Antinuke groups wrap up conferences in Hiroshima

Aug. 6, Kyodo - Japan's two major antinuclear groups ended their separate meetings Friday in Hiroshima, adopting resolutions calling for a 21st century free of nuclear weapons.

The Japan Congress Against A and H Bombs (Gensuikin), backed by the Social Democratic Party, and the Japan Council Against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo), sponsored by the Japanese Communist Party, renewed their calls to step up efforts to totally abolish nuclear weapons, on the 54th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

The two urged Japan, the only country in the world to have experienced the atomic bomb, to take the initiative in working toward the elimination of nuclear weapons by leaving the U.S. nuclear umbrella and conveying the voices of atomic bomb victims to the world.

Both organizations expressed concern about the enactment of laws in Japan expanding defense cooperation with the United States, and sought the creation of a nuclear-free zone in Northeast Asia.

They also called for legislating Japan's three nonnuclear principles of not producing, possessing, or introducing nuclear weapons into Japan.

In addition, Gensuikyo criticized the sale of earrings representing ''Little Boy'' and ''Fat Man'' -- the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- at the National Atomic Museum in the U.S., saying such a move represents Washington's ''justification of atomic bomb use.''

The two bodies were originally the same group, but split in August 1963 after members now belonging to Gensuikyo decided not to oppose nuclear tests by the former Soviet Union. Those who later joined Gensuikin were opposed to all types of nuclear tests by any country.

Last month, Gensuikyo requested Gensuikin forge a united movement to ban nuclear weapons, but the latter responded coolly, saying ''the past events cannot be erased.''

They will hold another round of separate conferences in Nagasaki from Saturday to Monday to mark the Aug. 9 anniversary of the city's bombing.