Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty "Requirements for Effectiveness" Up to 50 Countries One More Country October 24, 5:10

The number of countries and regions that have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which bans the development, possession and use of nuclear weapons, has reached 49, leaving only one to 50, which is a requirement for entry into force.

International NGOs promoting the treaty have expressed strong expectations that the 50th ratification is near.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a treaty that prohibits the development, possession, and use of nuclear weapons, as it violates international law applicable in the event of an armed conflict, and was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly three years ago in 2017.



Ratification of 50 countries and regions is a requirement for the treaty to come into effect, but on the 23rd, it was revealed that Jamaica and Nauru had ratified it at a meeting held by the countries promoting the treaty.



As a result, the number of countries and regions that have ratified has increased by two from 47 to 49, leaving only one to 50.



The treaty is to come into effect 90 days after ratification reaches 50, and the international NGO ICAN = International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, which participated in the meeting, expressed strong expectations that the 50th ratification would be near.



If the treaty comes into effect, it will be the first treaty to make nuclear weapons illegal, but nuclear-weapon states such as the United States, Russia, and China, and allies such as Japan, which depend on the nuclear deterrence of the United States, have not participated.



On the other hand, the countries promoting the treaty and ICAN are closely watching the trends of the countries working on ratification, with the intention of raising international public opinion and increasing pressure toward the abolition of nuclear weapons by taking effect.

A-bombed Setsuko Thurlow in Hiroshima "I feel the solidarity of many people in the world"

At the online meeting, Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of Hiroshima, who has been calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and talked about her experiences around the world for many years, also made a speech from her home.



In this, Mr. Thurlow said that the conditions for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to come into effect are approaching. "The end of nuclear weapons is really about to begin. I was so happy that I couldn't stand up, and I was in tears. And so many people in the world feel the power of solidarity. "



On top of that, "I am thinking of the innocent people who died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, such as the aunt who died in Hiroshima, Eiji, a 4-year-old man at the time, relatives, and school alumni. I am another survivor. In the same way, he has vowed for many years that he will not waste those who have died and that no one will experience the same kind of suffering again. A treaty banning nuclear weapons will soon be called international law. I am full of accomplishment, satisfaction, and gratitude for what I am doing. "



"The preamble to the treaty is engraved with the letters of the A-bomb survivors. Until the nuclear weapons are completely gone, the world is at risk and we cannot


rest

assured.

We, the A-bomb survivors, will reach the day when nuclear weapons will be abolished

.

However, the treaty will one day be a beautiful day for the abolition of nuclear weapons. A new effort to abolish it will begin, "he emphasized the significance of the treaty.

Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty What is the position of the Japanese government?

Japan has opposed the resolution in 2016 calling for the start of negotiations on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and has not participated in the 2017 treaty negotiations or the treaty itself.



Regarding the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Government of Japan states that "as the only country exposed to the war, we share the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons."



On the other hand, he emphasized the importance of US nuclear deterrence under the Japan-US alliance, saying, "It is difficult to use conventional weapons alone to deter opponents like North Korea who hint at the use of nuclear weapons." I will.



He also pointed out that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons does not take these security perspectives into consideration. It may be acceptable to be exposed to. "



Furthermore, the treaty has not been endorsed by countries as threatened by nuclear weapons as Japan, and has expressed concern that it is causing divisions in the international community working on nuclear disarmament.



For this reason, Japan will persistently promote realistic and practical activities as a bridge between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states, and will form a cross-regional group of non-nuclear-weapon states. It is said that it is working on communication.



In response, the United Nations is calling on countries that have not signed the treaty to participate in the conferences of the Parties as observers, and is looking forward to Japan's participation.