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2009/08/06
Hatoyama visits Hiroshima, stresses need for Japan to continue to vigorously promote abolition of nuclear weapons
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On August 6, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama, on a visit to Hiroshima city to participate in the Peace Memorial Ceremony, responded to reporters’ questions. He expressed his feelings regarding the visit, saying, “I had the opportunity to hear the voices of many A-bomb victims, and I was once more made keenly aware of the tragedy of the atomic bomb.” He expressed his strong resolution to work toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, as a politician of Japan, the sole nation to have suffered the effects of a nuclear attack, saying “Japan must continue to deliver a message that vigorously promotes the abolition of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, we must also demonstrate this through our actions.”
Hatoyama also referred to US President Barack Obama’s declaration regarding the abolition of nuclear weapons, expressing the opinion that Japan should make more effort on this issue that the United States, by saying, “Japan should go even further than that.”
Asked how the DPJ would proceed to follow toward denuclearization, Hatoyama responded, “It is vital for Japan to strongly express her intentions, through meetings such as those of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.” He added, “Japan should play a role, such as by facilitating nuclear non-proliferation negotiations between the United States and Russia.”
Hatoyama was also asked for his reaction to Prime Minister Aso’s decision to sign documents recognizing the right to compensation of all of the plaintiffs in the court case calling for recognition of their rights as A-bomb victims. He commented that it was rather late in the day, but still deserved to be acknowledged as a step forward. He added that the DPJ, in response to calls from the plaintiffs, had delivered representations to the Chief Cabinet Secretary and others calling for speedy compensation for the victims, and said, “I believe that these have finally borne fruit.”
Furthermore, Hatoyama commented on the fact that the means chosen to resolve the issue was to be a private members’ bill, expressing his determination to work toward completely resolving the issue by saying, “It is a step forward, and so we are willing to cooperate, but this will not be a full resolution.”
Hatoyama was asked whether he intended to ask President Obama to visit Hiroshima in the event of the DPJ taking power. He prefaced his response by saying that this was still something for future discussion, but stated, “I think that it would be meaningful to invite President Obama to Hiroshima.”
Questioned as to how the DPJ would respond to the remaining issues relating to compensation for A-bomb victims, Hatoyama answered, “The DPJ will take speedy action. I don’t think that it is a question of money.”
With regard to the three non-nuclear principles, Hatoyama commented, “I believe that in a sense they represent a stronger intention than legislation. We will continue to see that the three non-nuclear principles can be fully upheld.”
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