Second Meeting of States Parties to the
Treaty on the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons
Reject War, Reject Nuclear Weapons Now Is the Time for the International Community to Act in Solidarity
Working paper submitted by New Japan Women’s Association
I. Uphold the Charter of the United Nations and International Law to Resolve the Crisis
1. Founded in 1962, the New Japan Women’s Association is a non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its members are working all over the country to promote peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons, as well as women’s rights and gender equality.
2. Following the threats of use of nuclear weapons by Russia in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Israeli minister said that dropping a nuclear bomb on Gaza was “one of the possible options.” The statement goes against Article 1 of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons banning the use and threat of use of nuclear weapons, and that is a violation of international law. While at the same time, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a nuclear military alliance, and the military alliances depending on the nuclear deterrence such as the one between Japan and the United States are reinforcing their military capabilities, deepening global divisions. The risk of war escalating into a nuclear war is growing as never before.
3. Failure to curb global warming has resulted in extreme heatwaves, wildfire, droughts, floods and other catastrophic weather events hitting all over the world. Climate crisis is imminent, and the very survival of humanity and the planet is at stake. This is not the time to waste money on war and arms buildup. We call on governments not to instigate division and confrontation by strengthening military blocs, but instead to be united in solidarity under the Charter of the United Nations and international law, so that the world can find a way to end wars, resolve the crisis and get back on track toward a sustainable future. In this regard, we sincerely hope that Japan, as the country having contacts with Israel and Arab nations, trusted by both sides because of Article 9 of the country’s Constitution stipulating the renunciation of war and the denial of the right of belligerency, to play a vital role in resolving the crisis through peace diplomacy.
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