Statement by Kazuo Shii

United Nations Conference to Negotiate a Legally Binding Instrument to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, Leading to their Total Elimination

March 29, 2017, New York

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Madam President

I am Kazuo Shii, a member of parliament from Japan,

Chair of the Japanese Communist Party and a member of PNND.

It is regrettable that the Japanese government is absent from this hall. But Hibakusha and the majority of Japanese people strongly support this conference.

Regarding negotiations for a ban treaty, the participation of nuclear reliant states would be preferable.

However, even if they don't join the process to begin with, a ban treaty concluded by the overwhelming majority of nations could codify the illegality of nuclear weapons threat and use, and further stigmatize their possession.

The resulting ban treaty, combined with global action by civil society organizations, will encourage nuclear reliant states to change their policies, and to participate in the process leading to the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

I emphasize my strong hope that this Conference will be a great success. The Hibakusha deserve no less.

Thank you very much.