- Title: JAPAN: UN Secretary Ban meets Japanese students
- Date: 5th August 2010
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (AUGUST 4, 2010) (REUTERS) UN SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON WALKING UP ONTO PODIUM BEFORE APPLAUDING STUDENTS UN FLAG BAN STANDING ON STAGE STUDENTS CLAPPING HANDS BAN TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "Disarmament must be an essential part of international peace and security. Disarmament is a practical necessity for a safer world for all." MORE OF BAN TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "Tell the stories of the survivors of the nuclear bombs, the 'hibakusha'. Their testimony is the most graphic argument against nuclear threats. The world needs you and your vision. Japan's young people to keep the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki alive." BAN LISTENING TO STUDENT'S QUESTION STUDENT ASKING QUESTION TO BAN STUDENT LISTENING TO BAN BAN WALKING OFF STAGE AS STUDENTS CLAP HANDS
- Embargoed: 20th August 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: International Relations,Education
- Reuters ID: LVA3R0Z5863AHOJE7E8G585DV6FD
- Story Text: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday (August 4) called on Japan to use their experience as the only country in the world to have suffered a nuclear attack to push for global nuclear disarmament.
"Disarmament must be an essential part of international peace and security. Disarmament is a practical necessity for a safer world for all," Ban told hundreds of Japanese students in Tokyo. Ban made the statements ahead of his participation in the ceremonies in Hiroshima on Friday to commemorate the atomic bombing of the city 65 years ago.
Ban will be the first U.N. chief to attend the annual peace memorial ceremony to remember the first nuclear bomb to be dropped on a civilian target.
Ban told Japanese students that nuclear disarmament is a difficult, however achievable goal.
"Tell the stories of the survivors of the nuclear bombs, the 'hibakusha.' Their testimony is the most graphic argument against nuclear threats. The world needs you and your vision. Japan's young people to keep the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki alive," said Ban.
The city of Hiroshima holds the annual event at the city's Peace Memorial Park, near spot where the bomb detonated on August 6, 1945, killing thousands and leveling the city.
The Hiroshima bomb unleashed a mixure of shockwaves, heat rays and radiation that killed thousands instantly. By the end of 1945, the toll had risen to some 140,000 out of an estimated population of 350,000. Thousands more died of illness and injuries later.
On Aug. 9, 1945, three days after the Hiroshima attack, another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.
Japan surrendered on August 15 1945, bringing to an end to the military aggression that had culminated in its entry into World War Two. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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