Hibakusha groups call on Japan to attend nuke ban treaty meetings

In a written request submitted to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at a meeting in the city of Hiroshima, the prefecture's capital, on the day, the hibakusha groups said the treaty is the only viable platform for promoting nuclear disarmament.

"Japan is the only country that can tell the world about the horrors of atomic bombs," Ishiba said, adding, "We must create a world without nuclear weapons."

He also voiced his hope to create more opportunities for talks with hibakusha groups. Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of the August 6, 1945, U.S. atomic bombing of the city.

In talks with reporters after the meeting, Toshiyuki Mimaki, who heads one of the seven hibakusha groups, showed expectations for Ishiba to make a decision on Japan's participation in treaty meetings as an observer.

Quoting Ishiba as saying that he wants to meet members of hibakusha groups again, Mimaki, 83, said, "The prime minister may change his mind."

Ishiba then visited Yano Orizuru-en, a nursing home for hibakusha in the city.

He told residents of the facility that he remembers watching archival footage of the atomic bombing when he was in elementary school.

"We need to constantly think about what we should do to prevent a similar thing from happening again and what the government can do for those affected by the bombing and their children," he said.

Setsuko Yamayoshi, 84, who received a bouquet of flowers from Ishiba, told reporters, "I want politics that can bring peace."