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At the Memorial Ceremony for atomic bomb victims, held by the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations on August 6
Kaieda offering flowers to the atomic bomb victims at the the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 9
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On August 6, the 69th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, DPJ President Banri Kaieda attended the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony and other related events in Hiroshima.
At the Memorial Ceremony for atomic bomb victims, held by the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations, Kaieda stated, “The importance of peace and the horrors of nuclear weapons have once again been engraved on my mind. I am sure that many of you in attendance today are filled with a greater sense of anxiety than ever before. This August is unlike any other August. August is the month for recalling memories of the catastrophe of wars and nuclear weapons. However, this August we must not only recall the tragedies of the past, but also think seriously about how we can continue to maintain peace, as we have done for the last 69 years. We must protect this peace that has endured for 69 years.” Kaieda continued, “Prime Minister Abe claims that ‘deterrence deters wars’ but this line of thinking risks leading us down the road of nuclear deterrence theory and ultimately to nuclear armament itself.” Kaieda vowed, “While deterrence is important, proactive diplomacy is equally significant for building peace. We must take this point to heart and make sure peace continues to be maintained in Japan.”
Kaieda also attended the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 9, held in Nagasaki Peace Park. On behalf of the DPJ, he offered flowers to the atomic bomb victims and prayed for the repose of their souls, calling for eternal world peace. After the ceremony he commented on the issue of the right to collective self-defense to reporters, saying “At the ceremony here in Nagasaki, the representatives of atomic bomb victims called the exercise of the right to collective self-defense ‘outrageous.’ We must take these sentiments very seriously.” Regarding Prime Minister Abe’s remarks at the ceremony, Kaieda continued, “His speech was almost the same as it was in Hiroshima. I doubt it resonated with the victims.”
On the exercise of the right to collective self-defense, Kaieda once again indicated his opposition, saying, “The Party meticulously verified the 15 examples presented by the Abe administration to the ruling parties. We do not believe there is a need to exercise the right at this time. We can protect our country securely without it.”
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