On the 6th, "Atomic Bomb Day", Prime Minister Kishida met with representatives of the atomic bomb survivors' organizations in Hiroshima City and repeatedly emphasized the idea of promoting nuclear disarmament efforts by maintaining and strengthening the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty).
After attending the Peace Memorial Ceremony, Prime Minister Kishida received requests directly from seven groups of A-bomb survivors at a hotel in Hiroshima City.
Among them, the atomic bomb survivors' group called for Japan to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which came into effect last year and the first Conference of the Parties was held in June this year.
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, "I strongly recognize that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is an important treaty on the way to the great ideal of aiming for a world without nuclear weapons. However, there is a harsh reality in front of us. We have to think concretely about how to lead to an exit.To do that, we must think concretely about how to change the response of the countries that possess nuclear weapons and lead to an exit. Among them, China and Russia are also participating in the NPT = Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and we will maintain and strengthen it.
On top of that, he became the first Japanese Prime Minister to attend the NPT Review Conference and urged the nuclear-weapon states to make their nuclear forces transparent. I explained what I had expressed and asked for understanding.
In addition, the relocation of RERF = Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima City, which is jointly operated by the Japanese and U.S. governments as a facility for researching the health effects of atomic bomb radiation, will be realized as soon as possible. As for the request, I showed the idea of accelerating the initiative.
Tomoyuki Minomaki, chairman of Hiroshima Prefectural Hidankyo, who met with Prime Minister Kishida and others, told reporters, "For us hibakusha, we worry that nuclear weapons will disappear in our lifetimes. Mr. Kishida is a difficult handle. However, since the times are moving forward without a clear answer, nuclear weapons must not be used in this context. I was talking.
Another Hiroshima Prefectural Hidankyo secretary-general, Kazuo Okoshi, said, ``The response from Prime Minister Kishida so far has not exceeded the content of our requests to the administration, nor did we expect anything from the hibakusha. I feel frustrated that I have little time left.I want to continue the movement with the rest of my life while hoping that young people will support our activities." .