocating for peace for as long as we are alive. » The press conference took place in response to the awarding of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to the Japanese Confederation of A and H Bomb Victims’ Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo).

Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, co-chairman of Nihon Hidankyo and chairman of the Prefectural Confederation of Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Victims’ Organizations (Hiroshima-ken Hidankyo), one of seven local groups, said at the press conference : “Receiving this award is not a goal, but a starting point. We will advocate for the abolition of nuclear power for the rest of our lives. »

The statement criticizes Japan’s absence from the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), adopted by the United Nations in 2017, alongside nuclear-armed countries, while Japan is “the only country to having experienced atomic bombings during wartime. He also addressed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s mention of “sharing nuclear weapons” with the United States, emphasizing: “If Japan does not strengthen its diplomatic efforts for peace, do not join the treaty and does not play a guiding role for the nuclear powers, it will betray international honor and expectations.

During the news conference, Kunihiko Sakuma, 79, president of a separate atomic bomb survivors’ organization also named Hiroshima-ken Hidankyo, cited lawsuits seeking redress for victims of the “black rain », or those exposed to radioactive fallout after the bombings. and atomic bomb survivors living outside Japan. He said: “The hibakusha movement also represents a history of rights movements. I wish this aspect was also mentioned in the reasons why (Nihon Hidankyo) was awarded.

The seven organizations collect signatures to urge the Japanese government to ratify the TPNW and call for ratification of the treaty when they meet with the Prime Minister each year on “Atomic Bomb Day” in Hiroshima on August 6 .

(Japanese original by Deockwoo An, Hiroshima Bureau)