Some two-thirds of atomic bomb survivors polled in a Kyodo News survey do not think the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima will reap any tangible progress toward achieving a world without nuclear weapons, results released Tuesday showed.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has made a world without nuclear arms a key theme of the annual meeting of the seven major industrialized nations, which takes place May 19-21 in the city devastated by an atomic bomb on Aug. 6, 1945.
The cool reception from 67.4 percent of the 521 respondents who were directly affected by the two U.S. atomic bombs dropped in World War II comes amid international calls for stronger deterrence following Russia's threats to use the weapons over its invasion of Ukraine.
The absence of nuclear powers including Russia and China from the summit was cited as a reason for their low expectations by 36.2 percent of respondents.
Japan's role as host was also under question, with 22.8 percent saying they are not confident in the country's ability to lead the talks.
Another 22.2 percent pointed to the fact that all the participants either possess nuclear weapons or are protected under nuclear agreements.
The G-7 groups Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.
Despite low expectations for the summit, 88.3 percent approved of Kishida's choice to hold the international gathering in the symbolic city that he also represents as a lawmaker.
According to the survey, 49.1 percent of those expressing approval said the decision offers a chance for world leaders to see and hear firsthand what the bomb did.
Asked what they hoped leaders would do in engaging with the city, 49.5 percent said they hoped the leaders will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, while 24.4 percent cited expectations that they will speak to survivors of the bombing.
Arrangements are underway for the leaders to meet survivors and visit the museum on the first day of the summit, according to a Japanese government source.
But in a blow for Kishida's aim to serve as a "bridge" between nuclear and non-nuclear states, just 2.1 percent of respondents said Japan has been able to fulfill the role.
Behind the lack of confidence is the Japanese government's refusal to participate in the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and focusing on non-proliferation instead.
Some survivors doled out strong criticism of the prime minister in their answers, with one writing that his stance "makes it hard to believe he is elected from Hiroshima."
When asked what they most want to see from the government, 47.4 percent of respondents pointed to Japan's speedy participation in the treaty.
The Kyodo News survey was sent to around 1,400 atomic bomb survivors, and received valid responses from 38.1 percent by the end of March.
According to Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare figures as of the end of March 2022, there were 118,935 officially confirmed atomic bomb survivors with their average age at 84.53.
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