Workshop �U Towards a Nuclear Weapons Convention -An Incremental Approach in a Clear Framework of Abolition- Coordinators Toshinori Yamada (Japan, Lecturer, Meiji University School of Law) Alyn Ware (NewZealand,International Peace Bureau) Panelists David Krieger (USA, President, Nuclear Age Foundation) Achin Vanaik (India, Professor, Delhi University) Masao Tomonaga (Japan, Director, Nagasaki Branch, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) Katsuya Kodama (Japan, Professor, Mie University) Workshop �Uwas held to discuss what kind of international conventions are required to realize "a World Free of Nuclear Weapons," in addition to their details, significance, the road toward realization, and possible difficulties. This was done under the theme: "Toward a Nuclear Weapons Convention-An Incremental Approach in a Clear Framework of Abolition-." Alyn Ware of the International Peace Bureau from New Zealand and Toshinori Yamada served as coordinators. David Krieger, president of the Nuclear Age Foundation from the U.S.; Katsuya Kodama, professor of Mie University; Achin Vanaik, professor of Delhi University from India; and Masao Tomonaga as director of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), Nagasaki Branch, participated in the workshop as panelists. The workshop's flow started from each panelist' speech, which was followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Lastly, each panelist and coordinator delivered summary speeches. The first speaker was Toshinori Yamada, who delivered an explanatory speech prior to the panelists on what the Nuclear Weapons Conventions are. He explained about 1) the methodology of the abolition of nuclear weapons through Nuclear Weapons Conventions, 2) what the Model Nuclear Weapons Conventions were in that methodology, and 3) issues in realizing the Model Nuclear Weapons Conventions. As for the issues in item 3), he pointed out the necessity of (a) breaking away from the nuclear deterrent theory, (b) discussion about ideas on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Power, and (c) rules on providing relief for hibakusha (A-bomb survivors). David Krieger In David Krieger's speech, four requirements for the Nuclear Weapons Conventions were pointed out: 1) planning incremental measures to abolish nuclear weapons (incremental approach), 2) having a mechanism to verify the measures (verifiable), 3) ensuring that measures cannot be backtracked (irreversible), and 4) securing transparency of the measures (transparency). He emphasized the importance of roles of civil society, explaining that these four requirements can be implemented even in the negotiation process of the convention and that forming the political will to realize this convention is even more important. Katsuya Kodama Katsuya Kodama then proposed the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Process from the perspective of how a movement for the abolition of nuclear weapons should be formed. This is a process of 1) establishing a Convention on the Prohibition of the Use and Threat of Nuclear Weapons, 2) concluding a Convention on the Prohibition of the Development of Nuclear Weapons, and 3) leading this to a Convention on the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons. In addition, Kodama proposed the realization of nuclear weapons abolition by simultaneously forming the Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone Treaties from a global perspective and by combining the treaties with the conventions mentioned in 1),2) and3). Kodama pointed out how important it is that establishing the will to ban nuclear weapons start from non-nuclear weapon states such as Japan, rather than waiting for agreement by nuclear weapon states to ban nuclear weapons. Achin Vanaik Furthermore, Achin Vanaik pointed out that the Gandhian Plan (proposed by then Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi in 1988), which was proposed with the aim of abolishing nuclear weapons, has become a dead letter, glossing over India's nuclear policies. In addition, he concretely introduced India's efforts toward the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), and the no first use poicy. He also mentioned the importance of realizing the Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone (MEWMDFZ). In conclusion, he proposed that making the Kashmir Area a nuclear weapons-free zone (NWFZ) by India and Pakistan, expanding the Bangkok Treaty (Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone Treaty) to Bangladesh, and realizing Nepal'single-state nuclear weapons-free zone status should be promoted. Masao Tomonaga Lastly, Masao Tomonaga asked why the nuclear abolition process, which had been talked about by the specialists, had to take so long, and expressed his expectation that the Model Nuclear Weapons Convention would be promising. He also pointed out that the declaration on the No First Use of Nuclear Weapons was truly significant and that it was necessary to establish the human will for nuclear abolition through the power of citizens. In the Q&A session with the audience and discussion among panelists, two points became the main focuses of the discussion. One was the feasibility of Nuclear Weapons Conventions, and the other was the issue of how citizens' power should be concentrated. First, with regard to the feasibility of Nuclear Weapons Conventions, the discussion started with an issue brought up by coordinators as to whether priority should be put on banning the use of nuclear weapons or on reducing the number of nuclear weapons. Regarding this issue, as clearly stated in the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the legality of nuclear weapons (in 1996), Krieger put forward the opinion that the illegality of the use of nuclear weapons has already been established. In addition, Kodama pointed out that the important thing was to confirm the illegality, and the confirmation on the side of non-nuclear weapon states was proposed in the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Process. Besides, Alyn Ware pointed out that it was necessary to take all feasible measures in any case, and that it was important to initiate the preparatory work for Nuclear Weapons Conventions. Each panelist then was asked to include the point in question on the concentration of citizens� power in their summary speech due to the limited time. Regarding this point, Krieger pointed out the necessity of education on the issue of nuclear weapons, stating that such education can particularly contribute to mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan. He also pointed out the necessity of expanding the network of civil society. Tomonaga further pointed out that the roles of hibakusha (A-bomb survivors), remained very important. Moreover, Kodama pointed out that it was more necessary than ever for civil society to indicate positive and constructive measures to abolish nuclear weapons. In this workshop, diverse questions were raised regarding the realization of Nuclear Weapons Conventions, and discussion was held especially from the practical point of view of leading to actual activities. The workshop could be said to be significant in that "a World Free of Nuclear Weapons" was not a far-off dream, that a Model Nuclear Weapons Convention was presented as a concrete plan, and that, based on this, detailed discussion was held. Increased interest of citizens in future Nuclear Weapons Conventions will be expected.