Address by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony

[Provisional translation] 

Today, on the occasion of the opening of the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing, as prime minister, I reverently express my sincere condolences to the souls who were victims of the atomic bomb. I also extend my heartfelt sympathy to those still suffering even now from the aftereffects of the atomic bomb. 

Seventy-nine years ago today, a single atomic bomb reduced this city to ashes, with not a single tree or blade of grass remaining. Yet through the efforts of its citizens, it achieved reconstruction beautifully as we see today. Mindful of this, we again feel strongly that there is no trial that cannot be overcome and feel acutely how precious peace is. 

The tragedies that befell Nagasaki and Hiroshima must never be repeated. Under this principle, as the only country to have experienced the horror of nuclear devastation in war, Japan has the mission of pressing forward steadily with realistic and practical measures to bring about a world without nuclear weapons. Moreover, the widening division within the international community over approaches to nuclear disarmament, Russia's nuclear threat, and other concerns make the situation surrounding nuclear disarmament all the more challenging. Accordingly, now is the time for us to continue with our passionate appeal to the world, “Let Nagasaki be the last.” 

No matter how narrow the path forward may be for realizing a world without nuclear weapons, in order to walk down that very path from our precarious reality towards the ideal, Japan, firmly upholding the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” will lead the international community’s efforts to bring about a world without nuclear weapons. 

The foundation on which this is based is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Last year, here in Nagasaki, the International Group of Eminent Persons for a World without Nuclear Weapons (IGEP) convened a meeting. In order for the next Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT to produce a meaningful outcome, we will continue our efforts to find concrete measures that both nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states can undertake together, giving proper consideration to the discussions held by the IGEP. 

With the world now at a critical point where the trend towards fewer nuclear weapons could undergo a reversal, it is imperative for us to promote the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) to guard against such a turn of events. I myself will stand at the fore of the "Friends of the FMCT" framework, a cross-regional group established this year, and be proactively involved in its work.  

Taking the opportunity of the G7 and various other diplomatic occasions, Japan has urged leaders and young people from around the world to visit the atomic bombing sites of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and had them witness the realities of the atomic bombings. Communicating the tragic realities of the atomic bombings to people around the world and having them gain an accurate understanding of those realities will be of great consequence as a starting point for all kinds of efforts towards nuclear disarmament. This year, as part of the Youth Leader Fund for a World Without Nuclear Weapons program established by the United Nations through contributions from the Government of Japan, leaders of the future will visit atomic bombing sites. Through initiatives such as these, the Government of Japan will, in cooperation with atomic bomb survivors, continue its efforts to promote understanding of the tragic realities of the atomic bombings. 

The Government, accepting the necessity of relief measures covering health and medical services and welfare of atomic bomb survivors, will continue to advance relief measures in a comprehensive manner while staying in tune with atomic bomb survivors, who are advancing in years. We will work in particular to conduct screenings for recognizing atomic bomb diseases as quickly as we can so that we can convey the results as soon as possible. 

We are also working to provide assistance to those who experienced the atomic bombings and last year we again expanded the scope of our efforts. 

In closing, here in Nagasaki, which has developed admirably as an International Culture City through the tireless efforts of its citizens, I pledge once more that Japan will make its utmost efforts for the realization of a world without nuclear weapons and for the realization of eternal peace. I wish to conclude my remarks with my heartfelt prayers for the repose of the souls of those who fell victim to the atomic bombing here in Nagasaki. I also pray sincerely for the inner peace of the bereaved families and the atomic bomb survivors as well as all the participants today and the people of Nagasaki City. 

KISHIDA Fumio 
Prime Minister of Japan 
August 9, 2024