Ⅰ．Outline
On February 18, 2005, Mayors for Peace, together with the National Council of Japan Nuclear Free Local Authorities, requested to the five official nuclear-weapon states including the U.S., Russia, the U.K., France and China through their embassies in Japan as well as the Japanese Government. The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki visited the embassies and passed the letter of request to the heads of state and called for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting world peace.
Ⅱ．Summary of the Requests
1. Japanese Government (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Received by: The Hon. Mr. Shuzen Tanigawa, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
Summary of the reply to our request:
- ・While the abolition of nuclear weapons is still difficult even 60 years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, appeals made by municipalities at the UN will be significant.
- ・The abolition of nuclear weapons is an earnest desire of the human race. We see the milestone of the sixtieth anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki as an opportunity for effective action in that direction.
- ・Local authorities should be encouraged to declare their municipalities as nuclear free zones.
- ・It might be effective to arrange for the Mayor of Hatsukaichi City (Hiroshima Prefecture) to appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons at the United Nations as an A-bomb survivor. Foreign Ministry officials will consider the possibility.
- ・The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will strengthen its efforts for disarmament education and consider study tours to Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Letter of Request: Click here to see the letter of request to the Japanese Government
2. Embassy of the United States in Japan
Received by: The Hon. Michael W. Michalak, Minister, Deputy Chief of Mission
Summary of the reply to our request:
- ・As a state party to NPT and a supporter of the IAEA, the United States is striving to achieve the goals of the NPT, including the total elimination of the nuclear weapons.
- ・The U.S. is making efforts for nuclear disarmament and has reduced 10,000 nuclear arsenals.
- ・Because nuclear proliferation is also a U.S. concern, it cooperates with the Japanese Government in efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
- ・The United States would like, at the NPT Review Conference, to strengthen the IAEA and its safeguards.
- ・The letter of request will be sent to the U.S. Government for consideration in determining its actions during the NPT Review Conference.
Letter of Request: Click here to see the Letter of Request to the U.S.
3. Embassy of the Russian Federation in Japan
Received by: The Honorable Mr. Gennadii Ovechko, Counsellor
Summary of the reply to our request:
- ・Every Letter of Request will be promptly sent to Moscow.
- ・The Government of the Russian Federation has been making efforts to protect the NPT regime and will continue to maintain its basic position.
Letter of Request:
Click here to see the letter of request to the Russian Federation
4. Embassy of France in Japan
Received by: His Excellency Mr. Bernard de Montferand, Ambassador of Franceto Japan
Summary of the reply to our request:
- ・We will sincerely take into account the content of the message.
- ・On this 60th anniversary of the end of the World War Ⅱ, a number of memorial events are taking place also in Europe. People tend not to remember the painful past, but on such occasions thinking past suffering is significant.
- ・Protecting nations requires establishing trust relationships. All weapons of mass-destruction must be abolished. United Nations organizations should be reinforced to establish orderly multilateral relationships around the world.
- ・The nuclear weapons possessed by France are the minimum amount necessary for national security.
- ・France has ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and ended testing at its Pacific Ocean test site. We are trying to stop the manufacture of nuclear products for military purposes.
- ・The Letter of Request will be sent to France and used as reference for the NPT Review Conference.
Letter of Request: Click here to see the letter of request to the France
5. Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan
Received by: The Hon. Mr. Cheng Yong Hua, Minister
Summary of the reply to our request:
- ・China well understands the aim of the request.
- ・We need to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary to think about the issue of abolishing nuclear weapons.
- ・China’s attitude toward nuclear issues is responsible.
- ・We have promised not to use our small nuclear arsenal against non-nuclear states or make preemptive nuclear attacks.
- ・Both publicly and behind the scenes, China is making great efforts to solve the nuclear issue in Korean Peninsula. We will never allow North Korea to possess nuclear weapons, and will continue to participate in the six-party talks.
Letter of Request: The Letter of Request:Click here for the Letter of Request to China
6. British Embassy in Japan
Received by: His Excellency Mr. Graham H. Fry, British Ambassador to Japan
Summary of the reply to our request:
- ・We understand the requests from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- ・The United Kingdom will call for other nations to comply with the NPT.
- ・UK nuclear policy is determined by the UK Government and its citizens, but the UK Government will continue to make efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
- ・The requests will be conveyed to the UK Government.
Letter of Request: The Letter of Request:Click here for the Letter of Request to the United Kingdom