Japan's current peace and development are built on the path we have consistently taken as a peace-loving nation since the end of the Second World War, with a deep remorse for the war, and the efforts of our predecessors who overcame many difficulties and challenges. We must also not forget that in order to build Japan's current position in the international community, many countries and peoples have extended their willingness for reconciliation. It is our eternal responsibility to continue making efforts to build future-oriented, friendly relations based on pacifism in order to achieve peaceful coexistence with countries around the world, particularly those in Asia.

The world is currently facing unprecedented changes and challenges. Many issues are destabilizing the world, including rapid shifts in global balances, wars in Ukraine and Gaza that threaten the international order based on the rule of law, attempts to change the status quo by force, inequality and poverty between and within nations, and climate change. In this context, we must sound the alarm against excessive protectionism and trends toward nationalism, which ultimately threaten peace. We, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, believe that the path to true peace and prosperity lies in learning from the lessons of history, never exacerbate division, but instead promote mutual understanding, recognizing diversity, and resolving various issues through international cooperation and dialogue.

Furthermore, during the last war, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima on August 6th and Nagasaki on August 9th, the first such attacks in human history. The movement to pass on witness testimony of the true nature of the atomic bombings and call for the abolition of nuclear weapons has been highly valued by the international community, and in December of last year NIHON HIDANKYO (the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. However, today, the threat of nuclear weapons is far from diminishing, the nuclear non-proliferation regime has reached a deadlock and new nuclear development is accelerating.

There have also been statements that attempt to justify the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by comparing it to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Such actions and statements are completely unacceptable. Furthermore, during the recent House of Councillors election, there were even calls for nuclear armament. As the only country to have ever suffered from nuclear weapons in war, we must firmly uphold our three non-nuclear principles and clearly oppose such claims. Furthermore, we must not let the experience of pain and suffering caused by the atomic bombings be forgotten and continue to share it with the world, so that nuclear weapons will never again be used against humanity.

Amidst the hardships of the post-war period, Japan has walked the path of a peaceful nation and has consistently pursued peace-loving diplomacy. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan takes pride in the fact that Japan has not engaged in war in the 80 years since the end of the war, and will never forget the tragedies and mistakes of the past and, by learning from them, we will engage with the world with sincerity. Today, 80 years after the end of the war, we renew our strong resolve for peace and our pledge never to wage war again, deepen cooperation and understanding both at home and abroad, and once again pledge to continue to make every effort to ensure that Japan will never again inflict the sufferings of war and that war will be eliminated from the world, in order to build a peaceful and better world for future generations.