Japanese People to Become Leaders for Disarmament

UN Chief Urges Japanese Young People to Become Leaders for Disarmament

New York, Aug 4 2010 10:10AM Stressing that Japan has a unique role to play in the area of nuclear disarmament, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the nation’s young people to lead the way on efforts to rid the world of these deadly weapons.

“Become leaders for disarmament,” Mr. Ban told students at Waseda University in Tokyo. “The international community is looking to you for your leadership and for your vision.”

The Secretary-General is in the Japanese capital ahead of this week’s commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the August 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“The world needs you – Japan’s young people – to keep the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki alive,” he stated, adding that he hopes the younger generation will carry the torch that their parents and grandparents have lit. He urged Japanese young people to tell the stories of the survivors of the nuclear bombs, the hibakusha, stating that “their testimony is the most graphic argument against the nuclear threat.” Mr. Ban highlighted the important role played by Japan in work of the UN, including in rebuilding Afghanistan, assisting Haiti following the devastating January earthquake and supporting the efforts of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

At the same time, he pointed out that it is in the area of nuclear disarmament that the country has a particular contribution to make given its experience during the Second World War. “In all these areas, Japan is an irreplaceable partner of the United Nations. But in the area of nuclear disarmament, you have a special and unique role,” Mr. Ban stated.

“Some people argue that disarmament is too difficult … That it is an unrealistic goal … That it can never be achieved, at least in our lifetimes “I am here to say that is not true. Yes, it is difficult. But it is not impossible,” he stated.

In October 2008, the Secretary-General proposed a five-point plan on disarmament that includes recommendations on increasing security, on verification, on establishing a legal framework for nuclear disarmament, on transparency and on conventional weapons. While there has been some progress since then, greater efforts are needed to advance on this critical issue, he said.

ENDS

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