Letter of Request to US President Biden to Visit the Atomic Bombed Cities

March 22, 2022

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
President
The United States of America

Excellency:

We hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits.

We have become aware that arrangements by the U.S. and Japanese governments have been under way for you to visit Japan in the latter half of May this year. We would like to request that you visit the atomic bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on this occasion.

Our citizens still vividly remember that you stated during your presidential campaign that you “will work to bring us closer to a world without nuclear weapons, so that the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are never repeated.” Your words were a tremendous source of encouragement for us.

On January 3 this year, the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states recognized by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) issued a joint statement, emphasizing the importance of nuclear non-proliferation and their commitment to their NPT obligations, including Article VI. Furthermore, on January 21, the U.S. and Japan released a joint statement on the NPT to call upon all States Parties to contribute to delivering a meaningful outcome at the 10th Review Conference. We believe that all these actions are underpinned by your strong determination to work for a nuclear-free world.

However, the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia is heightening the risk posed by nuclear weapons, causing a serious blow to the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime which has been established by the international community. Feeling a strong sense of crisis amid these circumstances, we earnestly hope that you will display even stronger leadership as a person who advocates for a world free from nuclear weapons.        

That is why we ask you to take the lead by visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which the U.S. and Japan asked of political leaders, youth, and others around the world in the above joint statement. Through coming face to face with the realities of the atomic bombings firsthand and listening to the voices of the hibakusha, you will be able to send a message with unshaking resolution from the atomic-bombed cities. We firmly believe that it will help put an end to the current situation and will provide an opportunity to once again foster momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons.

We, the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, would wholeheartedly welcome your visit.

In closing, we extend our best wishes for your good health and every success in your endeavors.

Respectfully,

MATSUI Kazumi  
Mayor          
The City of Hiroshima

TAUE Tomihisa    
Mayor                           
The City of Nagasaki