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Emperor, Empress meet with UN disarmament official

Aug 11 (NHK) - Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have held talks with the top disarmament affairs official of the United Nations.

The Imperial couple met with UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Nakamitsu Izumi at their Akasaka residence in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Nakamitsu briefed them on the UN efforts and challenges in seeking nuclear disarmament.

She said that during her visit to the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, she was pleased to know that young people are disseminating information about the bombings to the world online.

The Emperor and Empress praised the fact that young people are inheriting memories of the tragedies. They said that although negotiations between governments are important, education is also very important for disarmament as well.

The couple presented Nakamitsu a copy of an essay written by their daughter, Princess Aiko, based on her experience when she visited the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima.

After the one-hour meeting, Nakamitsu said the Emperor and Empress told her that they believe the work on disarmament must involve great difficulties as tensions have risen among world powers.

She added that she was encouraged by their words, and the meeting has become a source of energy to continue her task.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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