ICAN "Strengthen efforts to non-participating countries" before the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Before the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which bans the development and possession of nuclear weapons, comes into effect on the 22nd of this month, members of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, an international NGO, held a press conference to emphasize the significance of the treaty coming into effect. He expressed his intention to strengthen the approach to countries that have not indicated their intention to participate.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons meets the requirements of ratification of 50 countries and regions in October last year, and will come into effect on the 22nd of this month, about three and a half years after it was adopted by the United Nations in 2017.

Prior to this, Akira Kawasaki, an international steering committee member of ICAN, held an online press conference on the 15th, saying, "The entry into force of the treaty creates an international norm that nuclear weapons are illegal. It also puts pressure on nuclear-weapon states that do not participate in the treaty, and nuclear weapons. It will be a start toward the realization of a world without it. "

And, in order to enhance the effect of the treaty even after it comes into effect, even countries under the nuclear umbrella, such as Japan and European countries, are encouraged to join the treaty and invest in the development and manufacture of nuclear weapons. He also asked financial institutions to cooperate with the ban and expressed his intention to strengthen the activities.

On the other hand, the Government of Japan is cautious about participating as an observer in the Conference of the Parties to be held after the entry into force, without joining the treaty, saying that nuclear disarmament should be promoted by involving nuclear-weapon states.

Regarding this, Mr. Kawasaki said, "If Japan acts as a bridge between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states, participation in the Conference of the Parties is essential and we should show our intention to join the treaty in the future." I did.