By Yumi Kanazaki

Discussion seeks solution to nuclear problems

The Japan Congress Against A and H Bombs (Gensuikin) opened its international conference against A and H bombs in Fukuoka on August 3. Four panelists representing peace groups in Japan, the U.S.A., China, and South Korea discussed the theme "Towards Peace, Denuclearization, and Security in Northeast Asia." They agreed on the importance of reviving the six-party talks on North Korea and searching for solutions through dialogue to the issue of nuclear weapons development.

Roughly 150 persons attended the gathering. In his keynote address, Gensuikin Secretary General Shingou Fukuyama expressed alarm that strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance through the restructuring of the U.S. military is "fomenting tension in Asia."

Jin Young Jong, Vice-chair of Steering Committee, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy in the South Korea criticized the alliance saying, "In forming a military alliance against China, Japan, the U.S., and South Korea are stimulating a new arms race that includes developing nuclear weapons." Akira Kawasaki, Peace Boat co-director, maintained that the grassroots movement must unify to demand that security be "based on Article 9 of the Constitution, not military might."

Regarding hardline measures such as economic sanctions in response North Korea's threat that it would fire missiles, Paul Martin, Organizing and Policy Director of the U.S. group Peace Action, and Wang Changyong, the deputy secretary general of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament both pled for a measured response. From August 4 to 6, the gathering moves to Hiroshima to open its world assembly.

(Caption)Gensuikin's world conference searches for a way to free northeast Asia from nuclear weapons.