On the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the 2017 World Conference against A and H Bombs called on the peoples of the world to launch international join international simultaneous actions “Peace Wave” to urge all national governments to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons from September 20, the day when the Treaty will be open for signatures, until 26, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted on July 7 this year with the support of 122 States. It is a groundbreaking treaty to open a path to achieve the total elimination of nuclear weapons, which has long been aspired by the Hibakusha and the peoples of the entire world. Declaring that nuclear weapons are inhumane weapons in violation of international law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law, the treaty prohibits the development, production, tests, manufacturing, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons.
Among the 193 member states of the United Nations, only 9 countries are in possession of nuclear weapons. If they decide, it is possible to achieve a nuclear weapon-free world within the lifetime of the Hibakusha.
Turning its back on this historic opportunity, the government of Japan has clung to the “nuclear umbrella” of the U.S. and refused to join this treaty. It is not only absolutely contrary to the wishes of the Hibakusha and the people of the A-bombed nation, but is a violation of the Constitution of Japan that forever renounces all wars.
The “Peace Wave” will start from Japan at noon, September 20, and circle around the globe, linking actions in different countries to call on all governments of the world to join the treaty. In response to the call by the World Conference against A and H Bombs, we call on all of you to organize actions, setting the common goal as “Abolition of nuclear weapons – Urging all governments of the world to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons” and including the “Hibakusha Appeal International Signature Campaign” as a common action.
In Japan, we will carry out:
*At noon, September 20, we will declare the start of “Peace Wave” in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Tokyo, and conduct a wide variety of actions, including the street signature campaigns nationwide.
*Together with the Hibakusha, we will stage the “Orizuru (peace crane) Action” from 1:30pm in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, Tokyo to urge Prime Minister Abe and the government of Japan to sign the Treaty. We will also visit the embassies of nuclear weapon possessing countries to call for their joining in the treaty.
*We will continue to carry out actions at various parts of Japan and on September 26, we will join a large scale of signature campaign to be initiated by the Signature Campaign Promotion Committee.
We will call on all of you to join the “Peace Wave” actions to circle the glove. Let us start planning/preparations for a success of the starting actions and greater variety of activities at your local communities, workplaces, school campuses and all around the world.
In many countries plans are already being made to mark the occasion, and the International Peace Bureau and other organizations are promoting these actions in support of the “Peace Wave.”
Please send us your action plans to us. We will translate them into Japanese language and spread them to the Japanese movements, and instead, we will send out to you the plans of Japan to link all actions in the world and strengthen solidarity each other. We will appreciate very much your disseminating this call in your networks and links.
Looking forward to working together for “Peace Wave”.
Peace Wave Task Force
Organizing Committee of the World Conference against A and H Bombs