After the G7 Hiroshima Summit
Takehiro KAGAWA
Chairperson of the
Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation
Mayor Matsui explains to the G7 leaders
The G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023 was held from May 19 to 21.
The leaders of the G7 member states, such as U.S. President Biden and French President Macron came to the atomic bombed city of Hiroshima, and this historic meeting was also attended by the leaders of eight invited countries, including India and South Korea, and the heads of international organizations as well as Ukraine's President Zelensky.
All the participating leaders visited Peace Memorial Museum, listened to the experiences and stories of the hibakusha, and offered flowers to the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb, where Hiroshima Mayor Matsui explained its inscription to them. Through all those events, they were guided by Prime Minister Kishida himself. There is no doubt that they were deeply moved by the reality of the atomic bombing, in other words, G7 Summit had a great impact on the world leaders.
All the participating leaders visited Peace Memorial Museum, listened to the experiences and stories of the hibakusha, and offered flowers to the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb, where Hiroshima Mayor Matsui explained its inscription to them. Through all those events, they were guided by Prime Minister Kishida himself. There is no doubt that they were deeply moved by the reality of the atomic bombing, in other words, G7 Summit had a great impact on the world leaders.
Mayor Matsui explains to the G7 leaders
What the leaders of the G7 countries wrote in the Guest Book clearly indicate that they understand their heavy responsibility to make a great effort toward the realization of a world without nuclear weapons.
Having felt the "Spirit of Hiroshima" seeking for peace and abolition of nuclear weapons, they have deepened their belief that nuclear weapons must never be used again.
G7 heads of state and government offer flowers at the Cenotaph
Among this year's G7 Summit invitees, India, Brazil, Indonesia, known as the Global South, their influence on the world is now growing remarkably, though the diplomatic positions of these countries vary in a way.
Therefore, it must be significant that the leaders of these countries were exposed to the reality of the atomic bombing for the first time and were touched by the "Spirit of Hiroshima".
The visit of the South Korean president to Hiroshima has never happened before.
It is really noteworthy that both the Japanese and Korean leaders offered flowers together to "the Monument Dedicated to Korean Victims and Survivors" in the Peace Memorial Park, which was surely fulfilling a long-held wish of the Korean hibakusha.
I also feel it valuable that President Zelensky of Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia and now being threatened by using nuclear weapons, came to Hiroshima to touch directly the reality of the atomic bombing and to meet with the world leaders in person.
We must never allow armed aggression or nuclear threats, much less the use of nuclear weapons, to threaten the peaceful daily lives of innocent citizens or human existence.
The G7 and the international community should make every effort to end the war of aggression and restore Ukraine as soon as possible.
At the G7 Hiroshima Summit, an independent document entitled "G7 Leaders' Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament" was drafted and presented for the first time in the history of the G7 Summit.
There are some criticisms about the document, for instance, the lack of reference to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and putting priority on Nuclear Deterrence rather than Nuclear Disarmament.
However, it is really required to take concrete actions to mobilize the voices of the people of the world and to urge all nations, including the nuclear weapon states, to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts incorporated in the document, whereby linking all these endeavors to concrete policies and actions for a world without nuclear weapons.
The G7 Hiroshima Summit has brought the world's attention to the atomic bombed city of Hiroshima.
This is the greatest opportunity and a new start for the peace movement that Hiroshima has been engaged in.
I hope that more and more people from around the world, especially the younger generation, will visit Hiroshima to learn about the reality of the atomic bombing and convey "Spirit of Hiroshima" back to their countries and communities.
We, the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, will strive to expand and strengthen such solidarity for peace at the citizen's level around the world, and we believe that the establishment of a culture of peace in civil society at large will lead to policy changes in one country and eventually changing destiny in the world. Let's work together.
Lastly, we would like to express our cordial appreciation for your continued support and cooperation.
We, the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, will strive to expand and strengthen such solidarity for peace at the citizen's level around the world, and we believe that the establishment of a culture of peace in civil society at large will lead to policy changes in one country and eventually changing destiny in the world. Let's work together.
Lastly, we would like to express our cordial appreciation for your continued support and cooperation.
(Photo Source) Website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: "G7 HIROSHIMA 2023"
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