Japanese Antinuclear Groups Unite to Mark Bombing Anniversaries, Urge Global Action

Two Japanese antinuclear groups, once divided during the Cold War, released a joint statement on Wednesday. The statement commemorated the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It called upon the Japanese people to share the cities' message with the world.

The statement was a collaborative effort between the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs (Gensuikin), the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), and Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's primary organization for atomic bomb survivors. Nihon Hidankyo was also the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

At a joint press conference in Tokyo, Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, expressed hope that this collaboration would mark a turning point. He envisioned the Japanese movement growing significantly and expanding its reach globally.

The three groups highlighted the increasing global risk of nuclear weapons use. They emphasized the importance of survivor testimonies as a powerful deterrent against such weapons in war.

The statement also urged the Japanese government to reconsider its stance. It called for the government to move away from the U.S. nuclear umbrella and to promptly sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

The statement underscored the critical role of Japan's antinuclear movement, especially given the rising risk of nuclear weapon use. It criticized the Japanese government's refusal to join the treaty, stating that it was undermining international trust.

The antinuclear movement in Japan originated in 1954, following the Bikini Atoll incident. A Japanese fishing boat was exposed to radiation from a U.S. nuclear weapon test. The first World Conference against A & H Bombs took place in Hiroshima in 1955.

The movement later fractured in the 1960s due to political disagreements. Gensuikyo aligned with the Japanese Communist Party, which had a more tolerant view of Soviet nuclear testing. Gensuikin allied with the former Socialist Party and trade unions, which opposed all nuclear testing.

While the world conference was held jointly from 1977 to 1985, Gensuikyo and Gensuikin have, in recent years, organized separate events each summer in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.