The World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP/RfP) Japan submitted
a statement concerning the first Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty
on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to the Government of Japan
on June 16. On behalf of WCRP/RfP Japan, five members of its “Stop! Nuclear
Dependence Task Force” met with Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey its request to the Government of
Japan by handing over the statement.
The statement released on June 2 welcomed the first Meeting of the Parties
to the Treaty as “a historic step towards the abolition of nuclear weapons.”
The statement touches on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, expressing deep
concern over “the highly increased risk of using nuclear weapons,” and
warns that nuclear deterrence policies “only increase mutual hatred and
the risk of using nuclear weapons.” The statement expresses a hope that
the Meeting of the State Parties would be “a significant opportunity for
the prevention of the use of nuclear weapons” and “make a significant step
toward the abolition of nuclear weapons.” The statement outlines a five-point
request by WCRP/RfP Japan to the countries concerned, including Japan.
In the statement, WCRP/RfP Japan asks the Government of Japan to sign and
ratify the Treaty. It is also requesting the Government of Japan consider
building a policy to establish peace and security without depending on
nuclear weapons while adhering to the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles.”
The first Meeting of the State Parties will be held in Vienna, Austria,
from June 21 to 23. Task Force member Rev. Masamichi Kamiya (ACRP Senior
Advisor) participates in the Meeting. He will also attend such side events
as “The 2022 Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons”
hosted by the Austrian Government and another sponsored by ICAN (International
Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons).
Following is a brief translation of the statement (originally in Japanese).
Statement ahead of the First Meeting of States Parties to Treaty on the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons