Hiseido is especially strong in its public criticism of the Sato government for its weak stand on nuclear weapons. When Prime Minister Sato visited Hiroshima last August 6, he was the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit that city since the dropping of the bomb. Hiseido organized a demonstration to protest the visit.

"No previous Prime Minister could visit the city because the bitterness towards the government for ignoring the suffering of the bombing victims was so great. Sato said he came here to pray for the dead and to commemorate the city as a symbol of world peace. We A-Bomb victims could not allow him to come to the ground where our parents and brothers and sisters died under the negligence of his government."

The Sato government has been trying for some time to allay fears of nuclear weaponry among the Japanese people. Many observers here feel that, despite official disclaimers, this is part of government plans to pave the way for popular acceptance of Japanese nuclear armament, now non-existent. Certainly, Japanese industry is ready. It is estimated that nuclear warheads could be produced within two years at the most.

But in Japan, the nuclear issue is charged with emotion. Recently, a Japanese Diet member exposed the probable presence of U.S. nuclear weapons at Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, ironically only 22 miles south of Hiroshima. The reaction in the Iwakuni area and throughout Japan was strong--but none stronger than that of the A-Bomb victims.

"We want the nuclear weapons removed from Iwakuni and we want them destroyed. If they are just taken out of out country, they will be sent to Thailand or Kores and used for oppressing the people there.

"All people in power claim that nuclear weapons are absolute and can solve all problems. But we A-Bomb victims know that is wrong. Although we face an unknown death every day, as we survive and continue to survive, we will never allow the use of nuclear weapons again."

Copyright 1972, Dispatch News Service International