Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the American envoy to the United Nations, visited Nagasaki, Japan, becoming the first U.S. cabinet member to do so. During her visit, she expressed the need for countries possessing atomic weapons to pursue nuclear disarmament. She also emphasized the importance of cooperation to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons globally and advocated for arms control measures. Standing in front of the atomic bomb museum, Thomas-Greenfield called for dialogue and diplomacy in the face of a growing nuclear threat in the region, stating that efforts must be made to ensure that Nagasaki is the last place to ever experience the horror of nuclear weapons.
The United States dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, leading to the destruction of the city and the deaths of 140,000 people. A second attack on Nagasaki three days later claimed the lives of 70,000 more people. Japan surrendered on August 15, officially ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression in Asia. Nagasaki Governor Kengo Oishi believes that Thomas-Greenfield’s visit to the museum and personal experience will send a powerful message promoting momentum for nuclear disarmament in the international community. He stressed the important role of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in highlighting the necessity for nuclear disarmament.
Thomas-Greenfield’s visit to Japan occurred after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s official visit to the United States, with the goal of strengthening Washington’s trilateral ties with Tokyo and Seoul. In South Korea, the ambassador held discussions with officials, met with defectors from North Korea, and visited the demilitarized zone. She also mentioned the United States considering setting up a new mechanism for monitoring North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. However, Russia and China have impeded U.S.-led efforts to increase U.N. sanctions on North Korea following its ballistic missile testing in 2022, underscoring a growing divide between permanent Security Council members amidst Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The United Nations Security Council recently established a committee to monitor sanctions, but Russia vetoed the renewal of its panel of experts to investigate violations. The panel reported investigating 58 suspected North Korean cyberattacks between 2017 and 2023, valued at approximately $3 billion, with funds allegedly being used for weapons development. With tensions rising in the region from North Korea and China, the United States, Japan, and South Korea are strengthening their security ties to address the growing challenges. The American ambassador’s visit to Japan highlights the global concern over nuclear disarmament and the importance of international cooperation in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
Overall, Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s visit to Nagasaki, Japan, underscored the ongoing efforts towards nuclear disarmament and the prevention of global proliferation of nuclear weapons. Her call for countries possessing atomic weapons to pursue disarmament and uphold arms control measures emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing the growing nuclear threat in the region. The historical significance of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in highlighting the necessity of nuclear disarmament was also acknowledged during the ambassador’s visit, with Governor Kengo Oishi believing it would send a strong message to the international community. Despite challenges in monitoring North Korea’s nuclear weapons program due to opposition from Russia and China, the United States, Japan, and South Korea continue to deepen their security ties to address the rising tensions in the region.
