Calling for concrete actions towards nuclear abolition from the disaster-stricken city of Hiroshima to countries around the world

J-STORIES - On August 5th, Hiroshima Prefecture announced "Hiroshima Watch," a policy calling on nuclear-armed countries to abide by guidelines of no first use of nuclear weapons, to halt the production and deployment of new nuclear weapons, and to take actions to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. As an appeal from Hiroshima, a city that suffered atomic bombing during World War II, the document will be sent to all 193 member countries of the United Nations, urging concrete action.

Hiroshima Watch was created during meetings of domestic and international experts on nuclear issues, hosted by Hiroshima Prefecture and the Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe), held annually since 2013.

Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki of Hiroshima Prefecture participates in the press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.     (Photo by J-Stories, same below) — Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki of Hiroshima Prefecture participates in the press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. (Photo by J-Stories, same below)

This year's meeting, held in Hiroshima City on July 16th and 17th, was chaired by Professor Emeritus Kiichi Fujiwara of the University of Tokyo. A total of 21 experts from Japan, the United States, China, South Korea, Russia, and Australia, including former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, participated in the discussions.

Kiichi Fujiwara, Specially Appointed Professor at Juntendo University and Emeritus Professor at the University of Tokyo, participates in the press conference.

At the press conference held at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki of Hiroshima Prefecture, Professor Emeritus Kiichi Fujiwara, and former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, who serves as Distinguished Honorary Professor at the Australian National University, presented Hiroshima Watch. This marked the first time that the document, which provides specific policy recommendations for governments to achieve nuclear abolition, was presented. In previous years only statements from the chairman were issued.

Gareth Evans, Special Laureate Professor at the Australian National University and former Australian Foreign Minister, joins the press conference.

During the press conference, Hiroshima Watch highlighted three major concerns: the increased reliance on nuclear weapons in the security policies of nuclear-armed countries, the growing risk of significant increases in the number and deployment of nuclear weapons, and the potential resumption of nuclear testing. These policies aim to avoid scenarios that could lead to a new arms race.

In response to these concerns, Gov. Yuzaki, who participated in the press conference online, called for specific actions such as a "no first use" policy, the halting of new nuclear weapon production and deployment, and the prevention of nuclear tests.

The Foreign Correspondents'Club of Japan (FCCJ) in Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

Regarding the proposals, former Australian Foreign Minister Evans noted that "the proposals focus on recent troubling trends and aim to correct the inadequate policy responses from governments around the world regarding nuclear weapons." He also pointed out Japan's contradictory policy of relying on nuclear deterrence while advocating for disarmament, emphasizing the difficulty in balancing security with the goal of nuclear abolition.

Evans further stressed the importance of continuing efforts for nuclear disarmament, stating that "despite the significant challenges, it is crucial to keep advocating for disarmament. Just as our understanding and action on climate change have grown over time, so too will the understanding and commitment to nuclear disarmament."