Obama makes case for nuclear disarmament during Japan trip

World Today

U.S. President Barack Obama is not apologizing for the U.S. nuclear attack on the Japanese city of Hiroshima nearly 71 years ago. But he’s using his visit there to push for a world without nuclear weapons.

He has issued this call throughout his presidency, but at the same time has authorized the upgrade of America’s own nuclear arsenal, which critics said may encourage other nuclear powers to do the same.

CCTV America’s Nathan King reports.

Once adversaries but now allies, the U.S. hopes the lessons of the past will transform the future.

“Our visit to Hiroshima will honor all those who were lost in World War II and reaffirm our shared vision of a world without nuclear weapons as well as highlight the extraordinary alliance that we have been able to forge over these many decades,” Obama said.

The U.S. said it’s not increasing the number of nuclear weapons, but it’s testing smaller, more accurate devices. Critics argue that could make the use of nuclear weapons more conceivable.

Russia has called the developments openly provocative while the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea said the growing U.S. threat prompted the DPRK’s alleged hydrogen bomb test earlier this year.

Critics also argue the potential U.S. forward deployment of anti-ballistic missile technology like the THADD system in the Republic of Korea could threaten China and Russia’s nuclear deterrents leading both countries to further upgrade their systems.

While neither the U.S. nor Japan is apologizing for their aerial attacks on each other’s territory during World War II, the promise of nuclear weapons free future is something they, and other world powers, can work towards.


Togzhan Kassenova discusses the G7 summit and nuclear security

To take a look at the G-7 summit and how nuclear security and nonproliferation will impact the meetings, CCTV America’s Elaine Reyes spoke with Togzhan Kassenova, associate in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment.