2025 World Conference against A and H Bombs
Declaration of the International Meeting
In the 80th Year of the A-Bombing — Decision and Action Now to
Abolish Nuclear Weapons!
It will soon be 80 years since the atomic bombs were dropped by the US on
Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Now, in this 80th year,
the world must make a decision to abolish nuclear weapons and to take
necessary actions to implement that commitment. Assembled in Hiroshima, we
recall anew the unspeakable devastation caused by nuclear weapons, and appeal
to the people around the world to open the road to a nuclear weapon-free,
peaceful and just world.
The atomic bombs used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with their unparalleled
destructive power and radiation, instantly incinerated the two cities and claimed
the lives of about 210,000 people by the end of that year. It was called “hell on
earth.” The agonies of hell also caught those who survived. The survivors suffered
from the deep sorrow of losing their loved ones, as well as the health aftereffects
of the atomic bombs, discrimination, prejudice and economic hardship.
The determination that this tragedy must never be repeated anywhere on
Earth was the foundation of post-war politics. The United Nations, established to
“save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which … has brought
untold sorrow to mankind” (UN Charter), decided in its first General Assembly
resolution (January 24, 1946) on “the elimination from national armaments of
atomic weapons ….”
Despite the escalation of the US-Soviet nuclear arms race and repeated
nuclear confrontations and crises, testimonies of Hibakusha and the voices and
the inspired actions of citizens around the world prevented the use of nuclear
weapons. The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japan Confederation of A-and
H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) was a recognition and
encouragement of their historic contributions.
We are once again facing the danger of the use of nuclear weapons. In
particular, it is serious that countries that are using force in violation of the UN
Charter and pursuing large-scale military buildups are openly declaring their
dependence on nuclear forces. Russia’s nuclear threats, as it continues its
invasion of Ukraine, Israel and the US’ preemptive attacks on Iran’s nuclear
facilities, the strengthening of “nuclear deterrence” and modernization of nuclear
weapons by the US and other NATO countries, the dangerous standoff between
India and Pakistan, and the tensions and nuclear arms buildup in East Asia are all
serious developments. The claim that nuclear weapons are “essential for security”
cannot be disregarded, as it provokes the impulse to possess nuclear weapons.
In order to prevent the use of nuclear weapons and advance toward their
abolition, overcoming the “nuclear deterrence” doctrine has become ever more
important. “Nuclear deterrence” is a policy based on the premise of a catastrophic
outcome from a nuclear attack, far greater than the devastation of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, and is absolutely unacceptable from a humanitarian and moral
standpoint. At the same time, the “failure” or “malfunction” of the “nuclear
deterrence” policy could lead to catastrophic consequences beyond national
borders. In fact, situations where nuclear weapons were nearly used due to
miscalculations or misperceptions have repeatedly occurred. No country can
guarantee its safety through “nuclear deterrence.” We strongly urge nucleararmed states and their allies to abandon this inhumane and extremely dangerous
policy.
However, we have a clear vision for overcoming this crisis and moving
forward. The path to achieving world peace and security lies not in pursuing
national interests through force, but in restoring order based on the UN Charter.
Efforts to achieve a “world without nuclear weapons” are a critically important
element.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which outlaws
nuclear weapons and comprehensively prohibits their activities, has been ratified
by 73 countries and signed by 94 countries. It is becoming an international norm.
The collaboration between civil society, led by atomic bomb survivors, and
governments around the world that gave birth to this treaty created the world’s
mainstream. This treaty, created with the resolve to “contribute to the realization of
the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations” (Preamble to the
TPNW), has now become “a beacon of hope in these turbulent times” (Political
Declaration of the Third Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW). It is urgent to
expand public support for the TPNW and to increase the number of participating
countries.
We must not allow the pursuit of national interests through force, such as
successive wars and the use of military force. The voices of citizens and many
countries calling for peace based on the UN Charter and international law are
reinforcing the global mainstream. We demand an immediate end to Israeli
government’s genocide in Gaza, a permanent ceasefire and a just, peaceful
settlement of the Palestinian issue, including the establishment of the State of
Palestine, based on the international law and UN resolutions. The establishment
of a “Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass
Destruction” has become even more important. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine must
be brought to an end based on the UN Charter and international law.
Efforts toward nuclear disarmament and inclusiveness are being made in
Asia, Africa and Latin America. Issues that are causing tension and confrontation
in East Asia should also be resolved through diplomacy, including the ASEAN
Indo-Pacific Initiative (AOIP). We call for realizing peace in this region.
Denuclearization and peace building on the Korean Peninsula must be pursued
jointly through negotiations.
Stopping the enormous increase in military spending has become an
important issue for protecting peace and livelihood. We must not allow
discrimination, division, and xenophobia to aggravate tensions and conflicts.
Japan is the only country to have suffered from the atomic bombings in war,
and its constitution enshrines the peace principles based on reflection on its war
of aggression. As we mark 80 years since the atomic bombings and the end of
World War II, Japan’s responsibility for international community is greater than
ever. We stand in solidarity with the Japanese movement calling on the Japanese
government to join the TPNW and to provide state compensation for Hibakusha. It
is a matter of grave concern that Japan is becoming increasingly complicit in the
US nuclear strategy, as evidenced by the formulation of the “Guidelines for
Extended Deterrence” and discussions on the use of nuclear weapons by the US
military. The Japanese movement calling for peace diplomacy based on the
Constitution and opposing the military build-up and the strengthening of the
Japan-US military alliance is an important contribution to peace in Asia. We
express our solidarity with the struggle to reduce and remove US military bases in
Okinawa and elsewhere in Japan.
We call on the peoples of the world to take grand actions for prevention of
nuclear war and the elimination of nuclear weapons:
― Let us develop diverse forms of actions for the elimination of nuclear weapons
as our common goal everywhere in the world, placing the effort to inherit and
disseminate the damage and sufferings of the A-bombing of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. Let us promote efforts in each country to raise awareness of the real
damage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as nuclear tests, including inviting
Hibakusha for speaking tours. To that end, let us appeal to the governments in
many countries and the UN for support. Let us stop any forms of nuclear tests. Let
us achieve compensation and assistance to the Hibakusha and nuclear test
victims.
― Let us build up public opinion and movements calling for joining in the TPNW in
each country. Especially, it is important to do so in nuclear-armed states and
countries that rely on the “nuclear umbrella.” Let us participate in and cooperate
with efforts to support Hibakusha and nuclear test victims and to restore the
environment (TPNW Articles 6 and 7).
― Let us further develop cooperation with governments and the United Nations
that pursue the abolition of nuclear weapons. Let us call for international joint
action to take place on the occasion of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)
Review Conference planned for 2026. Let us set the 80th session of the UN
General Assembly this Autumn and the 2026 NPT Review Conference as
important milestone and strengthen our cooperation with governments that share
our goal.
― Let us uphold the UN Charter, oppose aggression, war, and military buildup,
and work in solidarity with various movements seeking peace and disarmament to
develop a global movement toward a “nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just
world.” Let us demand compensation and support for victims of war and of Agent
Orange in particular, and the eradication of such harm. Let us make a shift from
the trend for confrontation, division and military buildup so that resources can be
used for the solution of various problems facing humanity. Let us address gender
equality as an indispensable issue for peace and nuclear disarmament. Let us
develop solidarity and cooperation with movements addressing issues such as the
environment and climate crisis, poverty and inequality, discrimination and
xenophobia, human rights, and democracy.
August 4, 2025
International Meeting
2025 World Conference against A and H Bombs