Hiroshima Mayor vs Osaka Mayor Hashimoto

November 14, 2012

Hiroshima mayor complains about Hashimoto's remark on nuclear arms

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20121114p2g00m0dm085000c.html

HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui on Wednesday complained about Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto's recent remark that it is practically impossible to eliminate nuclear weapons.

"The remark may be by a person who has not understood the realities of the atomic bomb catastrophe," Matsui told a news conference. "If he knows the realities, it would make a difference."

Hashimoto, who has attracted media attention by launching a new political party called Nippon Ishin no Kai, made the remark in the atom-bombed city of Hiroshima on Tuesday, coming under fire from Hiroshima Prefecture Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki.

Matsui told the press conference that politicians including U.S. President Barack Obama have been calling for eliminating nuclear weapons.

The demand for elimination represents "Hiroshima's deep-rooted, important wish emerging from its real experiences," he said. "I want to take various opportunities to urge Hashimoto to look at the realities of the atomic bomb catastrophe."

In his complaint about Hashimoto's comment on Saturday, Gov. Yuzaki called on Hashimoto to improve his knowledge.

Hashimoto reacted to Yuzaki's complaint in a brief meeting with reporters Wednesday in Osaka, asking Hiroshima Prefecture and city to explain how they would become political players in dealing with the nuclear powers.

"Nothing will change simply with the assertion to eliminate nuclear weapons," he said.