The Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) held its national meeting of prefectural secretaries on November 29 and 30 in Tokyo to discuss ways to promote the anti-nuclear signature campaign toward the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
Representatives of 44 prefectural Gensuikyo and national organizations that are Gensuikyo members took part in the meeting.
Secretary General Taka Hiroshi said, "Some argue a change might be brought by the next US administration led by Barack Obama. But our movement should be a driving force to force change. Let us turn the possibility to move toward a nuclear-free world into a reality."
Taka said that in response to the Japan Gensuikyo proposal, active discussions are underway by activists outside of Japan regarding action plans toward the next NPT Review Conference, and the demand is increasing regarding the need to urge Obama to fulfill his election policy to abolish nuclear weapons. Taka called on participants to fulfill their roles as representatives of Japan's peace movement.
Participants exchanged information about their local activities. A representative of Tokushima Prefecture said that local Gensuikyo members are visiting commercial, agricultural, and fisheries organizations, elderly people's groups, women's groups, and neighborhood associations every week asking for their cooperation in the signature campaign calling for a world free of nuclear weapons.
A representative from Aichi Prefecture said that after returning from this year's World Conference against A & H Bombs, young people have motivated local labor unions and other organizations to participate in the signature campaign.
Participants from national member organizations expressed their determination to lead a nationwide anti-nuclear movement.
A representative of the New Japan Women's Association reported that an increasing number of its members are trying to collect more than 100 signatures by themselves, and it hopes to increase its efforts to hold signature drives in front of schools, in local festivals, parks and other places in order to reach out to the widest possible range of people.
