Thank you for your continued support for and cooperation in the Hiroshima Prefectural Government’s promotion of peace.

 

Achieving a peaceful international community without nuclear weapons is a long-cherished hope of the survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the first in human history, who are still experiencing enormous suffering 75 years after the bombing, and an important mission for us in Hiroshima, the prefecture that suffered the unprecedented tragedy caused by the bombing.

 

Recently, the growing gap between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states and stagnation in progress toward nuclear disarmament have made the situation concerning nuclear weapons more serious. We are greatly concerned that the lack of effective improvement efforts will lead to a limitless nuclear arms race.

 

In this serious situation, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is an effective means to achieve a peaceful world without nuclear weapons, and effectuation of this treaty would be a massive step toward a peaceful world without nuclear weapons, which Japan has long aimed for.

 

Although the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted with 122 countries/regions in favor, by the present point of time (March 24, 2020) over two years after its adoption, only 81 countries/regions have signed it, and only 36 countries/regions have completed the procedure for its domestic ratification, which is required for the treaty’s effectuation. We still have a long, difficult road to follow to the treaty’s effectuation.

 

In consideration of this situation, we urge the Japanese government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as early as possible.

In addition, we request that, in the event that the treaty comes into effect before ratification in your country, your government attend conferences of parties to the treaty that will be held after effectuation as an observer.

 

March 26, 2020
YUZAKI Hidehiko
Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture