Amano Mari, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Office at Geneva during of the Session 2013 of Conference of disarmement . 22 Juanary 2013. Photo by Jean-Marc Ferré
There has been considerable outrage from Japanese netizens on Twitter as news breaks that Amano Mari, the Japanese government representative for the Conference on Disarmament, fails to sign a joint statement by 74 nations prior to a review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland.
The statement asked representatives to commit to not using nuclear weapons under any circumstances, but Amano said that this conflicted with Japanese security policy.
As a nation that has the suffering of both the atomic bomb and nuclear disasters still in living memory, Japanese netizens took to Twitter to make their feelings known.
From NHK:
Japan Refuses To Sign Non-Proliferation Treaty Statement That Nuclear Weapons Will Not Be Used
In a Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, a joint statement was submitted that states nuclear weapons are inhumane and should not be used under any circumstances; however, Japan, the sole nation which is a victim of nuclear bombing, has come under fire from NGOs for not having signed the statement.
The joint statement was submitted by a group of South African representatives on April 24, during a preparatory meeting before a conference to review the NPT, which is to be held in Geneva.
In the statement, it says that “Due to the use of nuclear weapons, not only is there be a direct loss of human lives, but social and economic development is suspended, the environment is destroyed, and future generations lose their health, food and water supplies”, emphasising the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons.
Thus, it further stated that “Not using nuclear weapons again, under any circumstances, is therefore for the benefit of the existence of mankind”, and pledges that the signatories will not use nuclear weapons.
74 countries have added their names to the joint statement, but Japan, the sole nation which has been a victim of nuclear bombing, did not sign.
Ambassador Amano Mari, the Japanese government representative for the Conference on Disarmament, told a group of reporters that insofar as “we agree on the point that the effects of the use of nuclear weapons is inhumane, the point that nuclear weapons cannot be used under any circumstances is irreconcilable with Japan’s security policy”.
It is assumed that one reason as to why Japan did not sign is because Japan is protected under the “nuclear umbrella” of America, but criticism has arisen from NGOs who will also participate in the conference, and around 50 people held a protest against Japan’s decision in front of the buildings of the Japanese government representative for the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
Comments from Twitter:
takataka:
This is bad. I guess they’re trying to strike a balance, but once you pull the pin out there is no tomorrow. RT @tallwillow23: This news pissed me off the most today. Is Japan really OK with this, Mr. Abe? So much criticism from the rest of the world.
レタス:
Just as I thought…I think it’s crazy.
The DPJ are Korea’s lapdog.
The LDP are America’s lapdog.
Where has Japan gone?
くまがい桂子:
This is shameful.
いんさいどあうと・あうとさいどいん:
Even if a country that has no nuclear weapons, and that probably never will, says “we can’t say we’ve never use nuclear weapons no matter what”, then it’s not that frightening is it? It’s just going to be met with anger. And if so, it’s much better to go down the anti-nuclear route.
スワミ もんじゅを廃炉に!:
You go and say that in front of the people who suffered the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki!
オゼヤン:
To the rest of the world, Japan has unfortunately become a pathetic nation that can no longer make remarks such “As the only country in the world to have suffered the atomic bomb, No More HIROSHIMA, NAGASAKI”.
nao:
So it seems that “the point that nuclear weapons cannot be used under any circumstances is irreconcilable with Japan’s security policy”. Will you never learn, Japan…? By rights, as the only country which has suffered the atomic bomb, Japan should take the lead and sign!
篠ノ目くぬぎ_CNS:
Because of this decision, Japan will lose the trust of the international community. From now on, whenever the phrase “Japan is the only country to have suffered the use of the atomic bomb”, it’s inevitable that we’ll get glared at, “what are you saying, when it was you who didn’t sign this statement?”
FM4649:
This was a real shock, but as a citizen of Japan I’m not only embarrassed, but no longer wish to live here. This isn’t a release of tension, this is the silence that is the other side of tension.
伊藤馨:
I’m only reading this now, but it’s not ok for this to happen. The three non-nuclear principles…this is the kind of politics that you hear from those vans with megaphones, who think that it’s fine to fire nuclear weapons. Bastard right-wing shift, bastard nationalism.
TMT ヒロトコル:
We are going to get bashed the hell out of for this, obviously!
violetnyanco:
And what about China, the enemy of Japan, NHK? Isn’t it reasonable for a country that has nuclear weapons pointed at to disagree with not using nuclear weapons “under any circumstances”? How about blaming China and North Korea for this first?
久代安敏:
Prime Minister Abe wants to create armed forces and give them nuclear weapons. He’s basically inept. If we don’t make him resign soon, there’s going to be trouble.
道人:
The country that is the only country to have suffered the atomic bomb, and which pledges adherence to the three non-nuclear principles in its constitution…it’s like they’re going to accept the use of nuclear weapons in the worse cases. I really can’t believe this. It’s wrong to follow the way this nation thinks.
Kaori:
This is yesterday’s news, but it just makes me feel so sad, I can’t help it.
amujin:
Such a selfish thing to do! This violent, rogue government, that will betray the people to the very end, whose brains and words are completely empty. Isn’t this a criminal act? I’m so ashamed.
陣内智子:
Sad…frustrating…and shameful.
ヨータロー:
Fantastic. This is a brilliant message for China. We may be using America’s missiles, but do you want to go to war with us?? And I hope that at this the Senkaku dispute will be eased, too ^^;
とと:
Japan is such a frightening country!
murasang:
One word: Shame.
Daylily24:
Honestly, I feel like Japan has now become such a regrettable place. Are Hiroshima and Nagasaki ancient history?
Falco（原発即停止＆地位協定撤廃:
A country that doesn’t value the lives of its people or its children.
A real security policy doesn’t insist on things like this.
I wish they’d read “Sun-Tzu and Clausewitz”.
I think the number of people who want war has increased.
