Saturday morning’s Mainichi reported that several GOJ sources disclosed that the GOJ has decided to participate in the negotiations to conclude a convention to prohibit nuclear weapons, which will start on March 27 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The paper said the GOJ faced criticism from A-bomb survivors when it opposed the Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC) last October. While Japan will reportedly maintain its position against the convention, it will join the talks in order to support constructive discussions between the nuclear powers and non-nuclear powers. Foreign Minister Kishida reportedly told reporters on Saturday: “If we join the talks, we must convey our position.” He also stressed the need to promote nuclear disarmament in an effective manner with the participation of nuclear powers. Noting that the USG is unlikely to join the talks, the paper quoted a GOJ official as saying: “Japan is the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack and is also a neutral nation. Our position is different from that of the U.S.”

In a related development, Sunday morning’s Mainichi reported that Japanese Communist Party leader Shii, who is currently visiting the U.S., met with UN Undersecretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Kim Won-soo on Friday at the UN Headquarters in New York. The paper said Shii handed Kim a letter calling for an early conclusion of a convention to prohibit nuclear weapons. Shii reportedly pointed out: “Making nuclear weapons illegal and labeling them as evil will motivate nuclear powers to relinquish their nuclear weapons.” Kim reportedly responded: “We should continue to hold discussions because while everyone agrees on the goal, there are various ways to achieve it.”