Press Releases
Appointment of a Japanese Member to the Independent Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War of the United Nations
July 22, 2025
On July 18 (July 17 local time), H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of United Nations (UN) appointed Dr. TOMONAGA Masao, Emeritus Director of Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Atomic Bomb (Genbaku) Hospital, as one of the 21 members of the Independent Scientific Panel on the Effects of Nuclear War, established pursuant to a resolution of the UN General Assembly. Dr. Tomonaga was nominated by the Government of Japan.
- This Independent Scientific Panel was established in accordance with the resolution “Nuclear war effects and scientific research” (A/RES/79/238), adopted at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. Japan voted in favor of this resolution. The Panel is tasked with examining the physical effects and societal consequences of nuclear war, and their impacts on public health, global socioeconomic systems, agriculture, and ecosystems. The Panel is expected to submit its final report to the 82nd session of the UN General Assembly in 2027.
- Japan welcomes the appointment of Dr. Tomonaga and, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during war, will continue to advance realistic and practical efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons, including by promoting accurate understanding of the realities of nuclear weapons use.