Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said Wednesday he plans to express concern over the re-emergence of Cold War-era tensions when he delivers his peace declaration to mark the 73rd anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japanese city.
Amid a growing tendency in the world to put national interests first, Matsui will warn that this could create tensions reminiscent of the Cold War, a period of mounting fears of nuclear conflict.
The mayor unveiled the gist of this year's peace declaration, which he will make next Monday at a memorial ceremony to remember the 1945 atomic bombing.
After North Korea agreed to work toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, he will say society truly hopes for a further easing of tensions on the peninsula.
On the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons that was adopted last year, Matsui will call for efforts to make it a "milestone" in realizing a world without nuclear weapons.
(Hiroshima Peace Memorial)
Japan, having relied on U.S. nuclear deterrence for its security in the postwar era, did not sign the treaty.
In the declaration, he will also urge the Japanese government to play a role so that the international community will work toward the abolition of nuclear weapons through dialogue and coordination, according to the gist.
