The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) entered into force
on January 22, 2021, an accomplishment that was thanks in no small part
to the dedicated efforts of the hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who
have worked for the abolition of nuclear weapons based on their unwavering
desire to prevent the catastrophic consequences wrought by the use of nuclear
weapons and a determination that there should be “No more hibakusha.” They
were joined by countless other people whose tireless efforts were based
on firm humanitarian principles towards the abolition of nuclear weapons.
In June 2022, the first Meeting of States Parties to TPNW is scheduled
to be held. Although the meeting has been postponed several times due to
the global pandemic of COVID-19, Religions for Peace (RfP) Japan sincerely
welcomes it as a historic step forward toward the abolition of nuclear
weapons.
What is so ground-breaking about this Treaty is that it goes further than
previous codification efforts that have stipulated the coordination, control,
and reduction in the number of nuclear weapons. This Treaty provides for
their complete prohibition, leading to their total elimination. The use,
development, testing, production, possession, transfer or stockpiling of
nuclear weapons, as well as threats to use such weapons are prohibited
under the terms of this legally binding international treaty. More than
70 years after their development, nuclear weapons are now for the first
time clearly branded as evil and completely illegal.
At the meeting of States Parties, discussions are expected to take place
on how to give the Treaty greater effectiveness, relevance, and legitimacy,
and, by increasing the number of States Parties, to also enhance its universality.
Recent escalations in international tensions, most notably Russia’s invasion
of Ukraine on February 24 of this year, have forced the international community
to recognize that the risk of nuclear weapons being used has increased
drastically. At the time of the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President
Vladimir Putin openly flaunted Russia’s status as a nuclear power, putting
its nuclear deterrence units on high alert, in an act that could be considered
a threat to use nuclear weapons. On April 27, President Putin stated that
“Russia has weapons other countries do not, and will use them if needed,”
threatening the use of nuclear weapons as a warning to other countries.
In response to such developments, even in Japan a former prime minister
and influential members of the National Diet have called for the introduction
of “nuclear sharing,” and the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which undergird
Japan’s national policy, have been openly called into question.
The concept of nuclear deterrence, through which countries seek to ensure
their own security by threatening an opponent with nuclear weapons, is
gaining ever more ground, and it is precisely at this time that RfP Japan
reiterates that nuclear deterrence is an incredibly dangerous policy that
threatens to lead to irreversible catastrophe. Nuclear deterrence is based
on the assumption that nuclear weapons will be used if the need arises.
Such a policy that sows seeds of doubt and suspicion will only serve to
increase mutual animosity and therefore exacerbate the danger of nuclear
weapons being used.
It is precisely because the current international situation concerning
nuclear weapons is so severe that it is of the utmost importance for States
Parties to make further progress on preventing their use and finding a
path to their total elimination. As such, on the occasion of the first
Meeting of States Parties, RfP Japan makes the five following requests
to all States Parties, and to the government of Japan.
That the States Parties engage in proactive discussions to ensure that
the TPNW is operated more universally and effectively, as an international
treaty. RfP Japan will provide full support and assistance in this regard.
That the government of Japan recognizes that its failure to participate
in this meeting has caused deep disappointment and dismay to many people,
including those in countries that seek the true abolition of nuclear weapons
and the hibakusha who survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
and that the government swiftly signs and ratifies the Treaty to become
a State Party.
That the government of Japan, even though it may not be a State Party,
monitors developments relating to the Treaty and contributes actively to
the advancement of discussions among States Parties, utilizing the experience
and knowledge that Japan has accumulated over the course of many years
as the only country to have suffered atomic bombing in wartime, including
assistance for victims of war and the atomic bombings, and also for those
exposed to the effects of nuclear weapons tests, as well as environmental
restoration.
That the government of Japan continues to strictly uphold the Three Non-Nuclear
Principles and consider policies that would build peace and security for
Japan without depending on nuclear weapons.
That all countries concerned with the situation in Ukraine continue to
implement appropriate measures towards realizing an immediate ceasefire;
that all countries concerned continue calm and patient diplomatic efforts
without closing pathways to a breakthrough achieved through dialogue; and
also that nuclear weapon States respond with due care and attention to
prevent any unforeseen event, such as the use of nuclear weapons, from
occurring due to the escalation of the situation in Ukraine.
RfP Japan joins with people of religion around the world affiliated to
the Religions for Peace network in looking to the Meeting of States Parties
to TPNW with keen anticipation that the meeting will serve to further enhance
the Treaty as an international law that is part of international norms
and possessed of greater legal force, and renew our commitment to both
prayer and action towards the complete cessation of use and elimination
of nuclear weapons, which is the goal of the Treaty.
June 2, 2022
by Most. Rev. Makoto Uematsu
Chairman, Religions for Peace (RfP) Japan