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376529
Thu, 08/06/2015 - 12:27
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Japan to exert every effort to build nuclear-free world - Abe

TOKYO, August 6. /TASS/. Japan will bend every effort to build a nuclear-free world, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a ceremony to pay homage to the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima that began on Thursday. "Our country was the only one to become a victim of a nuclear strike," he said. "And we are determined to exert every effort to build a nuclear-free world." The Japanese Prime Minister also noted that next year Hiroshima would host a meeting of the top diplomats of the G7 group, where the ministers will discuss the issue of nuclear weapons among other topics. Meanwhile, Mayor of Hiroshima Kazumi Matsui has urged the international community to completely give up nuclear weapons. "As long as nuclear weapons exist, you never know who will be their victim," he said, reading out his Peace Declaration. "Heed our voice and think about it in all seriousness," he added. Matsui once again invited the U.S. president to visit the city and personally socialize with the survivors of that terrible tragedy. "Visit Hiroshima, listen to the stories of those who have survived," he said. The Mayor of Hiroshima also recalled that the U.S. atomic bombing had claimed not only the lives of the locals but also "of residents of the Korean Peninsula, China, the entire Asian region and U.S. prisoners-of-war." According to the Hiroshima administration, taking part in the memorial ceremony are delegations from 100 countries. This is the largest number of participants in its history. Hiroshima Mayor’s Office sent invitations to representatives of 157 countries. The United States is represented by Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy. The U.K. and France are among the nuclear powers that have sent their delegations to Hiroshima. Russia is represented this year by members of its diplomatic mission. Israel and Pakistan have confirmed their presence as well. China earlier notified Tokyo that its representatives would not attend the ceremony. The City Hall said that seven countries, including Afghanistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka, took part in the ceremony for the first time. As of August 6, 2014, the number of people recognized as having died from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima stood at 292,325. The surviving victims of the atomic bombings called "hibakusha" (a person affected by the bombing) still suffer from diseases caused by radiation exposure. According to the government data, their number totals 183,519. Many of them dedicated their lives to awareness-building efforts to make sure that this terrible tragedy is never repeated again. Read more

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