"Don't repeat the mistakes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki." A-
bomb survivors who saw the unimaginable damage caused by the atomic bomb, which is also called "living hell," have appealed to the world for 77 years.
Now, Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues, and President Putin threatens to flicker the possibility of using nuclear weapons.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed a strong sense of crisis, saying, "A conflict using nuclear weapons that was once unthinkable is now possible."
A series that introduces messages that can only be conveyed in Japan, the only country that has been exposed to the war.
The third is the voice of the A-bomb survivors in Nagasaki.
Part 1: Russia's military invasion The threat of nuclear weapons "Blood freezes" thoughts of A-bomb survivors
The second: "No good things are bad" Message from university students working on the abolition of nuclear weapons
Seiko Wada, Deputy Secretary General of Japan Confederation Association
Seiko Wada, 78 years old.
She was bombed in Nagasaki when she was 1 year and 10 months old.
She will continue her witnessing activities around the world as an executive of the Japan Confederation of Atomic Bomb Victims, and will speak on behalf of the A-bomb survivors at the NPT = Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in January. did.
However, the meeting was postponed due to the influence of the new coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Russia has launched a military invasion of Ukraine, and President Putin has repeatedly threatened by mentioning nuclear weapons.
We asked Mr. Wada, who has been appealing for the abolition of nuclear weapons, about her current thoughts.
* The following "" is Mr. Wada's comment.
Invasion of Ukraine "I felt'human sinfulness'"
On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine.
How do you feel about the current world situation?
"When I first heard the news, I felt'human sinfulness'.
Of course I was angry, but I was sad or scared.
And, as the preamble of the UNESCO Charter says,'War is. It happens in the hearts of man. ”President Putin says the cause of this war, but I think
it
is nothing but his ambition.
I strongly think that this is absolutely unforgivable, whether it is okay to start with the thoughts of one person or to treat the lives of others so lightly on the premise of killing and being killed. I did. "
Concerns about the use of nuclear weapons "Is our voice not heard?"
What about Putin's order to raise deterrence to special alerts with nuclear forces in mind, and widespread concerns that nuclear weapons may be used?
"I'm wondering,'What did we come to?'. It's
been 66 years since the union was formed, and 77 years since the bombing.
During that time, we are afraid of what nuclear weapons bring .
I've been telling you that.
I went to foreign countries as well as Japan, and no matter how many times I was rejected, I didn't give up and said, "Save yourself and save the crisis of humankind through our experience. We have been here for a long time,
and finally, an international law called the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been established.
(Note: A treaty prohibiting the use, development, possession, etc. of nuclear weapons. )
Nevertheless, I thought, "Isn't our voice reaching?"
"Everyone was really happy when the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was signed. The A-bomb survivors with an average age of 84 were" I'm really glad
I
was alive "and" It was worth the effort. "
In the image of, I really felt that the big iron door opened a little with a rusty iron door making a "ghee" noise,
but I thought that the door opened a little and looked inside. When I saw it, there was a huge armament, and
every day, every day, there were a lot of new weapons such as nuclear weapons, which made
me gloomy
. However, I think that all the other politicians, including Japan, do not know the actual situation of the atomic bombing,
so I wonder if our efforts were still insufficient.
I have my own testimony .
I fully understand that it is not enough.
I remember nothing at the time of the bombing at 1 year and 10 months, and I can only talk about what I heard from my mother.
Still, I wonder if I have to talk .
I'm strong now. "
Remarks on the review of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles "I think I'm ignorant."
In response to the situation in Ukraine, Japan has been making a series of remarks on the policy of sharing and operating US nuclear weapons among allies and the revision of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.
How do you feel about these voices in Japan, the only country exposed to the war?
"I think I'm ignorant. I don't know the truth about the bombing. The
politicians said,'Don't taboo the debate.' It's
taboo.
I'm President Putin and other politicians. What I want to say to us is, "If nuclear weapons are to be used, you will die.
" "Are you the only one standing in a world where no one is left in the nuclear war?"
Imagine that
. "
"A-bombed past it may really be repeated"
It has been decided that the NPT review meeting, which has been repeatedly postponed due to the effects of the new coronavirus, will be held in August.
At the conference that was supposed to be held in January, Mr. Wada was planning to give a speech on behalf of the A-bomb survivors, but the situation in the world changed completely in two months.
What do you want to sue again now?
"Everyone was surprised by President Putin's remarks about nuclear weapons, and I think he had a little thought that he shouldn't use nuclear weapons.
So what happens if nuclear weapons are used now? I think we have to make a strong statement again. "
"The only thing I can do is make everyone aware of the horror of nuclear weapons, but my thoughts on what I say are a little different
. That's why I said I shouldn't repeat it, but now I have the feeling that it's about to be repeated, and that
's why I think it's different. "
A speech prepared by Mr. Wada for the NPT = Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference scheduled for January.
In it, there is the following passage.
Some have created the atomic bomb, some have used it, and some have been pleased with its power and results.
I had an unforgivable feeling.
However, the A-bomb survivors have never wished for retaliation for it.
A-bomb survivors know that if nuclear weapons, whether intentional or accidental, are used three times, no one will be willing to see the consequences.
Who can be proud of national power, status and honor in the atomic field where everything is gone?
Nuclear weapons that continue to be made while saying that they are not used for deterrence are nothing but the negative legacy of humankind.
The power of nuclear weapons is not justice.
The thoughts I put in this passage ...
The world situation surrounding nuclear weapons has changed completely.
Have your thoughts in this passage changed?
"A-bomb survivors have come here just because they don't want them to have the same experience as themselves.
Of course, I personally think that some people hate the United States, which dropped the atomic bomb.
However, the A-bomb survivors have worked hard until now, thinking that they must overcome and overcome it and do what they should do.
So
, considering that, nuclear weapons should never be used. A
-bomb survivors I want you to know again how you worked hard.
There are really no people who can testify .
It's not every year, it's decreasing every month, and it's really time.
That's why I think I have to speak up now.
"