Hiroshima mayor to urge world leaders to spurn nuclear deterrence

The mayor of Hiroshima plans to urge world leaders to reject the theory of nuclear deterrence at an upcoming event to mark the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.

At a news conference on Friday, Mayor Matsui Kazumi presented the outline of the peace declaration he will read out at the August 6 ceremony. He will urge world leaders to acknowledge that the theory of nuclear deterrence is no longer logical in light of a political leader's recent threats to use nuclear arms.

He will ask them to face reality and reject the theory of nuclear deterrence. The mayor said he will call on the Japanese government to sign and join the Treaty on the Prohibition of nuclear weapons, and to take part as an observer at the signatories' conference of the treaty to be held in November.