Disarmament Diplomacy

News Review

56^th Anniversary of Hiroshima, Nagasaki Atomic Bombs

August 6 and 9 marked the 56^th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Addressing an estimated 50,000 people in Hiroshima, the city's Mayor, Tadatoshi Akiba, observed: "The end of the century of war has not automatically ushered in a century of peace and humanity. Our world is still darkened not only by the direct violence of civil wars, but also by innumerable other forms of violence." Akiba added: "Passing on to younger generations the memories and the will of those who suffered the bombing is the most important step for humankind to survive in the 21^st century. That is the surest way to bridge a rainbow to the 22^nd century."

Also attending the ceremony at Hiroshima, Japan's Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, stated that his country "will continue to stand at the forefront of the international community and do its utmost to seek a complete end to nuclear weapons. ... As the only country that has experienced a nuclear attack...we have appealed to the global community to eradicate nuclear weapons and build a lasting peace, so that the devastation of nuclear warfare will never again be repeated..." The Prime Minister's remarks, however, were overshadowed by his controversial plans to visit the Yasukuni war shrine in Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to Japan's war dead, including officers convicted of war crimes. In addition to protests from neighbouring countries, Koizumi's planned visit was also opposed by groups representing survivors of the atomic bombs. On August 6, Akio Kanzani, head of an association of survivors' groups, met the Prime Minister and urged: "I would like to express the honest feelings of the survivors. We want you to cancel plans to make an official visit to the shrine." Despite the furore, Koizumi's visit to the shrine took place as scheduled.

On August 9, Nagasaki Mayor Itcho Ito told a crowd of around 4,500 of the grim scale of the battle ahead to advance the cause of disarmament: "The citizens of Nagasaki have continuously struggled to realise a 21^st century free from nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, no fewer than 30,000 nuclear warheads still exist on our planet, and the nuclear threat is today on the verge of expanding into space." Speaking alongside the Mayor, Koizumi emphasised the importance of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in seeking to reverse the threat. Referring to the accord's entry-into-force, Koizumi pledged: "We will aggressively appeal to other countries for their cooperation in carrying this out..."

Speaking for the international community, a message from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was delivered at the Hiroshima commemoration service by Kenzo Oshima, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs:

"Fifty-six years ago, the explosion of an atomic bomb destroyed Hiroshima, shattering hundreds of thousands of lives and causing untold suffering. Three days later Nagasaki suffered the same fate. The world woke to the palpable threat of annihilation by the atomic bomb... Ever since, the elimination of nuclear weapons has been a priority for the international community. In fact, the first resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1946 called for 'the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and of all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction'. There have been remarkable advances in nuclear disarmament since 1945 and nuclear weapons have never again been used in war. However, the fervent hope of humankind - to see nuclear weapons abolished by the end of the twentieth century - was not realised, despite the strenuous efforts of peoples and governments. Last year, at the [NPT] Review Conference...states with nuclear capacity made an 'unequivocal undertaking' to accomplish the total elimination of nuclear weapons. In the Millennium Declaration, the largest number of world leaders ever assembled resolved to strive for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons. It is time now to turn these words into deeds. We must dispel the fearful shadow that weapons of mass destruction cast across every nation. We must replace a culture of reaction with one of conflict prevention. ..."

Reports: Hiroshima marks mournful anniversary, Associated Press, August 5; Hiroshima vows to keep A-bomb memory alive, Reuters, August 6; Koizumi urges ban on nuclear weapons, CNN.com, August 6; Secretary-General calls for renewed vow never to repeat Hiroshima/Nagasaki tragedies, UN Press Release SG/SM/7907, August 6; Nagasaki residents mark bombing, Associated Press, August 9; Japan's Koizumi nears decision on shrine visit, Reuters, August 9.

© 2001 The Acronym Institute.