The Nagasaki view

December 23, 2013

Japan anti-nuke stance to reflect Nagasaki view

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131223_08.html

Japan's Foreign Minister says he will reflect the views of the atomic-bombed city of Nagasaki in the government's efforts toward nuclear arms reduction.

Fumio Kishida is scheduled to give a lecture on nuclear disarmament at Nagasaki University on January 20th.

He plans to say the government's first aim is to achieve a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons so that it can promote nuclear disarmament in a realistic manner, while Japan remains under the US nuclear umbrella.

Kishida also plans to explain that as the only atomic bombed country, Japan will continue to stress the horror of nuclear weapons.

The foreign minister says he hopes for a frank exchange with audiences so their views can be included in the government's efforts toward nuclear arms reduction.

In October, Japan for the first time signed up to a UN committee statement saying nuclear weapons should never be used under any circumstances.

The government plans to hold an international conference on disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation next April, in the country's other atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima.