A-bomb survivors react fiercely to secret pacts

A-bomb survivors react fiercely to revelation of secret pacts

HIROSHIMA (Kyodo) -- Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which suffered U.S. atomic bombings at the end of World War II, reacted fiercely Tuesday to a government-appointed panel's acknowledgement of the existence of Japan-U.S. secret pacts, including one allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons into the country.

"As the government of the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, I must say it is pathetic. The state must apologize to the people for lying to them," said Sunao Tsuboi, the head of the Hiroshima chapter of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization, known as Nihon Hidankyo.

"How did previous prime ministers dare to come to peace memorial ceremonies on Aug. 6?" he said, while expressing expectations that Japan's three non-nuclear principles will be made into law.

Hiroshima Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki released a statement saying it would be "extremely regrettable" if the non-nuclear principles forbidding the possession, manufacture or introduction of nuclear weapons in the country had been contravened.

"We strongly demand that the state abide by the principles as a national creed and work harder towards nuclear abolition," he said.

Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue said the Japanese government has cheated atomic-bomb survivors by concealing the Japan-U.S. secret pacts on nuclear weapons for a long period of time.

"It's really regrettable that the secret pacts have existed for a long time outside the public eye," Taue told reporters in Nagasaki. "And it's deplorable (the government) has betrayed the confidence of atomic-bomb survivors over the three non-nuclear principles."

Taue also said he wants to urge the government to make the three principles into law in cooperation with the Hiroshima municipal government.

(Mainichi Japan) March 10, 2010