Hiroshima, Nagasaki mayors commend Japan’s support for UN statements against nuclear weapons

(Source) http://japandailypress.com/hiroshima-nagasaki-mayors-commend-japans-support-for-un-statements-against-nuclear-weapons-2238286/
Oct 22, 2013
The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki commended the Japanese government’s support for two U.N. statements against the use of nuclear weapons. Being the two cities that suffered the devastating effect of atomic bombing during World War II, both are hoping that the use of nuclear weapons in the world will soon come to an end.
Japan, for the first time, endorsed two anti-nuclear weapon statements by the United Nations. The first was made by New Zealand, stating, “It is in the interest of the very survival of humanity that nuclear weapons are never used again, under any circumstances.” The other statement was made by Australia, which basically has the same principle as the one made by New Zealand.
According to Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, the government’s move is an indication of having the same intent like Hiroshima’s for a world without the threat of nuclear weapons. As for Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue, having Japan agreeing to the U.N. statements is a step for a nuclear-free world. Both mayors also challenged the government of Japan to step up and initiate leadership in guiding other countries to also commend the U.N. statements against nuclear weapons.
Despite having experienced the loss brought by atomic bombings within three days time back in the Second World War, Japan has not previously endorsed U.N. statements that discourage the development and use of nuclear weapons. Otherwise, Japan would be contradicting its policy of reliance on its ally, the United States. However, the pacifist government was able to agree with Australia and New Zealand’s statements, as both are technically not legally binding.