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RENGO Statements and Views

Statement on the Closing of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference

29 August 2022

1. It is extremely regrettable that the result has led to a destabilized NPT framework
The NPT Review Conference, held at UN Headquarters in New York, ended on August 26 (local time) without the adoption of an outcome document due to the opposition of Russia. Continuing on from the previous conference in 2015, this is the first time an outcome document has failed to be adopted twice in succession since the treaty came into force in 1970. It is extremely regrettable that this result has led to a great destabilization of the NPT framework, which has for many years performed a central role in discussions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

2. All countries that possess nuclear weapons should engage in sincere dialogue with international society

This conference began with Russia implementing a military invasion of Ukraine and repeatedly making statements suggesting the use of nuclear weapons in violation of the spirit of this treaty. While deleting mentions by name of Russia occupying the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine and statements concerning the so-called “no-first-use of nuclear weapons” policy with consideration for Russia and other nuclear powers, the draft of the final document was unable to reach unanimous approval. The NPT framework must not be stripped of its content nor should progress in concrete initiatives toward the abolition of nuclear weapons be hindered due to the political intentions of the nuclear powers. It is now time for all countries that possess nuclear weapons to face up sincerely to international society and engage in a dialogue with eyes fixed firmly on the future.

3. We demand that the Japanese government perform its role as the sole country to suffer an A-bomb attack
At the beginning of the conference, Prime Minister Kishida, attending the NPT Review Conference for the first time as the Prime Minister of Japan, as well as declaring Japan’s action plan, including urging all countries that possess nuclear weapons to make their nuclear arsenals more transparent, called on all countries to take constructive action toward the maintenance and strengthening of the NPT framework. However, the discord between all countries that possess nuclear weapons and the non-nuclear-weapon states remained unresolved, and confrontation among all countries that possess nuclear weapons also intensified. Possibly being forced to accept the dwindling away of an opportunity for the abolition of nuclear weapons due to the failure to adopt an outcome document, as the sole country to suffer an A-bomb attack, the Japanese government should implement the action plan at the earliest possible date and should redouble diplomatic efforts for the early ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as well as the maintenance and strengthening of the NPT framework.

4. JTUC-RENGO will continue to strive for the abolition of nuclear weapons
In preparation for this conference, the three organizations, JTUC-RENGO, Japan Congress against A- and H-Bombs (GENSUIKIN) and National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons (KAKKIN), made appeals for their strong intentions to demand the abolition of nuclear weapons by, for example, taking action to gather “10 million Signatures for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons,” submitting over 8.24 million signatures to the United Nations and the Japanese government. Furthermore, at the JTUC-RENGO 2022 “Peace Action in Hiroshima” and “Peace Action in Nagasaki,” large numbers of our companions from all over the country gathered at the locations where the A-bombs were dropped to implement efforts aimed at the realization of the abolition of nuclear weapons and permanent peace. Going forward, JTUC-RENGO will cooperate with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to communicate broadly to international society the horror of nuclear weapons, and at the same time, together with related organizations and Mayors for Peace will continue to take every opportunity to raise public opinion by, for instance, demanding action in concert with international society’s call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Hideyuki SHIMIZU
General Secretary
Japanese Trade Union Confederation
(JTUC-RENGO)