May 13, 2018 | Yayoi Tsuchida

In the present world, we are witnessing fierce conflict over nuclear weapons: Whether we go forward to achieve a nuclear weapon-free peaceful world or we continue to remain living under the danger and threats of nuclear weapons?

Humanity is heading for a world without nuclear weapons

The adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on July 7, 2017 is a historic advance towards a world without nuclear weapons. With this treaty, nuclear weapons became illegal for the first time in human history and a basis for the elimination of nuclear weapons was established. The treaty prohibits all activities relating to nuclear weapons, including their development, testing, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, and stockpiling.　Please imagine how much safer the world would be if the treaty prevails in the world and, for instance, in the ongoing exchanges between US and North Korea and South Korea.

Reality and danger over nuclear weapons

Then, why did the international community move to the adoption of this treaty?

First, nuclear weapons are inhumane weapons inflicting enormous calamity on humankind. Since the 2010 NPT Review Conference, the humanitarian initiative of nuclear weapons to raise awareness of their inhumanity, promoted by many governments, the Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) and civil society, has revealed that irrespective of the cause, any nuclear weapon explosion would bring the immediate, mid- and long-term catastrophic damage to human health, environment, infrastructure, food security, climate, development, social cohesion and the global economy beyond borders; and no national or international response capacity can adequately respond to the human suffering and humanitarian harm that this causes. It is common knowledge that for the very survival of humanity, nuclear weapons must never be used again under any circumstances; and the elimination of nuclear weapons is the only guarantee for avoiding the risk of nuclear weapons use.

In spite of such a conclusion about the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons, about 15,000 nuclear weapons still exist on earth. Thousands of these are put on the hair-trigger alert. Their existence entails risks and likelihood of the authorized or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons. We need to remember that there was a mistaken warning of an incoming ballistic missile attack in Hawaii; such a matter may lead to a possible breakout of nuclear war.

Second, because the current world is very dangerous. A grave example is the US-North Korea confrontation in which both sides do not rule out using nuclear weapons. Ex-Secretary of Defense of the US William Perry said that if military option was taken, “it could be the huge consequences of a war; as bad as the first Korean War was, a war in the Korean Peninsula that extends to Japan and that goes nuclear would be 10 times worse; and we’re talking about casualties that equal those of World War II.” Fortunately, at this moment, there are moves for dialogue between North and South Koreas and between North Korea and the US. Of course, we hope that they will open up the way for peaceful settlement. However, the situation is still unpredictable.

Since Trump took office, confrontation between US and Russia has intensified with the escalation of nuclear arms race. The US Nuclear Posture Review, released in February 2018, is a head-on challenge to worldwide efforts to proceed to a world without nuclear weapons. It sets out the blurring of the distinction between conventional and nuclear war; the development and deployment of low-yield nuclear weapons like Hiroshima-type bomb for their actual use in war; and even making preemptive nuclear strikes to conventional weapons attacks. In Europe, conflict between Russia and US-NATO has deepened over the encirclement of Russia by US missile defense system. To counter this, Russia has developed new modernized anti-missile system. In addition, there are the involvement of nuclear powers in Syrian and other disputes. In Asia, there are China, North Korea, India and Pakistan. They are involved in territorial disputes and confronting each other. Asia is also a region where a nuclear-free order should be established.

Nuclear possessing states and nuclear umbrella states are opposed to the prohibition treaty. The US has put strong pressure on its allies and aid receiving countries not to sign and ratify it. In spite of having experienced the A-bomb attack, Japan is opposed to it. Even among US allies, it stands out in subordination to the US. Japan only focused on provocations and military threats over the North Korean nuclear issue, trampling underfoot the peace Constitution.

From the prohibition treaty to the abolition of nuclear weapons

In order to ensure peace and security of the world, we have to overcome this reality, with confidence that people’s long-term persistent effort brought about the treaty; and as the treaty was adopted by the support of 122 states, the overwhelming majority of states support and are trying to go forward towards a peaceful world without nuclear weapons. Those opposing and resisting it are just about 30 countries. If they are broken down by region, they are only USA and Canada in North-South American continent, only South Korea and Japan in Asia and only Australia and Micronesian Federation in the Pacific.

There is also hopeful development over the North Korean issue, which shows that the argument of nuclear weapon states that nuclear deterrence ensures security does not hold water; like Japan, those obstructing peaceful settlement only get isolated.

We have to proceed to the abolition of nuclear weapons based on the achievement of the treaty. The key is to develop public support and people’s campaigns for banning and eliminating nuclear weapons worldwide. Because a nuclear explosion affects everybody in the world, we have to mobilize more than 7 billion world population to this task. Such action is most needed now and it will greatly contribute to the effectuation of the treaty leading to a world without nuclear weapons.

For this objective, I will propose the following people’s campaigns:

• To carry out the Hibakusha Appeal signature campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The signature campaign is an effective way to build up public opinion from grass-roots. This international campaign was launched by the Hibakusha in 2016 to build up support for their Appeal for the elimination of nuclear weapons in their lifetime. In Japan, more than 5 million signatures, including those of more than1000 mayors and governors, were collected in the past 2 years; the signature campaign promotion committee, consisted of wide range of local government heads, civil society organizations and individuals, was established in 24 prefectures, which accounts for more than half of all prefectures. The campaign has spread to 42 countries. And the collected petitions have been submitted to the UN, contributing to the adoption of the treaty.
• To make known to people of your country the A-bomb damage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We the movement of A-bombed country will send out A-bomb photo sets and booklets/DVDs of testimonies of the Hibakusha abroad. Please hold A-bomb exhibitions and organize meetings to hear the Hibakusha’s stories at your communities and schools, etc. We will send the Hibakusha, too.
• To urge your government to sign and ratify the prohibition treaty.

The Hibakusha wish to collect hundreds of millions of signatures worldwide. Let’s work together for achieving a nuclear weapon-free world.

*** PEACE AND SECURITY IN ASIA AND EUROPE: CHALLENGES AND PEOPLE’S VISION | Quang Ninh, Vietnam, 14-16 April 2018

Yayoi TsuchidaAssistant is the General Secretary Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo)