The Role of Civil Society in the NPT Review Conference and Beyond
On July 9, 2023, the Pal System Cooperative Federation, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, held a reporting event regarding its participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. This international meeting took place at the UN headquarters in New York from April 24 to May 1. The staff members of Pal System who represented the group shared their on-the-ground experiences, along with reflections on the importance of continued action toward nuclear disarmament and peace.
Approximately 60 representatives from the Pal System Group, both in person and online, attended the event. The delegation comprised members from the Japan Confederation of A-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hifukyo), including 42 staff from various cooperatives across Japan, with two staff members sent from Pal System Tokyo and the Pal System Federation.
The program included personal testimony from Nobuko Sugino of the East Yuukai Association, who shared her experiences as an A-bomb survivor, and a lecture from Hideo Asano of the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Collectively, these accounts prompted a reflection on the significance of ongoing efforts towards nuclear disarmament.
Sugino, who was an infant during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, recounted her experiences of loss and resilience. Despite her young age at the time, she has dedicated her life to sharing stories passed down from her mother. She articulated the horrors that unfolded on that tragic day, describing how she and her mother had to escape to a nearby school, witnessing the aftermath of the attack. Her brother and sister were lost to the atomic bomb, with her brother's remains never recovered. Sugino’s memories of her mother, waiting for the return of her missing child, resonate deeply, emphasizing the lingering impact of trauma.
Asano expressed his ideas on the discussions held at the NPT Review Conference and potential future direction regarding the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Despite the inability to adopt a final document due to the ongoing tensions exacerbated by armed conflicts in various regions, he noted the positive efforts made by countries, including Vietnam's UN Ambassador’s inclusive approach during the conference discussions.
One crucial aspect highlighted is the increasing role of civil society, with participation registrations having risen significantly compared to previous conferences. Asano remarked on the emotional responses from UN staff after hearing Japanese survivors share their stories, indicating that the message of peace and disarmament resonates well. He called for civil society to remain active in confronting the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and working collaboratively to expand the peace movement.
The sharing of experiences from the Pal System staff emphasized their commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration towards a nuclear-free world. Fukushiro Takashi from Pal System Tokyo reflected on a notable encounter during a dialogue about the feelings toward the United States regarding the bombings, highlighting a survivor's powerful stance against perpetuating a cycle of violence.
Post-conference, Takashi expressed disappointment over the non-adoption of a final document but valued the opportunity to work alongside A-bomb survivors, noting a profound sense of shared empathy across different backgrounds.
Keiko Matsushita from the Pal System's Community Activities Support Office reported on collaborative efforts to promote discussions on peace at an event co-hosted with the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. She emphasized the importance of creating a community atmosphere where people can engage in meaningful conversations about peace in their daily lives.
Through these diverse activities and partnerships, Pal System aims to continue its role in advancing discussions about peace and nuclear disarmament, reinforcing the connections among people to foster a cooperative and harmonious society.
Participation Details
Approximately 60 representatives from the Pal System Group, both in person and online, attended the event. The delegation comprised members from the Japan Confederation of A-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hifukyo), including 42 staff from various cooperatives across Japan, with two staff members sent from Pal System Tokyo and the Pal System Federation.
The program included personal testimony from Nobuko Sugino of the East Yuukai Association, who shared her experiences as an A-bomb survivor, and a lecture from Hideo Asano of the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Collectively, these accounts prompted a reflection on the significance of ongoing efforts towards nuclear disarmament.
Powerful Survivor Testimonies
Sugino, who was an infant during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, recounted her experiences of loss and resilience. Despite her young age at the time, she has dedicated her life to sharing stories passed down from her mother. She articulated the horrors that unfolded on that tragic day, describing how she and her mother had to escape to a nearby school, witnessing the aftermath of the attack. Her brother and sister were lost to the atomic bomb, with her brother's remains never recovered. Sugino’s memories of her mother, waiting for the return of her missing child, resonate deeply, emphasizing the lingering impact of trauma.
Asano expressed his ideas on the discussions held at the NPT Review Conference and potential future direction regarding the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Despite the inability to adopt a final document due to the ongoing tensions exacerbated by armed conflicts in various regions, he noted the positive efforts made by countries, including Vietnam's UN Ambassador’s inclusive approach during the conference discussions.
Strengthening Civil Society Roles
One crucial aspect highlighted is the increasing role of civil society, with participation registrations having risen significantly compared to previous conferences. Asano remarked on the emotional responses from UN staff after hearing Japanese survivors share their stories, indicating that the message of peace and disarmament resonates well. He called for civil society to remain active in confronting the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and working collaboratively to expand the peace movement.
Looking Forward
The sharing of experiences from the Pal System staff emphasized their commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration towards a nuclear-free world. Fukushiro Takashi from Pal System Tokyo reflected on a notable encounter during a dialogue about the feelings toward the United States regarding the bombings, highlighting a survivor's powerful stance against perpetuating a cycle of violence.
Post-conference, Takashi expressed disappointment over the non-adoption of a final document but valued the opportunity to work alongside A-bomb survivors, noting a profound sense of shared empathy across different backgrounds.
Local Peace Initiatives
Keiko Matsushita from the Pal System's Community Activities Support Office reported on collaborative efforts to promote discussions on peace at an event co-hosted with the Japan Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. She emphasized the importance of creating a community atmosphere where people can engage in meaningful conversations about peace in their daily lives.
Through these diverse activities and partnerships, Pal System aims to continue its role in advancing discussions about peace and nuclear disarmament, reinforcing the connections among people to foster a cooperative and harmonious society.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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