Commission of “Special Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons” and their courtesy call on Prime Minister Kan

September 21, 2010
Japanese

On 21 September, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives the commission of “Special Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons” to Mr. Akihiro Takahashi from Hiroshima and Mr. Yoshiro Yamawaki from Nagasaki, after its establishment.
Later that day, Mr. Yamawaki paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Kan (Mr. Takahashi was represented by his agent, including in the commission ceremony mentioned above).
This commission mechanism is set up following Prime Minister Kan’s statement in the Peace Ceremonies in Hiroshima and Nagasaki this August on his initiative in asking Hibakusha (atomic bomb(s) survivors) to talk about their actual experiences on the tragic result of the use of nuclear weapons in various international occasions as newly established “Special Communicator for a World without Nuclear Weapons”.
Recognizing that it is its responsibility as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings to support the passing of Hibakusya’s first-hand experiences about the consequence of the use of nuclear weapons to the international community as well as to the future generations, Japan is determined to exercise its leadership, in cooperation with the civil society, in pursuing a world without nuclear weapons.

[Note]

(1) The Mechanism of the “Special Communicator”

The “Special Communicator for a World without Nuclear Weapons” is expected to pass on their experiences about the real consequence of the use of nuclear weapons to the international community as well as to the future generations, through various international occasions including atomic bombing exhibitions and other events.

The opinions expressed by the “Special Communicator” during these occasions do not necessarily represent the views of the Japanese government.

(2) The first “Special Communicator(s)”

Events in Japan
In Hiroshima on 25 September and in Nagasaki on 27 September, two Hibakusha, namely Mr. Akihiro Takahashi from Hiroshima and Mr. Yoshiro Yamawaki in Nagasaki will respectively offer their testimony about their experiences to 25 members of the UN Disarmament Fellowship as the first “Special Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons”.

Overseas Event
On 4-5 November, Mr. Yoshiro Yamawaki will offer their testimony about their experiences to the public in Manchester, UK, when it holds a joint event with the city of Nagasaki for Nuclear Free Local Authorities 30th Anniversary.

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