Key Facts
• August 5, 2025: Debate on nuclear abolition held in Hiroshima.
• Participants included hibakusha and lawmakers from ruling and opposition parties.
• Discussions centered on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
• Lawmakers expressed support for treaty ratification and observer participation.
• Government criticized for rejecting observer participation in treaty meetings.
• Ruling party member Terada Minoru suggested formal participation if disarmament progresses.
• Concerns raised over candidates promoting nuclear weapons as cost-effective.
• Hibakusha leader Tanaka Terumi urged lawmakers to demand global leadership from the government.
• Event co-hosted by two NGOs: Nuclear Weapons Abolition Japan NGO Network and Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.
• Two political parties, Sanseitō and Japan Conservative Party, did not attend.
Summary
A debate on nuclear abolition was held in Hiroshima on August 5, 2025, featuring hibakusha and lawmakers from various political parties. Discussions focused on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, with many lawmakers expressing support for ratification and observer participation. However, the government faced criticism for its continued rejection of observer participation. Ruling party member Terada Minoru suggested formal treaty participation if disarmament processes become routine, while concerns were raised about candidates promoting nuclear weapons as cost-effective. Hibakusha leader Tanaka Terumi emphasized the need for concrete proposals and urged lawmakers to push the government to take global leadership in nuclear abolition. The event was co-hosted by two NGOs, but Sanseitō and the Japan Conservative Party did not participate.
