Protest letter against the US nuclear test (August 20, 2013)

August 20, 2013

His Excellency Mr. Barack Obama
President
The United States of America

Letter of Protest

Your country has announced that another test of the Z-Machine involving plutonium was conducted sometime between April and June this year at a research facility in New Mexico.

These repeated Z-Machine and subcritical tests lead us to believe that the United States intends to cling to its nuclear stockpile indefinitely, ignoring our wish for peace. Along with arousing suspicion regarding your intentions, they have betrayed the hopes of the hibakusha and the millions of others who seek a nuclear-weapon-free world. Such actions are completely unacceptable, and on behalf of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima, I vehemently protest.

I feel strong indignation regarding the fact that you continue to conduct nuclear tests despite the fact that you have demonstrated your commitment to nuclear disarmament this June by inviting Russia to start negotiations regarding further reduction of nuclear weapons. I urge you to stop betraying our hopes. Please contemplate the agonizing experience of the survivors of the bombing, understand their sincere wish for peace, and strive for the earliest possible realization of a world free from nuclear weapons.

MATSUI Kazumi
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima

August 20, 2013

Mr. Kurt Tong
Charge d’Affaires ad interim
Embassy of the United States of America in Japan

Letter of Protest

Your country has announced that another test of the Z-Machine involving plutonium was conducted sometime between April and June this year at a research facility in New Mexico.

These repeated Z-Machine and subcritical tests lead us to believe that the United States intends to cling to its nuclear stockpile indefinitely, ignoring our wish for peace. Along with arousing suspicion regarding your intentions, they have betrayed the hopes of the hibakusha and the millions of others who seek a nuclear-weapon-free world. Such actions are completely unacceptable, and on behalf of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima, I vehemently protest.

I feel strong indignation regarding the fact that your country continues to conduct nuclear tests despite the fact that President Obama has demonstrated his commitment to nuclear disarmament this June by inviting Russia to start negotiations regarding further reduction of nuclear weapons. I urge your country to stop betraying our hopes. Please contemplate the agonizing experience of the survivors of the bombing, understand their sincere wish for peace, and strive for the earliest possible realization of a world free from nuclear weapons.

MATSUI Kazumi
Mayor
The City of Hiroshima

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