World conference against A and H bombs

A world conference against atomic and hydrogen bombs was held in Tokyo on August 3 and 4, 1981, and concluded with a large rally in Nagasaki on August 8 and 9. The conference has been held every year around the days of the atomic bombings of the two cities. A factor contributing to the success of the world conference against atomic and hydrogen bombs in this year - instead of the rather low tone of the conferences in a few past years - is the coming of the second special session of the UN General Assembly devoted to disarmament (SSD-2), scheduled for May, 1982. On the problem of choice between disarmament or self-destruction, speeches were given, and panel discussions were held. On the other hand, the delicate problem on the relationship between atomic energy development and nuclear proliferation was argued variously. (J.P.N.)