The humanitarian and humankind's approach in dealing with the use of nuclear weapons is gaining universal acceptance in the international community. It represents a paradigm shift in the way nuclear weapons are handled, from being discussed primarily from the perspective of national security to a wider perspective of protecting human survival –a shift that reflects the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. The motivation of this shift is to revive nuclear disarmament, which has not been making any progress, through a fundamental change of mindset both inside and outside of government.
　I believe that all who seek to achieve world peace and security would benefit from communicating the tragic reality of the atomic bombings as the ultimate foundation for the humanitarian and humankind's approach to disarmament. In other words, this approach builds on the belief that the devastating heat rays, blasts, and radiation from the atomic bombings prove that such weapons threaten the survival of the human race, and must therefore be abolished on the basis of these facts. Together, they represent the harshest of realities.
　The humanitarian and humankind's approach offers great potential to overcome conventional approaches to dealing with nuclear weapons issues, such as the illusion that such weapons serve a useful purpose of deterrence. The intent of this alternative approach is to address directly the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of even a single use of such weapons, let alone the unimaginable horrors of a nuclear war.
　Below, three specific benefits of this approach are discussed.
　First, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) are compatible and complementary as concrete paths toward nuclear weapons abolition. Both of these treaties share the same basic recognition of the humanitarian and humankind's approach, with its mission to prevent the destruction of humanity by the use of nuclear weapons. For this reason, it is significant to emphasize the reality of the atomic bombings in conjunction with this approach in order to create a common ground for discussions between parties to these treaties.
　Second, motivated young people sometimes ask what they should do for nuclear weapons abolition. If we take the humanitarian and humankind's approach, they will understand that communicating the reality of the atomic bombings will itself play a major role in shaping public opinion to support nuclear abolition. Foreign visitors and Japanese students on school excursions to Hiroshima will also be able to understand that the reality of the atomic bombing, as perceived through the exhibits at Peace Memorial Museum and testimonies of the hibakusha, represents the destruction of humanity through the use of nuclear weapons. They will be convinced that there is no other way for the survival of humanity but to abolish nuclear weapons. 　Third, in response to the explanation of the reality of the atomic bombings, various opinions may be raised, such as "many deaths have also occurred in other air raids," or "nuclear deterrence is necessary from a geopolitical perspective." Yet despite these varying opinions, no one can deny the fundamental reality that atomic bombings inevitably lead to the destruction of human race, given the indiscriminate effects from the use of nuclear weapons. This further reinforces the need to work for the global abolition of all such weapons.
　As described above, we believe that the role of Hiroshima will become even more important as it will be able to contribute to international discussions on a world free of nuclear weapons based on the humanitarian and humankind's approach. Having experienced firsthand the horrific effects of these weapons, our city is both willing and able to communicate the reality of the atomic bombings in a way that is linked to this approach. We must approach nuclear disarmament as a solemn and effective means to reaffirm our common humanity.