Statement: The JCP welcomes The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
SHII Kazuo
Chair, Japanese Communist Party
Member of the House of Representatives of Japan
Tokyo
January 22, 2021
Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo issued a welcoming statement on The UN Treaty on the prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which came into face on January 22th. The full text of his statement is as follows:
(1)
Today, The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has come into force. This is a historic milestone made by the many years of collective efforts by Hibakusha in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the many governments and civil society from around the world seeking to realize “a world without nuclear weapons”. As a party that has consistently called for the abolition of nuclear weapons since the end of the World War II, the Japanese Communist Party wholeheartedly applauds this moment.
(2)
The fact that for the first time in human history, coming into force of the international law that defines “nuclear weapons as illegal” is of great significance. It will have a great impact politically and ethically on nuclear-armed states and nations that rely on nuclear weapons as a deterrent force, and stigmatize them as “violator of international law”. With the legal normative power of the treaty, combined with the power of governments and civil society around the world, a new era has begun for moving forward toward “a world without nuclear weapons”
(3)
It is important to note that despite the U.S.-led hostility and obstruction of the treaty by the nuclear-armed states (P5, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China), a majority of governments succeeded in ratifying the treaty as popular support for the treaty grew around the world. It shows a clear sign of a change in the world structure from when a handful of major powers were dictating world politics to one in which all the countries in the world have become protagonists in world politics.
(4)
During the UN general assembly December 2020, 130 countries (more than two-thirds UN member nations) supported the resolution calling for all nations to sign the treaty. A conference of parties will be held this year where civil society will also participate to promote the treaty. With the power of the treaty that shows us a way to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons, the JCP will continues to cooperate with all nations, organizations, and individuals who support the treaty, regardless of political ideology or religious belief to promote our endeavor to realize “a world without nuclear weapons”.
(5)
In Japan, the Suga administration still turns their back on this international trend, by sticking to “maintaining and strengthening the nuclear deterrence force”. The administration refuses to sign the treaty which a majority of Japanese support, which is a shameful attitude that has resulted in deep disappointment both at home and abroad. The theory of "Nuclear Deterrence" presupposes the permissibility of "catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons" akin to those in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This is absolutely unacceptable.
We can assure you that if Japan, as the world’s only atomic-bombed nation, signs and ratifies the treaty, it will no doubt lead to great momentum to achieving “a world without nuclear weapons”. The JCP will make utmost efforts to establish a new government of opposition parties that will unite to sign and ratify the treaty. □
