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| Top What's up around the Prime Minister August, 2004 |
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Prime Minister Attends Nagasaki Memorial Service for the Dead and Peace Ceremony
At the ceremony marking the 59th anniversary of the atomic bombing, the list of names of the people recognized as atomic victims in the past year was placed in the sacred box in front of the Peace Statue. Prime Minister Koizumi and other guests offered flowers along with the representatives of atomic bomb victims and bereaved family members. The Bell of Nagasaki and sirens were rung at 11:02 a.m., when the atomic bomb was dropped, and the participants prayed silently. Mr. Iccho Itoh, the Mayor of Nagasaki City, then delivered the "Peace Declaration" and the representatives of the atomic bomb victims made the "Promise for Peace." Prime Minister Koizumi, who stood as the guest speaker, said in his address that the Government of Japan is planning to subsidize health and medical care expenses in order for atomic bomb victims living abroad to be able to receive appropriate treatment at their local medical institutions from this autumn, expressing his intention to work to promote support measures by accurately reflecting on the reality of the aging victims of the atomic bomb. Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi indicated his determination by saying that Japan, as the only nation in human history to be bombed with atomic weapons, will lead the international community and devote itself to abolish nuclear weapons through its enhancement of efforts to call on governments for early ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
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| Link: | Address by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Nagasaki Memorial Service for the Nagasaki Peace Ceremony |