This year commemorates the 67th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Mass rallies against nuclear weapons will be held as usual in both of the cities. A second-round of convention will be held in the Fukushima Prefecture, a nuclear disaster site, before the annual events, July 28. The crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Plant has not yet ceased. In spite of this fact the Noda government has decided to resume operation at the nuclear plant at Oi, Fukui Prefecture. The anti-nuclear events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have crucial importance.


DON'T RESUME OPERATION AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS!
LET'S CHANGE TO A SOCIETY WITHOUT NUCLEAR ENERGY!


Over 20 thousands units of nuclear arsenal are piled up on the globe today. They are possessed by five member nations of the UN Security Council and another four countries not covered by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Any substantial change has not been made in the UN meetings and NPT's review conferences, though various proposals were agreed on and resolutions were adopted on nuclear disarmament and elimination of nuclear arms.


Japan May have Nuclear Weapons


In this context an international role of Japan, a nation against which nuclear bombs were used at the end of war, is focused on from both of the internal and external settings. However, the nation's realities are far from the expectation. Even after the nuclear catastrophe in the Fukushima plant, Japan as a nation eagerly programs to export nuclear plants to India, Vietnam and Jordan.


Furthermore, the Atomic Energy Basic Act was revised by the current Diet session in the context of enactment of a bill on establishment of nuclear regulatory commission; a phrase 'to contribute to national security' was incorporated into the basic act. That suggests that the nation will have nuclear arms.


Atomic Energy Basic Act proclaims 'a peaceful use' of nuclear power and provides three principles in the efforts of its research, development and use. They are openness, democracy and independence, which in turn serve as the nation's pledge of Three Non-Nuclear Principles. The New Socialist Party opposes even a peaceful use of nuclear energy, but the Noda government has decided to go beyond the established status.


Japan has, uniquely as an exception, as an NPT member but not a possessing power of nuclear arms, reprocessing plants for spent fuel and has a tremendous amount of plutonium, a material to produce nuclear arms. That means Japan has potential to have nuclear weapons. For this reason China and South Korea worry explicitly about that Japan may arm itself with nuclear weapons.


Besides that, Premier Noda Yoshihiko expressed July 9 in a meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives his intention to discuss and review the right of collective security in terms of Constitution. The right is regarded as unconstitutional.


The government led by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) challenges national security issues, imposing grave changes.


Let's Strengthen Anti-Nuclear Power Campaigns!


The anti-nuclear events will be held on August 4, 5 and 6 in Hiroshima and on August 7, 8 and 9 in Nagasaki. As usual the agenda include nuclear disarmament, elimination of nuclear weapons and protection and relief of Hibakushas, or victims of atomic bombs, but the greatest focus will be put on Fukushima as well as Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The basis is that mankind does not get along with nuclear arms/energy. The national convention is to convey anti-nuclear messages vigorously to the rest of the world, stressing elimination of nuclear arms and phase-out of atomic energy as well as calamity of Fukushima.


On the first day are scheduled a national meeting organized by Gensuikin (=National Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb), Rengo (=Japan Trade Union Confederation) and Kaku-kin Kaigi (=National Council for Peace and against Nuclear Weapons) and a street demonstration event. On the second day are to be held international conferences, workshops, field works and other activities. In numerous workshops you will be able to discuss anti-nuclear issues and exchange information and experiences with participants. Active discussions will be held as anti-nuclear energy campaigns have grown across the country.


Members of the New Socialist Party will take part in the programs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, joining from various corners of the country. They will report local activities, including legal actions presented against re-operation and for shut-down of nuclear reactors.


A path to disarmament and elimination of nuclear arsenal on the world arena begins with struggles inside Japan to object re-operation of nuclear plants and push the government to abandon nuclear fuel cycle.


Let's work hard so that the Hiroshima and Nagasaki events will have many successes!



July 24, 2012