The recent conference in Hiroshima of foreign ministers from 12 nonnuclear weapons states highlighted the challenges in eliminating nuclear weapons. The statement adopted by members of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative urged world leaders to realize the "catastrophic humanitarian consequences" of nuclear weapons use and to make multinational nuclear disarmament efforts — a veiled reference to the need to involve China.

The notable absence of targets for nuclear weapons cutbacks illustrated the divide between nations that advocate an outright ban on nuclear arms and those — including Japan — that rely on a "nuclear umbrella" for security.

The April 12 gathering of NPDI ministers was the eighth since the group was created in 2010 (at Japan and Australia's initiative) and the first in Japan. The group also includes Canada, Chile, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.