Japan and the United Nations

August 6, 2022
Prime Minister Kishida and  UN Secretary-General Guterres who attend a meeting sitting on an armchair Meeting with UN Secretary-General Guterres (Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary-General Guterres who learn about the tragic realities of the use of nuclear weapons in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary-General Guterres
who are guided on a tour of
the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary-General Guterres who sign the guest book after donating paper cranes that they folded themselves Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary-General Guterres
who sign the guest book
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)

On August 6, commencing at 9:00 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, met with H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. The meeting was followed by their visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

1. Meeting

Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the attendance by Secretary-General Guterres at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, and stated that having an accurate understanding on the realities of nuclear weapons use is the starting point for all manner of efforts towards nuclear disarmament. Secretary-General Guterres stated that it was meaningful to realize the visit to Hiroshima and the attendance at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony as he had wished to.

Prime Minister Kishida stated that, as the only country to have ever suffered atomic bombings during wartime, Japan will lead international efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons. Secretary-General Guterres welcomed such efforts by Japan stating that no other country can speak about nuclear weapons with moral authority as strongly as Japan, and they concurred to continue to work closely together.

Prime Minister Kishida strongly condemned China's launch of ballistic missiles as a serious issue concerning Japan’s security and the safety of Japanese people. Prime Minister Kishida further stated that China’s action gravely affects peace and stability of the international community and that he would continue working closely with the Secretary-General.

2. Visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary-General Guterres were guided by the Director of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on a tour of the museum and learned about the tragic realities of the use of nuclear weapons. After their visit to the museum, Prime Minister Kishida and Secretary-General Guterres respectively donated paper cranes that they folded themselves and signed the guest book.


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