On August 4, both Gensuikyo and Gensuikin both opened the Hiroshima sessions of their world gatherings in the Hiroshima Prefectural Gymnasium. The Gensuikyo gathering was called the 2002 World Conference against A and H Bombs and the Gensuikin gathering was called 57 Years Later-World Conference to Abolish A and H Bombs.

Attending Gensuikyo's world conference were about 7,000 persons, including roughly 60 representatives from 25 countries. Kanemichi Kumagai, Zenroren Secretary-General, greeted the assembly on behalf of the member organization chairs. He said, "We cannot accept the statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda that Japan's three non-nuclear principles bear review. We must make this a successful conference to isolate the powers that cling to nuclear weapons."

Saying, "U.S. security-related policies since the September 11 terrorist attacks not only don't make us safe, they court danger," Egypt's Vice Foreign Minister Mahmoud Mubarak emphasized the important role played by NGOs (non-governmental organizations) working on nuclear disarmament. Malaysia's Ambassador of Disarmament Rajmah Hussain said, "We need multilateral meetings on measures to ensure that weapons of mass destruction don't get into the hands of the terrorists."

The conference will divide into 11 sectional meetings and hold a forum for governmental representatives and NGOs on the 5th, and close on the 6th.

The closing meeting of the international conference held at Hiroshima Kosei Nenkin Kaikan (Welfare Annuities Hall) in Naka-ku on the same day adopted a declaration demanding that the nuclear weapon states keep their promise to abolish nuclear weapons.

Attending the Gensuikin gathering were roughly 3,500 persons, including 10 representatives from seven countries and regions, members of labor unions, and members of grassroots organizations. Conference Executive Committee Chairman Iwamatsu said, "People around the world must strengthen their collaborative efforts to abolish all nuclear weapons."

Conference Managing Director Fukuyama pointed out that the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. have been followed by increasing signs of nuclear force build-up and a clear danger of nuclear war breaking out between India and Pakistan. He proposed the following basic policies: 1) Extend coverage of the Survivors Assistance Law to A-bomb survivors living overseas; 2) Cooperate with exposure victims of nuclear testing in other countries; 3) Shift from nuclear power to natural energy sources; and 4) Pass the movement on to the next generation.

Gensuikin's world conference continues until August 6th. Seven sectional meetings on the 5th will take up such subjects as U.S. nuclear strategy and nuclear power policy, and the meeting on the 6th will be a wrap-up plenary session.

(Caption)Starting with Gensuikyo's 2002 World Conference against A and H Bombs disucusses nuclear weapons abolition.