NAGASAKI (Kyodo) Two major antinuclear groups on Monday separately urged greater efforts toward the elimination of nuclear weapons.
Welcoming the participation of U.S. Ambassador John Roos and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in a ceremony commemorating the bombing of Hiroshima, the Japan Congress Against A- and H-Bombs said in a declaration, "By working with hibakusha worldwide, let's make it clear that 'nuclear weapons and humankind cannot coexist.' "
The group known as Gensuikin also called for the enactment of Japan's three nonnuclear principles into law. At a meeting of the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs, Yoshinari Akashi, acting head of its Nagasaki chapter, criticized Prime Minister Naoto Kan's remarks that the U.S. nuclear umbrella "continues to be necessary for Japan."
The group known as Gensuikyo adopted a resolution urging nations to begin negotiating a treaty banning nuclear weapons.