Peace Declaration (1993)

August 6th, the day the people of Hiroshima can never forget, has come again. In recalling the living hell that arose in our city forty-eight years ago, we strongly appeal to the conscience of the world in declaring that the development and possession of nuclear weapons is a sin against humanity.

Since the tragedy that befell Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear weapons have not been used nor have they accidentally exploded, yet there is no guarantee that such things will never happen in the future.

Recently, the United States, Russia, and France have extended the moratorium on nuclear testing. Although this is a step in the right direction, nuclear weapons are still piled up in great numbers on this planet and pose a grave threat to humankind.

Therefore, as we declared this April at the United Nations NGO Special Session Devoted to Disarmament, we hereby express our great fear of the move by the countries with nuclear weapons to extend indefinitely the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is due to expire in 1995. While admitting that the treaty so far has played an important role, its indefinite extension would not only destabilize relations between the countries with nuclear weapons and those without them, but this would also run counter to our hopes for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Today, the lack of transparency surrounding nuclear power development on the Korean Peninsula and elsewhere is causing uneasiness in the world. The nuclear powers, while observing a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing and honoring the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, should set the goal of total abolition of all nuclear weapons and announce to the world a target date of no later than the year 2000.

We must allow no more environmental contamination caused by accidents at nuclear power plants or the dumping of nuclear waste. Although there has been remarkable technological progress in the peaceful utilization of nuclear power, it is of urgent necessity, from the standpoint of the principle of safety first, to set up an international control system for radioactive material, specifically plutonium, and to ensure transparency at the global level.

With the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Hiroshima in the fall of 1994, what other Asian peoples think of Japan is of direct concern to us. We honestly acknowledge and sincerely regret that our nation in the past, during its colonial rule and in wartime activities, inflicted on people throughout the Asia-Pacific region severe hardships, the scars of which remain deep in their hearts. And we are especially distressed when we contemplate the intense suffering since the war of the many victims of the atomic bombings now living on the Korean Peninsula. In order for us to establish everlasting ties of friendship with the peoples of the Asia-Pacific region, it is imperative that the Japanese Government settle quickly those issues from the post-war period that remain unresolved.

The 3rd World Conference of Mayors for Peace through Inter-city Solidarity is now convening in Hiroshima. In striving for a world free of nuclear weapons and war, the cities participating in the conference are working to marshal international public opinion and are discussing various actions that might be taken in this regard.

With each passing year, the victims of the atomic bombings residing in Japan and abroad, who directly experienced its inhumanity, are growing older. Today, almost half a century after the atomic bombing, it is more urgent than ever that the Government of Japan, in the spirit of national indemnification, take measures to assist these individuals, both materially and spiritually.

At the same time, we must improve the way we educate future generations regarding the history of the atomic bombing and the war. It is a barrenness of spirit that stands in the way of the creation of peace.

Here at the Peace Memorial Ceremony to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, we wish to express our profound condolences for the souls of the victims of the atomic bombing, to continue working toward the establishment of eternal peace, and to pledge ourselves to the promotion of an even deeper understanding of all that "Hiroshima" stands for.

August 6, 1993

Takashi Hiraoka
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima

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