The forthcoming G7 summit scheduled in Hiroshima carries great significance as it presents a unique opportunity for survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to advocate for worldwide nuclear disarmament. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who hails from Hiroshima, purposely selected this location to underscore the critical nature of global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. This occurs amidst a backdrop of escalating nuclear tensions resulting from Russia’s actions in Ukraine, as well as the assertiveness exhibited by China and North Korea.
During the summit, G7 leaders visited Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, where they were guided through exhibits and met a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing. Kishida plans to replicate this experience for leaders from guest nations. However, some critics question Kishida’s commitment to disarmament, pointing out Japan’s reliance on the United States’ nuclear deterrent and its military expansion.
One survivor, Sueichi Kido, expresses skepticism regarding Kishida’s ability to persuade G7 leaders, including nuclear powers such as the U.S., U.K., and France, to make significant progress in disarmament. Nevertheless, Kido holds onto hope that the summit’s venue will inspire positive discussions and some advancements in nuclear disarmament.
The devastating impact of the atomic bombings, which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands, is still vividly remembered. Kido hopes that leaders will spend more time in the museum exhibits than former U.S. President Barack Obama did during his visit in 2016. These exhibits portray the aftermath and destruction caused by the bombings.
Kishida has faced criticism from atomic bomb survivors for his proposed initiatives to increase Japan’s defense budget and enhance its military capabilities as a response to the growing threat posed by China. Additionally, Japan aims to strengthen its trilateral relationship with the United States and South Korea to bolster nuclear deterrence. Despite appeals from survivors of the atomic bombings, Japan has opted not to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Kishida’s dedication to achieving a world without nuclear weapons has been strengthened by his grandmother’s firsthand accounts of the bombings. His experiences representing the people of Hiroshima have further solidified his commitment.
During the upcoming summit, Kishida’s primary objective is to garner support from nuclear-armed nations for his Hiroshima Action Plan. This plan advocates for the non-use of nuclear weapons, promotes transparency, and calls for the reduction of nuclear stockpiles.
The number of hibakusha, survivors who can provide firsthand accounts of the bombings, is declining. Kido, who was only five years old during the Nagasaki bombing, vividly recalls the devastation he witnessed. He, along with other survivors, wants to ensure that no one else experiences the pain of becoming a hibakusha. They believe that the abolition of atomic weapons and the avoidance of war are the only ways to achieve this.
After years of silence, survivors began sharing their experiences, hoping that future generations would carry on their mission. The encouragement from younger generations played a significant role in the nuclear weapons ban treaty and the International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017.
The G7 summit in Hiroshima not only provides a crucial platform for Kishida’s government to promote nuclear disarmament but also offers an important opportunity for survivors to share their stories and aspirations for a world free of nuclear weapons.
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