Many thanks for the warm messages to the Hibakusha and the people assembled in Hiroshima and then in Nagasaki. These are the messages from which those who suffered from the A-bombs feel most heart-warmed and encouraged. I will translate all and forward them to all who should receive them.

Today, the Nagasaki Session of the 2009 World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs started. The Nagasaki City Gymnasium, the venue, was overflowed, the second hall where TV screen was set up for the audience was also overflowed, and the third hall was full of the people. A half or more of the participants were at age 10s, 20s, and early 30s, young people. The conference continues until Aug. 9.

What caused this is the change that you, in solidarity with the peace movements the world over, had so courageously and devotedly fought for and had won through massive actions and the elections.

Almost simultaneously, Prime minister Aso finally met the representatives of the Hibakusha and their lawyers, and signed an agreement with them promising that finally the government would recognize all Hibakusha who won the lawsuits at the regional court level as suffering from the diseased caused by the bomb and that it would pay the allowance. He also conceded in the agreement that it would also take relief measure for those who lost their cases at the courts. Though the whole system for the relief of the Hibakusha, including Korean and other sufferers living abroad should further be improved, this is certainly important victory of the Hibakusha.

The World Conference will discuss and firmly decide that more than thousand peace workers, including many Hibakusha, will go to New York to join with you in May 2, 2010 demonstration for a peaceful and just world without nuclear weapons.

Many, many thanks for your the warmest solidarity with us.

Hiroshi TAKA