photo -NHK
WEB DESK
Survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki have urged US President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to withdraw from a nuclear arms control pact with Russia.
Representatives of five survivors’ groups held a news conference in Nagasaki on Tuesday after the United States notified Russia that it would suspend compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, reports NHK.
The leader of one of the groups, Koichi Kawano, read out a statement saying that concerns are growing that the US will engage in a new nuclear arms race with Russia and China. The statement asks Trump not to disrupt the momentum for nuclear disarmament.
The head of another group, Toyokazu Ihara, said if the threat from China, which was never a signatory to the treaty, is behind Trump’s decision, Washington should instead invite Beijing for negotiations.
Ihara also said Japan is located close to Russia and China, and is vulnerable to the impact of the withdrawal.
As Japan is the only country to suffer atomic bombing, he called on the government to approach the countries concerned and contribute to peace.
The groups will send the statement to Trump through the US Embassy in Tokyo.- NHK-