On Monday, November 13, 2023, the program participants visited the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California, U.S., and engaged in a dialogue and interaction event together with students majoring in weapons of mass destruction and non-proliferation.

1 . Presentations from Caravan Participants

　The participants in the caravan gave presentations on the theme of the G7 Hiroshima Summit and Hiroshima’s role in nuclear disarmament.

Introduction of Hiroshima and the G7 Hiroshima Summit

Hiroshima’s Role for Nuclear Disarmament

2. Panel Discussion

After the presentations from the caravan participants, a panel discussion was held with graduate students from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey to have a deep discussion on nuclear disarmament.

(1) Achievements and Challenges of the G7 Hiroshima Summit and the Hiroshima Vision

[Main Discussion Points]

• It is regrettable that the Hiroshima Vision includes a statement that can be perceived as positive for the theory of nuclear deterrence, but I feel that it was good that the visits by the global leaders drew the world’s attention to Hiroshima.
• Considering that the G7 includes nuclear-weapon states and countries under the nuclear umbrella of the U.S., it is natural that the theory of nuclear deterrence is affirmed in the Hiroshima Vision. With a difficult situation continuing globally, the G7 countries released a document for nuclear disarmament, and I think that this is commendable and a starting point.
• I feel that the Hiroshima Vision lacks specificity in some aspects, but I think that this presents a step toward nuclear disarmament.
• The vision is commendable in that it clearly stipulates that the decline in nuclear arsenals must continue. At the same time, with only China, Russia, and North Korea named in the context of a step toward nuclear disarmament, there is no reference to other states with nuclear weapons and states with the ability to possess nuclear weapons, and this is regrettable.

• It is commendable that nuclear disarmament was discussed at the 7G Summit ahead of many other global issues to be discussed. It is necessary to take up the issue of nuclear disarmament as an even more important challenge.

(2) How to Coordinate the Group of Nuclear Deterrence and the Group of Nuclear Disarmament

[Main Discussion Points]

• In Hiroshima, many young people call for the abolition of nuclear weapons, but they are indifferent to the fact that Japan is under the nuclear umbrella or have little knowledge about nuclear deterrence. I believe that it is necessary to develop broader perspectives, such as those related to international politics and international relations, through education.
• Despite their ambitious nuclear policies, Brazil and Argentina signed the Treaty of Tlatelolco (Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean). This example suggests the importance of multilateral efforts. Moreover, it is important to provide education on the consequences of the use of nuclear weapons so that the education will remind people of the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and stop them short of using the weapons, even if they try to proceed with their nuclear policies.
• Many people in the U.S. feel that if Russia and China abolish their nuclear weapons, the U.S. can also abolish theirs. Even if it is difficult to eliminate nuclear weapons right away, I think that it is important to hold discussions toward realizing a world without nuclear weapons for a better future, regardless of the discussion’s scale or place. It is also important for non-nuclear-weapon states to engage in dialogue with nuclear-weapon states with the aim of reducing risks and preventing misuse. By having discussions again and again, even if they are small in scale, we can prepare for big changes, as we have done after the Cold War.

3.Lectures

The panel discussion was followed by lectures by professors and researchers from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey and the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies regarding nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation.

4． Voices of Caravan Participants

• I’m glad that our presentations served as an opportunity for the audience to reconsider the threat of nuclear weapons.
• I felt that it is important to continue to work on issues involving complex factors without at least retreating.
• I think we had a realistic discussion on nuclear issues, including nuclear deterrence, from a perspective different from that of Hiroshima.
• The opinion that it is essential to think about the kind of world we want to achieve after the abolition of nuclear weapons has broadened my horizons.

• I’m interested in the presentation on the speculation of a military operation based on information from satellites and social media.