Distinguished religious leaders, political leaders, leaders from the United Nations, international organizations, and peace movements, and the host, the Community of Sant’Egidio, on behalf of Rissho Kosei-kai(RKK), I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for this invaluable opportunity to share my view on the theme of “Remembers the victims and imagine a world without nuclear weapons.”
On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m., a gun-type atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and on August 9, at 11:02 a.m., an implosion-type atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. As a result, countless people were severely affected as "hibakusha" (atomic bomb survivors). The impact was as follows:
In Hiroshima, an estimated 140,000 people died by the end of 1945, and in Nagasaki, approximately 70,000 people perished. Many were killed instantly by the blast and fire, while those who survived the initial explosion later died from radiation sickness or due to a lack of medical care. Hibakusha exposed to radiation suffered from acute symptoms such as hair loss, nausea, and bleeding, with many succumbing within weeks or months. Long-term effects included an increased risk of cancer, leukemia, and immune deficiencies.
Many survivors continue to live with the trauma of losing loved ones and the terror of the explosion, leading to widespread mental health issues, including PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Due to the lack of knowledge about radiation at the time, hibakusha faced discrimination in marriage and employment, living in constant fear of passing on radiation effects to future generations.
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki demonstrated the catastrophic destructive power and humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons to the world. During the Cold War, the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons accelerated, and the threat of nuclear war persists today.
The current situation with nuclear weapons presents new challenges and risks, different from those of the Cold War era. Nuclear-armed states continue to regard nuclear weapons as essential strategic deterrents, and progress on nuclear disarmament has stalled.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), adopted by the United Nations in 2017, aims for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. However, nuclear-armed states and their allies have not joined this treaty, limiting its effectiveness. Nevertheless, the treaty emphasizes the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons and has spurred global discussions on nuclear abolition.
The risk of nuclear terrorism remains a global concern, as the possibility of terrorists gaining access to nuclear materials or technology persists. Attacks on nuclear facilities by Ukraine and Russia have also emerged as new threats.
Nearly 80 years have passed since the atomic bombings, and the average age of hibakusha has exceeded 80. With aging, there has been an increase in health issues such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, which are believed to be exacerbated by radiation exposure.
Many hibakusha require ongoing medical support for long-term health effects caused by radiation. The Japanese government provides special medical allowances and screenings, but issues with access to medical care and the quality of treatment remain.
Moreover, with aging, more hibakusha are losing family and friends, leading to social isolation. Maintaining connections with communities and support groups is crucial, but this requires continued support.
It is essential to remember that hibakusha, while victims, have also played a vital role in the international community. Hiroshima and Nagasaki hibakusha groups have contributed to global peace movements, advocating for the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the United Nations and other forums. Despite facing health and social challenges, hibakusha continue their efforts toward nuclear abolition and peace. Passing on their experiences and voices to future generations is a critical task.
So, what would a world without nuclear weapons look like? It would be a safer and more peaceful world, where the fear of nuclear weapons being used in wars or international conflicts does not exist. However, achieving this requires international cooperation and overcoming many political, military, and social challenges.
To maintain a world without nuclear weapons, peace education for future generations is indispensable. Beyond learning about the horrors and destructive power of nuclear weapons, it is vital to teach the importance of dialogue and coexistence for sustaining peace.
To realize a world without nuclear weapons, religious leaders must provide moral and ethical leadership, spreading the values of peace and humanity.
The first role is moral leadership. Religious leaders can emphasize how the use and existence of nuclear weapons fundamentally violate human dignity and ethics. They must spread a moral message advocating nuclear abolition by communicating the inhumane impacts of nuclear weapons, particularly the suffering of hibakusha in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Religious leaders can promote dialogue between different religions and cultures, serving as bridges to build a common ethical foundation for nuclear abolition. This would strengthen international consensus on the necessity of nuclear disarmament.
The second role is education and awareness. Religious leaders can engage in peace education within their communities, teaching the dangers of nuclear weapons and the importance of peace. They can use religious institutions and communities to offer opportunities to convey the significance of nuclear abolition and instill the values of peace in future generations.
The third role is to convey the voices of hibakusha, including those from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Religious leaders can memorialize the suffering and experiences of hibakusha through religious ceremonies and events, ensuring that the lessons of the nuclear bombings are passed down to future generations.
Religious leaders can provide spaces for mourning and remembrance of the victims of nuclear weapons and offer prayers for nuclear abolition. This can raise awareness of nuclear disarmament while honoring the victims.
Many religious leaders and organizations are already engaged in these activities. Rissho Kosei-kai, to which I belong, has collaborated with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) to implement the "Raising Public Awareness of Peace, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation through Education Programs." We are committed to continuing our efforts toward nuclear abolition and disarmament.
Religion teaches the equal dignity of all life. Our mission, given by the divine, is to realize a world where "all life is interconnected, supporting one another, and living in brilliance." We must fulfill this mission with unceasing prayer and tireless action.
Finally, I would like to speak about national security and human security.
In our current world, vulnerable individuals, especially those in minority groups, are often sacrificed for the sake of national security. Wars are waged in the name of peace, yet people become casualties. Every person deserves freedom from fear, freedom from want, and the right to live with dignity. Fear includes threats to life such as war, disaster, and conflict. Want encompasses poverty, human rights violations, discrimination, hunger, and lack of access to healthcare and education. The right to live with dignity means that every individual’s life must be respected and protected.
The fundamental basis of human security is the equal dignity of all human lives. There must be no discrimination
Thank you very much for listening my sharing.