by Mitsutake Ikeda
On April 26, a peace march was held in New York to coincide with the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) Review Conference. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1968, the NPT is an international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting nuclear disarmament. It is built upon a framework that recognizes only five states—the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China—as nuclear-weapon states.
Before the start of the March.
This year’s march covered a 1.5-kilometer route from the New York Public Library to Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza in front of the United Nations. Leading the procession were atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) from Nihon Hidankyo (The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations)—including Nobuko Sugino, Jiro Hamazumi, Atsushi Yuzuki, Noriko Hamanaka, Hideto Matsuura, and Kazumi Maeda—who marched resolutely carrying a banner that read, “No More Hiroshima, No More Nagasaki.”
Compared to the march during the 2010 conference, which I participated in, this year’s turnout was notably smaller. Speaking with participants from across the U.S., it seemed that a certain rumor circulating beforehand had taken a toll. The rumor alleged that the U.S. government would identify marchers and subject them to subsequent pressure, such as revoking their jobs or scholarships. Although highly implausible, amidst the unsettling atmosphere under the Trump administration, it appears to have been perceived by many as a realistic threat.
Furthermore, structural shifts in global nuclear disarmament likely contributed to the decline in participants. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2017, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is now widely recognized in global nuclear diplomacy and is viewed as a complementary framework that fulfills the disarmament obligations of the NPT.
Conversely, the NPT operates on a strict consensus basis, requiring the unanimous agreement of all member states, including the aforementioned five nuclear-armed states. A final outcome document based on consensus has not been adopted since 2010, and this high hurdle has left many feeling a sense of gridlock.
Most notably, this year’s conference took place amidst dramatically heightened international tensions, following initial clashes in mid-2025 and subsequent large-scale strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran in early 2026. In the face of direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran, it was undeniably difficult to expect the five major powers to reach an agreement. Ultimately, despite four weeks of intense negotiations by diplomats, the draft failed to achieve consensus. On May 22, the 11th NPT Review Conference concluded, marking its third consecutive failure to adopt a final consensus document.
Despite these severe political conditions, the grassroots appeals of civil society continued unabated. During the first week of the conference, an Atomic Bomb Exhibition was held in the first-floor exhibition area of the UN Headquarters. Jointly curated by Nihon Hidankyo and New York-based artist Eriko Pratt, this initiative has been a staple at every NPT Review Conference since 2005. Squeezing time out of their grueling schedules, the Hibakusha stood at the exhibition space to share their testimonies directly with visitors.
During this period, a precious opportunity was also arranged to provide testimony to the UN Headquarters tour guides. Taking the podium, Ms. Noriko Hamanaka shared her current thoughts while reflecting on her experience speaking to UN guides in the same manner 16 years ago. After her testimony, she was met with numerous questions, answering each one thoughtfully. Along the third-floor corridor leading to the United Nations General Assembly Hall for the general public and media, there is a permanent exhibition area dedicated to “Disarmament.” Over 50,000 people participate annually in UN tours that include this area. Being able to directly convey the reality of the atomic bombings to the guides, who daily navigate visitors from around the world, was an immensely valuable experience for our future international outreach.
Another deeply etched memory from this delegation is the meeting held on April 28 with Rinor Jani, Director of Nuclear Disarmament Advocacy and Research for the international NGO Pathways To Peace, and members of Nihon Hidankyo.
Press Conference
At this meeting, Mr. Jani shared insights into efforts surrounding peacebuilding, nuclear disarmament advocacy, and youth engagement both in Albania and internationally. He also revealed an initiative to organize a parliamentary hearing on nuclear disarmament and the TPNW before the Committee on Internal Affairs and Defense of the Albanian Parliament. In response, Nihon Hidankyo agreed to provide an advocacy letter directed to the committee’s parliamentarians to ensure the voices and experiences of the Hibakusha were reflected.
As promised, this letter was formally presented to the Chairman and members of the Committee on Internal Affairs and Defense during the hearing at the Albanian Parliament on May 13. Mr. Hamazumi had enthusiastically encouraged Mr. Jani, stating, “Having a NATO member state join the TPNW would be a massive first step toward actual nuclear disarmament.” Those hopes of the survivors were certainly delivered to Albania.
Yet, political barriers remain high and deeply entrenched. For NATO countries, which place “nuclear deterrence” at the core of their security, joining the TPNW—which comprehensively bans any reliance on nuclear weapons—would require a fundamental shift away from current doctrine.
This dilemma is equally true for Japan, which remains under the U.S. “nuclear umbrella” (extended deterrence). Despite being the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings in war, the Japanese government continues to forgo even observer state participation in TPNW meetings of states parties. The stark reality is that a large disconnection still exists between the “nuclear abolition” sought by nuclear survivors and civil society and the “realistic defense policies” touted by the government.
At a time when political consensus-building has stalled, and the wall of nuclear deterrence looms large, this delegation served as a stark reminder of how vitally important it is to continue conveying the reality of the atomic bombings at the United Nations—the center of the world—and to maintain our connections with people like Mr. Jani who are taking action globally.
In one corner of this year’s Atomic Bomb Exhibition, a photograph was displayed showing the “One-Million-Person Peace March” held in conjunction with the UN Special Session on Disarmament in 1982. The surging passion of the crowds back then continues to convey the immeasurable power of civil society solidarity today. I hope that one day, I will find myself amidst the swell of such a massive disarmament peace march, witnessing the moment the world takes a giant leap toward the abolition of nuclear weapons. Even amid harsh realities, these days in New York allowed me to hold fast to a certain, unwavering hope.
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About the Author:
Mitsutake Ikeda completed a bachelor’s degree in International and Area Studies at the University of California, Berkeley in 2007, and a Master of Arts in Translation Studies at the University of Coimbra in 2017. He is a collaborator member of Unidade de Investigação & Desenvolvimento “Instituto de Estudos Filosóficos” (IEF) and a PhD student in Philosophy at the University of Coimbra.
Photos credited to Hou Sheng Tai.
