(August 7, 1999, The Chugoku Shimbun)

Japan's Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi participated in the "Meeting with the A-bomb Survivors for Dialogue" on August 6th in a hotel located in Hiroshima City. Representatives from seven organizations related to the A-bombing and survivors urged the government to cement plans for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

With the Minister of Health and Welfare Sohei Miyashita participating, survivors urged the government to work positively toward nuclear abolition. They also called for the realization of a survivors' relief law and promotion of support policies for overseas survivors. Some people expressed their concerns about the Japan-US Defense Cooperation Guideline-Related Bills, which recently passed the Upper House and became law.

Taking into consideration the "Tokyo Forum for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament" proposal, Obuchi said, "Although we must achieve the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, reality tells us that it is difficult to proceed at once. The method we should take is to avoid further conflicts between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. It's better to keep trying a realistic measure such as "Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty - CTBT".

Prime Minister was not so enthusiastic in responding to some survivors who asked for legislation of the "Triple Nuclear Principle - not to make, possess or bring in nuclear weapons". He said, "I think the principle has been already well transpired domestically and internationally."

In regard to providing a medical training program in Japan for North Korean (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) doctors, Obuchi answered positively, "I will examine and arrange this matter with the Chief of Secretary of the Cabinet and arrange."

After the meeting, Secretary General of the Hiroshima A-bomb Survivors Liaison Council, Koushiro Kondo talked about Prime Minister, "Although I noticed Obuchi refrained himself from discussing freely due to consideration to nuclear weapon states but generally, I had a warm-impression on him as a Dove."