Dozens protest in Japan's Hiroshima amid G7 ministerial meeting

Dozens of people gathered here on Sunday to protest against the Abe administration's contradictory words on nuclear issues and its controversial security law.

The protesters included labor union members, college students as well as survivors and relatives of victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.

"Japan called for the elimination of nuclear weapons at G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. But a statement by the government on April 1 said that the Constitution does not ban Japan from having nuclear weapons. Japan also possessed a large quantity of nuclear materials, which is worrisome," said Kyogo Tanikuchi, one of the protesters in front of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Morita, a university student, said the government tried to forge a peace-loving image when hosting the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hiroshima.

But he believed what the government was doing, such as forcing the security bills through the parliament despite the atomic bombing survivors' protests, was against the people's will.

"The security law that came to effect on March 29 made Japan a country that could start wars. Besides, Japan recently strengthened its military alliance with the United States and South Korea. These are actions that could drag Japan into wars." said Yasuhiro Ikkanda, another protester.

G7 foreign ministers met here on Sunday as the first of a series of ministerial talks ahead of the G7 summit to be held in Mie Prefecture in May. Endit