During a working visit to Japan, Senate Member Bibigul Zheksenbay met with the leadership of the Japanese Confederation of Atomic Bomb Victims' Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The meeting was attended by the organization's Secretary-General, Jiro Hamasumi, and Deputy Secretaries-General, Toshiko Hamanaka, Masako Wada, and Michiko Kodama.
The senator conveyed congratulations to the Japanese side on behalf of Senate Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev, noting the special significance of the organization's work in promoting a world without nuclear weapons.
Bibigul Zheksenbay emphasized that this topic is of particular importance for Kazakhstan given the consequences of the tests at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site. This year marks the 35th anniversary of its closure.
"Both during personal meetings with citizens and during my visits to the regions, I regularly receive inquiries regarding the consequences of the Semipalatinsk test site. During meetings with the public, issues such as social protection for affected citizens, their medical support, monitoring the health of future generations, and improving the social status of military personnel who participated in the test site closure operations are invariably raised," the senator said.
The meeting also featured the international "Children Draw Peace" campaign, launched in Kazakhstan in honor of the 35th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk test site. The initiative aims to promote a culture of peace and the idea of nuclear disarmament through children's creativity.
In turn, Jiro Hamasumi expressed support for Kazakhstan's initiatives and noted the importance of preserving the historical memory of the consequences of nuclear weapons use.
Following the meeting, the parties emphasized the need to further develop cooperation between Kazakhstan and Japan in the areas of nuclear safety, scientific exchange, public initiatives, and youth projects.
(Press Office of the Senate, 74-72-27)
