To realize a world free of nuclear weapons

After the A-bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on August 15, 1945 Japan surrendered unconditionally, bringing an end to World War II. In the postwar period, however, the East-West standoff known as Cold War began between the East, i.e., the socialist camp, led by the Soviet Union (now Russia) and the West, i.e., the capitalist camp, led by the United States. Under such circumstances, to prevent nuclear attacks from other countries, the major countries continuously conducted nuclear development and testing, in the attempt to acquire many powerful nuclear weapons.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Cold War ended. However, even now the nations that possess nuclear weapons are unwilling to give them up, as they wish to protect themselves by means of these weapons. Moreover, some countries have newly acquired nuclear weapons, and other countries are suspected of possessing such arms.

More than enough nuclear weapons to annihilate the whole human beings still exsists in this world. Not only the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, but other countries that also have nuclear weapons, or suspected of having nuclear weapons are not a few.

In March 1954 the United States carried out a hydrogen bomb test on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean. The radioactive fallout (small particles of coral reef containing highly radioactive materials) produced by the test fell on a Japanese fishing boat named Daigo Fukuryū Maru (Lucky Dragon No. 5), which was about 160 km from the test site. One of the crewmembers of the contaminated boat died in September of that year

The tragedy of the Daigo Fukuryū Maru evoked international concern regarding the horror of nuclear weapons, generating a groundswell in the movement against atomic and hydrogen bombs. In the following year, the first World Conference against A & H Bombs was convened. 

In addition, some countries have concluded mutual agreements to ban nuclear testing and to reduce nuclear arsenals. Also, nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties have been signed among nations in certain regions. 

In 1967, Japan decided not to make or possess nuclear weapons, and not to allow their entry into Japan (as stipulated in the Three Non-Nuclear Principles). As the only A-bombed nation in the world, it is important that Japan continue to appeal to the international community for the abolition of nuclear weapons. 

On July 7, 2017, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted at the United Nations with 122 countries voting in favor. The treaty prohibits activities including the development, possession, and use of nuclear weapons. It is hoped for that this treaty will become an international norm, leading the advancement towards the elimination of nuclear weapons.