On August 5, DP President Katsuya Okada released the following statement.
On August 6, 71 years ago, an atomic bomb was used for the first time in the history of humankind in Hiroshima, and three days later, an atomic bomb was similarly dropped on Nagasaki also. This year also, on the anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I once again offer my heartfelt condolences to the souls of the victims and my sincere sympathies to those who even today continue to struggle with health issues and emotional scars.
In the history of humankind nuclear weapons must not be used ever again. As the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in wartime, Japan must use every possible means to convey to the international community just how inhumane the use of nuclear weapons is and the misery that nuclear weapons bring to large numbers of innocent people.
In May this year Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the only country to have used atomic bombs, visited Hiroshima and spoke of the tragedy that nuclear weapons had brought. It has also been reported that President Obama is considering a major change in nuclear policy including declaring a no first-use stance on nuclear weapons, during the remainder of his term. Now is the very time for Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in wartime, and the United States, the only country to have used atomic bombs, to work together hand in hand and seize the initiative in cultivating powerful momentum toward “a world without nuclear weapons.”
“A world without nuclear weapons” is a common aspiration of the
world, and achieving it is a mission that has been bestowed upon
all of humankind. At the DP, that mission is engraved deeply into
our hearts. We will continue working with a broad range of partners
from every party and in every field and on every level, and will
persevere with our efforts in the future.