[Correspondence][Essay][Discussion]
Hearing that you open the home page in Internet, we cordially express
our congratulations. It is satisfactory that the people around the world have
come to obtain the opportunity to send the favorable information and receive
the information they need through the Internet by using their own PC.
Around 20 numbers of societies of physicians against nuclear war are now
established and extending their activities nationwide in Japan. Also, the Japan affiliate of
IPPNW is located in the medical association in Hiroshima Prefecture and has
the close connection with its headquarters in Boston.
The PSR (Physicians for Social Responsibility), also functioning as the U.S.
affiliate of IPPNW, has already opened its home page in the Internet and we
hear IPPNW itself is also opening its home page before long.
The magazine of“Medicine and Global Survival" which is published by the
collaboration of IPPNW, PSR and PHR (Physicians for Human Right) has
turned out to be issued on-line of the Internet from this year.
It is wonderful that you planned to make use of this new information
system as an initiator of physicians' societies in Japan for opening the
forum which will function as the place to exchange opinions of physicaians
hoping to realize the nuclear-free world. Your activity will help unite
the various societies of physicians not only in Japan but all over the
world for the preparation of making unaminous and utmost effort for the
elimination of nuclear weapons.
The day of July 7, 1937 is when that 15-year war, having been unable to
be avoided after all, broke out at Lugouqiao in the suburbs of Peking.
It is reminded as a hard memory that the Japanese people were completely
cut off the way to obtain the exact information about war andpeace 59 years
ago. Today our environment of sending and receiving information has become
something completely different from that in the past, and it is very
important for us to apply this new environment to the elimination of nuclear
weapons and the realization of peace.
We sincerely hope that your challenge will be succeeded. July 7, 1996.
Mitsuo Suzuki, M.D. Ph.D.,Representative of PPNW Gunma.
On July, 1996, the advisory opinion of the International Court of
Justice confirmed that any threatening by nuclear weapon, or use of it is
illegal. As Mr. Rob Green, the chairman of the World Court Project of the
United Kingdom expected, there is no doubt that the present situation of the
superpowers is internationally illegal because their officially stated
raison d'etat of nuclear armament is deterrence, in other words, it is
threatening to force other countries not to use nuclear weapons.
Promulgated on November 3, 1946
We, the Japanese people, desire peace for all time and are deeply conscious of the high ideals controlling human relationship, and we have determined to preserve our security and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world. We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerance for all time from the earth. We recognize that all peoples of the world have the right to live in peace, free from fear and want.
We, the Japanese people, pledge our national honor to accomplish these high ideals and purposes with all our resources.
CHAPTER II. RENUNCIATION OF WAR
ARTICLE 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat of use of force as means of settling international disputes.
In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The
right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
1. Present Situation
However, the cold war mentality still exists, and hegemonism and power politics continue to be the main source or threat to world peace and stabi1ity.The unjust and irrational old international economic order is still harming the interests of developing countries, and gap in wealth is widening. Local conflicts due to ethnic, religious and territorial factors crop up from time to time. The world is not yet tranquil.
２. Peaceful Coexistence
We strongly support the views that opting for dialogue and cooperation and against confrontation or conflict has been a shared view of the world people. Whether in creating a peaceful and secure international environment of long‐term stability, or in establishing a new international economic order featuring mutual benefit, complementarity and common development，or in tackling the challenges to human survival and development，we need mutual coordination and close cooperation. All countries should settle their disputes and conflicts through peaceful consultants instead of resorting to force or the threat of it. No one should interfere in the internal affairs of other country under any pretext, stil1less bully the weak, invade or subvert other countries. A11of us should work to bring about a just and rational new international political and economic order. All countries are entitled to choose the social systems, development strategies and lifestyles that suit their own conditions. The relation with other countries should be improved and developed on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and always observed the purpose and principles of the United Nations. All countries should respect each other and live together in amity regardless of their differences of social systems and ideologies.
3. Arms Control and Disarmament
Given the new international situation as such， the importance of arms control and disarmament has become ever more apparent to the international community, both as a component of national security policies and as an effective measure to reduce the danger of war.
Protracted, unremitting efforts by the international community have led some progress in international arms control and disarmament and also in nuclear disarmament in the past few years. Nonetheless， mankind should remain coolly cognizant that the path to international arms control and disarmament is still extremely complex and difficult. The major nuclear powers, with the world*s most sophisticated and largest quantity of nuclear weapons in hand, have neither abandoned their policy of nuclear deterrence nor stopped the development of nuclear weapons and outer space weapons including guided missile defense systems.
4.China's View on Nuclear Weapons
We have been observing that from the first day it gained nuclear weapons, China has solemnly and unilaterally undertaken not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at anytime and any circumstance and unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non‐nuclear‐weapon states or nuclear-weapon‐free zones． As a nuclear-weapon state, China never shies away from its due obligations, advocating that nuclear‐weapon states should undertake not to be the first to use nuclear weapons and repeatedly proposing the nuclear weapon states negotiate and conclude an international treaty on the no‐first‐use of nuclear weapons against each other.
The information collected by us showed that China supports the three major goals set forth in the Treaty on the Non‐Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, accelerating nuclear disarmament, and promoting international cooperation in the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy. The unconditional and indefinite extension of NPT has an important and profound significance in world peace and security of the future． The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) does significantly restrict the ability of nuclear weapons states to test and produce more advanced nuclear weapons and is a necessary step leading to reduction and total elimination of nuclear weapons. China is firmly convinced that CTBT facilitates acceleration of nuclear disarmament and prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons, and a nuclear weapons free world must be achieved carefully and in a
step by step manner.
5. North Asia Nuclear Free Zone
Geographically China is located in the Asian‐Pacific region, and understandably is special concerned with the security, stability, peace and development in the region, especially in the North Asia area. We are informed that China is ready to strengthen his co-operation with countries concerned to meet various challenges and make positive contribution to the region. Recognizing that maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula is of great importance， China should work through the four‐party talk to help establish a durable peace on the peninsula and continue consultation to this end. Therefore，the proposal by relevant nations on the establishment of nuclear‐free‐zone in the Korean Peninsula，and also in South Asia，Southeast Asia and the Middle East already have been supported. We, the physicians of the world, have our special obligation to work on "Health for All." The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and states． We believe that in principle without health there will be no peace, and no development, and vice versa. One of the best way to achieve the HFA goal is to keep away all kinds of war, either civil or international, especially the nuclear ones.
Being an IPPNW affiliate in China, the Chinese Society of Radiation Medicine and Protection undoubtedly should work hard with the affiliates in the North Asia Region for nuclear free North Asia zone in general and in the Korean Peninsula in particular.
In order to achieve this goal many protracted effort should be made in the years to come.
The information communication network among the IPPNW affiliates in this region should be established as soon as possible, so as to exchange the views and share the experience from their work in due time.
With the collaboration of relevant peace and disarmament NGOs，many programs on peace studies should be made, e.g. in China the cooperation with Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD) is very essentia1. The outcomes of these studies could be disseminated and utilized for advocacy nationwide．
Various national and international workshops on nuclear weapons, on nuclear hazard, and even on peace and war should be organized from time to time, e.g. the international Workshop on Retrospective Dosimetry （Physical and Biological Aspects）was held in Tianjin by our Society recently, aiming at the reinforcement of the radiation epidemiology studies and the illustration of the harmful radiation effects.
IPPNW*s vision on Abolition 2000 Campaign, war disaster, on environment and development, etc. should be publicized as much as possible to the decision makers of different fields and to the general public.
However the achievement of regional nuclear‐free‐zones， depending very much on the progress of the global arms control and disarmament could be realized, should the major nuclear powers wish to abandon their policy of nuclear deterrence.
In the recent years, while there has been some relaxation in the international situation, peace has not prevailed in the world. On the regional level, tensions persist. Armed conflicts and local wars break out continuously. We are well aware that the complete eradication of the disaster of wars in general and nuclear weapons in particular remains a highly complex and difficult task before us.
In the future we will unswervingly advocate the elimination of nuclear weapons and work untiringly to bring a peaceful, stable，prosperous and happy new world into the twenty first century.
JAPAN'S ROLE IN ASIAN SECURITY
By Ronald McCoy（IPPNW Co-President）
A LETTER from JPRI ON REDEPLOYMENT OF MARINE DIVISIONS IN OKINAWA
Aiming at a Nuclear Free North Asia: Role of IPPNW
Chinese Society of Radiation Medicine and Protection (CSRMP),CMA China
THE SOUTHEAST ASIA NUCLEAR WEAPON-FREE ZONE TREATY
Ronald McCoy, IPPNW Co-President
Using Japan's Constitution to Promote Global Security and Peace
Report of IPPNW96
Make Japan To Stand Up For Her Constitution
MAKE JAPAN TO STAND UP FOR HER OWN CONSTITUTION, Art. 9 (Renunciation of war)
Teiichiro Tonoue (Tokyo Physicians for Elimination of Nuclear Weapons)
Now their excuse for their keeping nuclear arsenal is that the ICJ did
not conclude definitely whether or not the threat by, or use of, nuclear
weapons would be lawful under the extreme circumstances of self-defense,
when the very survival of a State would be at stake.
Commonsense of ordinary people understand that the ICJ did not admit
keeping nuclear weapons. There is no foreseeable danger to survival of
any nuclear weapon states.
However, I am afraid that, as the key word of excuse, the concept of
self-defense could be an indulgence for refusing abolition of nuclear
weapons. There is prevailing belief that the armaments for self-defense is
a sovereign right of every country. Therefore, it seems difficult to take
nuclear weapons away from the pretext of self-defense. If we agree with the
statement of Canberra Commission that now there is opportunity for
creating the world free of nuclear weapon, I think, we now have to ask
peace-loving people to reconsider the question whether the armaments for
self-defense are really the sovereign right of the state.
Fifty years ago one country, that was Japan, definitely renounced the
right of self-defense by military means. Please pay attention to or to
recall the fact that Japan has swore in her constitution to renounce war
forever as a sovereign right of the nation. It clearly says that the right
of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
To have such a statement in the constitution was historically unprecedented
and idealistic at the time of its promulgation. At that time I was 15 years
old, but I can well remember that newspapers everyday reported vigorous
debates at the National Assembly. And I am a witness for the fact that over
90 % Japanese people sincerely supported the idea of renouncing armaments
for self-defense.
Why was such an idealistic, unprecedented and definite statement supported by
Japanese people who were conservative and militaristic only a few years
before? Such a situation was produced by two historical reasons.
One reason was that there was no doubt that Japan was an assailant to
Asian countries in the war. The Asian people suffered from Japanese
invasion so severely that it was beyond description. They could not allow
Japan to restore its militaristic nature. Also, undoubtedly, most Japanese
at that time deeply regretted the past conduct.
The second important impact was the experience of nuclear bombing in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Knowing what happened with the explosion in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, most Japanese people intuitively realized the
nature of the century with atomic bombs where any pretext for war is
meaningless because the pretext itself evaporates in a moment by a single
explosion of atomic bomb. There was no hesitation to throw away the pretext
of national right of self-defense.
Therefore, Article 9 of Japanese constitution, that is, Renunciation of
war, is a crystallized product not only of denunciation by the Asian
victims of Japanese invasion but also of the wisdom emerged at a sacrifice
of victims in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This is why the Article 9 of Japanese
Constitution is not only a foothold for peace-loving Japanese but also a
theoretical basis for making the world free of nuclear weapons.
The Japanese government should advertise this idealistic and farseeing
nature of the constitution toward the whole world. If many people in the
world get to have knowledge of the Japanese constitution, it must make the
superpowers difficult to maneuver for keeping arsenals of nuclear weapons
in the name of self-defense.
At this moment of movements for making the nuclear weapons free world,
the conduct of the Japanese government concerning its constitution may have
an international importance.
Recently a spirited American sociologist, Professor DiFilippo proposed a
new global security system whish is compatible with Japanese constitution.
However, I am afraid only a few people in the world have ever learned the
fact that the Japanese Constitution stands upon trusting in the peace-loving
peoples of the world. Yes it does, though the fact may hardly be imagined
from recent conduct of the Japanese government concerning international
affairs. In reality, Japan has rebuilt armaments which are already one of
the greatest in the world. At the same time they are officially saying
that Japan maintains only the minimum necessary self-defense capability.
No body can consider that the present Japanese self-defense capability is
compatible with the statement in the constitution.
As a matter of fact, Japanese conservative political parties which
control the government have many members who wish to delete the paragraph
stating renunciation of war. Of course, at present, the majority of Japanese
people still so firmly support the constitution that it dies hard. However,
we can never be optimistic that Japanese government would positively
undertake to make the peace constitution popular in the world.
Also Asian countries and people failed so far to prevent the growth of
armaments of Japan. I can understand the situation since every country
doesn't like to interfere in internal affairs of others.
However, we are having a good opportunity for making Japan to declare
that Japan will be faithful to its peace constitution. Japanese government
is expressing its strong wish to be a permanent member of the Security
Council of the United Nations. Of course a permanent member of the Security
Council will play decisively important roles in peace-keeping in Asian area.
At the same time it is an unforgettable historical fact that Asian people
have suffered from Japanese invasion. Therefore, no matter what the vote on
Japanese candidacy for a permanent member of the Security Council, Asian
countries have authentic right to inquire Japanese government on behalf of
victims of Japanese invasion whether the right of belligerency is truly
renounced forever.
Such a bargaining may be advantageous to our movements for the nuclear
weapons free world in several respects.
First, this international discussion itself may help many people in the world to learn about the Japanese peace constitution and how it has emerged. This may trigger many people to reconsider the sovereign right of belligerency in the presence of nuclear weapons. This also may make nuclear weapon states uncomfortable in keeping their arsenals in the name of self-defense.
Secondly, if the Japanese government is obliged to declare that Japan has no right of belligerency literally as the constitution states, then a possibility will emerge that Japan makes up its mind to step out from the nuclear umbrella set by the US-Japan Security Treaty, and to take a real initiative for abolishing nuclear weapons. This seems essential for establishing East Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone including China and Korea.
Thirdly, since complete denial of the very heart of its own constitution is impossible for Japanese government, the response to Asian countries will restrain Japan, at least, not to join the club of nuclear weapons states of the present permanent members of security council. Otherwise, nuclear weapon states would much easily manipulate international affairs such as CTBT issue by taking Japan into their circle as an effective non-nuclear weapon state which is easy to deal with.
I am ashamed that we don't have enough influence on our own government
and have failed to make the government to accomplish what had to be done so
far. But would you please understand that the behavior of Japanese
government concerning nuclear weapon disarmament not only is the interest
of Japanese people but also could influence abolition of nuclear weapons.
As I told earlier, Asian people now have an opportunity for making Japan
to stand up for her own peace constitution which, I believe, emerged in
response to will of thousands of thousands of victims of the pacific war.
Therefore, I am asking you to push your government and to encourage every
peace-loving NGO to inquire Japanese government about the attitude to the
own peace constitution when Japan is eager to become a permanent member of
the Security Council of United Nations. Any response by Japanese government
will provoke the reaction of Japanese people which, I am sure, must be
toward the abolition of nuclear weapons from the world. I am asking you this
because I believe this is the responsibility of my generation who actually
knows how the Japanese constitution was promulgated. The Constitution of Japan
Aiming at a Nuclear Free North Asia: Role of IPPNW
Chinese Society of Radiation Medicine and Protection (CSRMP),CMA China
Presented at The First Conference of IPPNW-North Asia Region, November 1997 in Nagasaki by
Lu Rushan, Hon Director of the Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.
3, Yabao Road, Chaoyang District. Beijing 100020, China.
e-mail:lurs@cdm.imicams.ac.cn
We now are aware that the international situation as a whole continues to undergo profound changes. Peace and development are generally recognized as two main themes of the present era The world is moving multipolarity with great momentum. The development of this trend contributes to world peace, stability and prosperity. It has become the mainstream of the times to desire peace, seek cooperation and promote development. It is most likely that for a fairly long period or time to come， it will be possible to avert a new world war and secure a favorable, peaceful international environment.
We are looking forward to your comments and discussion.
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