石破いしば首相しゅしょう 被爆ひばく体験たいけん者しゃ団体だんたい代表だいひょうと面会めんかい 「時間じかんないこと強つよく認識にんしき」

Prime Minister Ishiba met with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors and atomic bomb experience survivors who are not officially recognized as survivors in Nagasaki City. He conveyed his intention to provide support, such as introducing interactive exhibits utilizing digital technology at the Atomic Bomb Museum, as the aging of survivors and the passing down of memories have become pressing issues.

Prime Minister Ishiba, after attending the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Nagasaki City, met at a hotel in the city with representatives of groups of atomic bomb survivors and representatives of groups of atomic bomb experience survivors—those who are not officially recognized as survivors because they were outside the designated areas set by the government when the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.

In this context, the representative of the organization called for measures such as promptly recognizing atomic bomb survivors as hibakusha, fundamentally revising the criteria for certifying atomic bomb-related illnesses, signing and ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and urging the U.S. President to visit Nagasaki.

In response, Prime Minister Ishiba said, I have heard that the average age of the atomic bomb survivors is now 86, and I want to once again strongly recognize that there is no more time.

He pointed out that more energy than ever before is needed to pass down the reality of war and the atomic bombings to the next generation.

On top of that, they expressed their intention to continue working on speeding up the screening process for atomic bomb disease certification, as well as to support efforts such as preserving bombed buildings like the former Shiroyama National School, which is designated as a national historic site, and introducing interactive exhibits using digital technology at the Atomic Bomb Museum.

During a meeting where a written request was submitted to the Prime Minister calling for actions such as “joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,” Dr. Masao Tomonaga, who himself is a hibakusha and has long studied the effects of radiation exposure on the human body, handed over the request on behalf of the various organizations.

Among these, they are calling for participation in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, relief for atomic bomb survivors who are not officially recognized as such because they were outside the areas designated by the government at the time of the bombing, and enhanced support for aging survivors.

Next, Mr. Koichi Kawano, chairman of the Prefectural Peace Movement Center Hibakusha Liaison Council, said, This year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing.

We request the government to resolve the issue promptly and deliver quick results without prolonging the matter.

I would like to ask the government to sincerely address the remaining issues, he appealed.

In response, Prime Minister Ishiba said, Once again, I strongly feel that Nagasaki must be the last place to suffer an atomic bombing.

He stated, The atomic bomb survivors are aging, and we also want to strongly recognize that there is no more time, and added, Along with the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, I believe we must consider how to ensure deterrence.