It was very hot summer day. In 2005, August 9th, I, Kosei, was in Nagasaki. August 8th, I found a high school girl collecting signature(might be it was campaign to raise funds) in front of the station. I thought she did club activity. In the night, I saw a TV news reporting about her. I learned she, the young, is an A-bomb victim. I regretted I did nothing for her. As I recall, she suffered from leukemia or something caused by the A-bomb. Her earnest eyes were impressive.
There are still many A-bomb victims including young people in Japan. One of heinous natures is that misspelled genes are handed down in descendants. Decision by President Truman is killing citizen, is anguishing citizens even now, 21st century. I think I can say WW2 was made to be a never ending war for Hibakusha by A-bomb. I know many American people nuke attack against Hiroshima and Nagasaki were right. Just I patiently wait for and believe American climate of opinion, also other nuclear nation's one, changes in the future.
Nuke attack is not only Hiroshima and Nagasaki's problem, is not matter of only WW2. It is our common problem. A-bomb tests our good sense.
Hibakusha's hope is that they make Nagasaki to be the last A-bomb site. I hope their dream come true.
Well, this is the 2007 Nagasaki Peace Declaration.
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2007 Nagasaki Peace Declaration
“What crime did these children commit?”
Holding up a picture of a boy horribly burned by the heat of the atomic bomb, Iccho Itoh made this impassioned plea before the International Court of Justice some 12 years ago, not long after he was elected mayor of Nagasaki.
In April of this year, former mayor Itoh was shot dead in a wanton act of violence. We vow to carry on his commitment to the elimination of nuclear arms, true to the statement made together with the hibakusha atomic bomb survivors that “nuclear weapons and humanity cannot coexist.”
On August 9, 1945 at 11:02 a.m., a single atomic bomb dropped by a United States military aircraft exploded at a height of 500 meters.
The intense heat rays and severe blast winds, together with enormous amounts of radiation, claimed 74,000 lives and inflicted terrible injuries on 75,000 others, filling the ruined land and rivers with corpses.
Even today, the charnel house atop the hill in Peace Park serves as the resting place for the bones of over 9,000 people whose names remain unknown.
The 1996 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice that “the use and threat of nuclear weapons is generally contrary to international law” stands as an important warning to mankind.
Subsequently, the nuclear weapon states were understood to have committed to an “unequivocal undertaking ... to accomplish total elimination of their nuclear arsenals” at the 2000 NPT Review Conference.
Nevertheless, instead of progress in nuclear disarmament, we are facing a crisis in terms of the breakdown of the very structure of nuclear non-proliferation.
In addition to the nuclear weapon states of the US, Russia, the UK, France and China, the countries of India, Pakistan and North Korea have taken up nuclear arms under the excuse of self-defense.
In the Middle East also, the nuclear non-proliferation structure is being shaken by Israel, generally regarded as possessing nuclear weapons, and by the suspicions of nuclear development raised by Iran.
With the appearance of new nuclear weapon states comes increased danger of actual use, as well as the leakage of nuclear-related technology. The Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) program by the United States threatens to reignite the nuclear arms race.
The United States and the other nuclear weapon states must embark on sincere efforts to eliminate their own nuclear weapons, moving beyond mere discussion of non-proliferation. Another major force for nuclear abolition would be for scientists and engineers to refuse to cooperate in nuclear weapons development.
The Japanese government, as the government of a nation that has experienced nuclear devastation, must demonstrate strong leadership in the context of international society for the elimination of nuclear weapons, based on the ideals of peace and renunciation of war contained in the Japanese Constitution.
The realization of the Northeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone concept, to include Mongolia and the nuclear weapon-free zone in Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, must also be pursued, along with resolute cooperation in the six-party talks with respect to nuclear renunciation by North Korea.
Today, in the midst of erroneous interpretation of the atomic bombings and discussion of potential nuclear weapons possession even in Japan, it is necessary to enact the Three Non-Nuclear Principles into law, not merely stating them as national policy.
Urgent efforts are also needed to further enhance relief measures for the atomic bomb survivors, both at home and overseas, who have struggled for decades with radiation-related disorders and accompanying anxiety. The experiences of the atomic bomb survivors form an essential starting point for the elimination of nuclear arms, and the inhumanity and atrocity that they suffered must be told to the world.
The use of nuclear weapons can never be permitted or considered acceptable, for any reason whatsoever.
At Sanno Shrine near the hypocenter of the bombing in Nagasaki, two camphor trees spread their leaves skyward. Sixty-two years ago, the sad blackened stumps of these trees poked up from the radioactive rubble.
The trees recovered, and seedlings were sent far and wide by children wishing for peace. These second-generation trees are now growing healthily at schools and in towns throughout Japan.
Over time, no matter what ill winds may blow, we shall never relinquish our commitment to a future that is free from nuclear weapons.
On this, the 62nd anniversary of the atomic bombing, we pray for the repose of the souls of those who died, and together with the city of Hiroshima, we pledge to work untiringly for the elimination of nuclear weapons and for the achievement of universal, everlasting peace.
Tomihisa Taue Mayor of Nagasaki August 9, 2007
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I watched this year's ceremony on TV. Prime minister Abe pledged to take a leadership role in the nuclear ban and stick to the three nonnuclear principles. I hope he said so for real. "Three nonnuclear principles" are "Not to have nuke arms", "Not to develop nuke arems" and "Not allow other countries(namely America) to bring nuke arms into Japan".
Nagasaki is a really beautiful city, where Japanese traditional culture live with Chinese culture and Christian culture. Sun light is cheerful. Green leaves reflects cheerful sunlight. People are kind. Foods are delicious. Night scape is beautiful. Inclination of the rise are beautiful. Really poetic air is in Nagasaki. I like Nagasaki so much. If I could, I want to buy a house in Nagasaki.
I wrote about Mayor of Nagasaki were killed several month ago.
I attach his declaration. I liked his dynamic speech very much.
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Nagasaki Peace Declaration in 2006
“What can people possibly be thinking?”
At the close of the 61st year following the atomic bombings, voices of anger and frustration are echoing throughout the city of Nagasaki.
At 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945, a single atomic bomb destroyed our city, instantly claiming the lives of 74,000 people and injuring 75,000 more.
People were burned by the intense heat rays and flung through the air by the horrific blast winds. Their bodies bathed in mordant radiation, many of the survivors continue to suffer from the after-effects even today. How can we ever forget the anguished cries of those whose lives and dreams were so cruelly taken from them?
And yet, some 30,000 nuclear weapons stand ready nonetheless to annihilate humanity.
A decade ago, the International Court of Justice stated that the threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to the rules of international law, strongly encouraging international society to strive for the elimination of nuclear armaments.
Six years ago at the United Nations, the nuclear weapon states committed themselves not merely to prevent proliferation, but to an unequivocal undertaking to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals.
Nuclear weapons are instruments of indiscriminate genocide, and their elimination is a task that mankind must realize without fail.
Last year, the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to which 189 countries are signatories, ended without result, and no progress has been observed since.
The nuclear weapon states have not demonstrated sincerity in their efforts at disarmament; the United States of America in particular has issued tacit approval of nuclear weapons development by India, and is moving forward with the construction of cooperative arrangements for nuclear technology.
At the same time, nuclear weapon declarant North Korea is threatening the peace and security of Japan and the world as a whole.
In fact, the very structure of non-proliferation is facing a crisis due to nuclear ambitions by various nations including Pakistan, which has announced its possession of nuclear arms; Israel, which is widely considered to possess them; and Iran.
The time has come for those nations that rely on the force of nuclear armaments to respectfully heed the voices of peace-loving people, not least the atomic bomb survivors, to strive in good faith for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and to advance towards the complete abolishment of all such weapons.
It must also be said that nuclear weapons cannot be developed without the cooperation of scientists.
We would urge scientists to realize their responsibility for the destiny of all mankind, not just for their own particular countries, and to abandon the development of nuclear arms.
Once again we call upon the Japanese government, representing as it does a nation that has experienced nuclear devastation firsthand, to ground itself in reflection upon history, uphold the peaceful intentions of the constitution, enact into the law the three non-nuclear principles, and work for establishment of a Northeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, that the tragedy of war may not occur again. We also urge the Japanese government to provide greater assistance to aging atomic bomb survivors, both within Japan and overseas.
For 61 years, the hibakusha atomic bomb survivors have recounted their tragic experiences to succeeding generations. Many have chosen not to hide the keloid scars on their skin, continuing to tell of things that they might rather not remember. Their efforts are indeed a starting point for peace.
Their voices reverberate around the world, calling for the deepest compassion of those who are working to ensure that Nagasaki is the last place on our planet to have suffered nuclear destruction.
The 3rd Nagasaki Global Citizens' Assembly for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons will be held in October of this year. We invite people working for peace to span generations and national boundaries, and gather together to communicate. Let us firmly join hands and foster an even stronger network for nuclear abolition and peace, extending from Nagasaki throughout the world.
We remain confident that the empathy and solidarity of all those who inherit the hopes of the hibakusha atomic bomb survivors will become an even more potent force, one that will surely serve to realize a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons.
In closing, we pray for the undisturbed repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in such misery, we resolve that 2006 should be a new year of departure, and we proclaim our commitment to continue to strive for the establishment of lasting world peace.
Iccho Itoh, Mayor of Nagasaki
August 9, 2006
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Next one is French version.
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Déclaration de Paix de Nagasaki
Les hommes auraient-ils perdu la raison?
Soixante et un an après les bombardements nucléaires, des voix de colère et de frustration s'élèvent et retentissent dans toute la ville de Nagasaki.
Le matin du 9 août 1945, à 11h02, une bombe atomique a détruit notre ville, tuant instantanément 74 000 personnes et en blessant 75 000 autres. Beaucoup furent brûlées par le rayonnement de la chaleur intense et d'autres projetées en l’air par le terrible souffle atomique. Leurs corps ayant été imprégnés par les radiations, bien des survivants continuent de souffrir d’effets secondaires même à ce jour. Comment pourrions-nous oublier les cris angoissés de ceux dont la vie et les rêves ont été si cruellement anéantis?
Et pourtant aujourd'hui encore, 30 000 armes nucléaires existent, prêtes à détruire l'humanité.
Il y a dix ans, la Cour Internationale de Justice a déclaré que la menace ou l'utilisation des armes nucléaires était contraire aux règles du Droit International, ce qui encourageait les nations à travailler avec acharnement à l'élimination de ces armes. Aux Nations-Unies, il y a six ans, les pays en possession d'armes nucléaires se sont engagés non seulement à empêcher leur prolifération mais à procéder, de façon non équivoque, à la destruction totale de leur arsenal nucléaire.
Ces armes nucléaires sont des instruments de génocide qui tuent sans discernement et leur élimination est une tâche que l'humanité tout entière se doit d’accomplir.
L'an dernier s'est tenue la Conférence de Révision du Traité de Non prolifération des Armes nucléaires qui réunit 189 pays membres et signataires. Elle s’est achevée sans qu'aucun résultat positif ne soit atteint et depuis, aucun progrès n'a été enregistré.
Les puissances nucléaires n'ont démontré aucune volonté de parvenir au désarmement. Les Etats-Unis d'Amérique, plus précisément, ont approuvé de façon tacite le développement d'armes nucléaires par l'Inde et mettent au point actuellement des arrangements concernant la technologie nucléaire. Simultanément l'arme nucléaire que déclare posséder la Corée du Nord menace la paix et la sécurité du Japon ainsi que celles du reste du monde. En fait, la structure même de la non-prolifération est en crise de par les ambitions nucléaires de plusieurs nations incluant le Pakistan qui a annoncé posséder l'arme nucléaire. Il en est de même pour Israël et l'Iran.
Le temps est venu pour ces nations qui comptent sur la puissance des armes nucléaires de prendre en considération les appels de ceux qui oeuvrent pour la paix et des survivants de la bombe atomique. Elles doivent s'acharner en toute bonne foi à réaliser le désarmement et la non-prolifération nucléaire, de même qu’elles doivent s’efforcer d’obtenir l’abolition complète de toutes ces armes. A ce stage, il est important de mentionner que les armes nucléaires ne peuvent être développées sans la coopération des scientifiques. Nous demandons à ces derniers d'abandonner cette course nucléaire et de prendre leurs responsabilités non seulement dans l'optique de leurs propre pays mais aussi pour la destinée de l'humanité tout entière.
Encore une fois, nous prions le gouvernement japonais, représentant d'une Nation qui a subi la dévastation nucléaire, de réfléchir à son passé, de soutenir les intentions pacifistes de sa Constitution, de donner force de loi à ses trois principes non-nucléaires et de travailler à l’ établissement d’une Zone de l’Asie du Nord-Est, libre de l’arme nucléaire afin que la tragédie de la dernière guerre mondiale ne se reproduise jamais. Nous supplions aussi le govuvernement japonais de procurer une meilleure assistance aux survivants de la atomique, quelle que soit leur nationalité et qu’ils vivent au Japon ou ailleurs.
Durant soixante et un ans, les survivants de la bombe atomique appelés “Hibakusha ” ont raconté, de génération en génération, leurs tragiques expériences. Certains ont choisi de ne pas cacher les horribles cicatrices indélébiles de leur peau, continuant d’évoquer des souvenirs qu'ils préféreraient sans aucun doute oublier. En vérité, leurs efforts sont leur contribution à la paix et un témoignage pour que la tragédie de la destruction nucléaire de Nagasaki ne se répète plus. Leurs voix s’ élèvent, tels des hérauts, implorant compassion pour tous ceux qui souffrent
La troisième réunion de l’Assemblée des citoyens du monde pour l’élimination des armes nucléaires, de Nagasaki aura lieu en octobre de cette année. Transcendant les frontières et les générations, nous invitons tous ceux qui travaillent pour la paix à assister à cette assemblée et à y participer ardemment. Pour la paix et l'abolition des armes nucléaires, donnons-nous la main et formons une chaîne humaine encore plus solide. Que cela soit entendu de Nagasaki jusqu'aux confins de la planète.
Nous sommes persuadés que l'empathie et la solidarité de tous ceux qui poursuivent les espoirs des “Hibakusha” s’ épanouiront en une force encore plus grande, utile à la réalisation d'un monde de paix, affranchi des armes nucléaires.
En conclusion, nous prions pour le repos éternel des âmes de ceux qui ont perdu leur vie dans des conditions aussi pitoyables. Nous espérons que l'an 2006 sera un nouveau point de départ. Nous proclamons aussi notre implication sans réserve dans le combat pour l'établissement d'une paix durable dans le monde.
Iccho Itoh Maire de Nagasaki Le 9 août 2006
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Unfortunately, I can't paste Chinese version. Sorry, I can't speak French. :-)
I took the photo at center of explosion of A-bomb in Nagasaki, 2005. The A-bomb exploded in the sky you see.
