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Japan denounces Indian nuclear trade

Japanese media and activists yesterday denounced a decision allowing India to engage in international nuclear trade, warning it could hinder future efforts to completely abolish nuclear weapons.

Japan is the only nation that has experienced nuclear attacks. The mayor of Hiroshima, where the US military dropped an atomic bomb for the first time on Aug. 6, 1945, deplored the move.

“It is clear that this will make the NPT [Non-Proliferation Treaty] a dead letter and will become a huge obstacle for the future efforts toward complete abolition of nuclear weapons,” Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba said in a statement.

“It is extremely regrettable that countries concerned, including our country, came to the unanimous agreement,” Jiji Press quoted him as saying.

Japanese media had lamented Tokyo’s decision to follow the US initiative despite a long-held policy by Japan to work towards non-proliferation.

Critics say the deal undermines international non-proliferation efforts and accuse the nuclear powers of pursuing commercial and political gains.

“Double-standard for nuclear superpower,” the Mainichi Shimbun said in a headline.
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