NFUCA Dispatches Co-op Delegation to the NPT Review Conference: A Report

The NPT Review Conference is currently being held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from April 27 to May 22, 2026. As part of the Co-op Delegation to this conference, the National Federation of University Co-operative Associations (NFUCA) dispatched the chairperson of its student committee. We invite you to read this grounded report written from the perspective of the younger generation.

NFUCA had a group photo from PeaceNow! 2025 displayed on a banner!
Details can be found here.
The daily reports sent to Japan from the venue by the student chairperson can be read here.

Overview of the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) Review Conference and the Co-op Delegation

United Nations Headquarters, New York
The NPT Review Conference is a UN conference held every five years to review the operational status of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to internationally discuss and agree upon nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.

Purpose of the NPT Review Conference
The goal of the conference is to review the implementation of treaty obligations and past agreements, and to build consensus among state parties on future efforts. For example, during the 2010 review conference, a 64-point action plan was adopted. It also serves the role of imposing obligations for nuclear disarmament negotiations on nuclear-weapon states and confirming the prohibition of possessing nuclear weapons for non-nuclear-weapon states.

A delegation consisting of 42 members in total—8 from the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) and 34 from 27 co-ops nationwide including the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union—conducted local activities from Saturday, April 25 to Thursday, April 30, 2026.
From NFUCA, Student Chairperson Sato participated.

The day before the opening of the NPT Review Conference. Through events with many comrades, the desire for peace spread across New York.
Scenes from the rally (there were 3 to 4 times more people out of frame to the left and right). Members of Hidankyo leading the march. We were given the opportunity to carry a banner with messages collected by Pal System!

Participating in the Peace March
Starting at 10:00 AM on April 27, the Hidankyo and Co-op delegation participated in the relay talk and peace march program.
Various other members from groups such as the Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association and the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs gathered across nationalities, aspiring for a world free of nuclear weapons and war.
While many press cameras were pointed at them, Secretary General Hamazumi of Hidankyo and President Arai of the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union delivered speeches on behalf of the delegation.
It was a moment that made us feel we wanted our sentiments to reach as many New York citizens as possible through this rally, and to spread worldwide.
The march took a route passing by Grand Central Station and the front of the UN Headquarters. While responding to cheers from people along the streets and in cars, we marched forward raising our voices: "No More Hibakusya! No More Wars! No More Nukes! No More Hiroshima! No More Nagasaki!" — From NPT Review Conference Report Vol. 5

The NPT Review Conference Opened, and Japan Delivered its Speech. An Atomic Bomb Exhibition by Hidankyo was Held in the UN Lobby.

The view from the gallery of the UN conference hall.
An audience so large that there were not enough seats in the gallery watched over the opening. The impression was that there were many overseas journalists present as well. "Nuclear weapons deliver no security —only the promise of annihilation." —UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
A large crowd, including the press, gathered for the ceremony. Exhibits on the Hibakusha Appeal international signature campaign and activities by high school and university students.

Speeches from over 150 countries began. By the end of the first day, April 27, 36 countries had spoken.
Statements regarding the execution of the NPT and the peaceful use of nuclear energy were made by various countries, mentioning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China's compliance with the treaty, declarations of continuing nuclear-weapon-free zones, NATO's claims of pursuing disarmament, calls for Iran to ratify and strengthen the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty), and demands for strengthening IAEA inspections to make peaceful nuclear use more transparent.
I felt that these speeches were a much more highly performative space than I had expected. Considering the usual global situation, there were remarks that made me think, "It doesn't seem like they actually believe that..." Rather than references to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, I felt the focus was largely on political point-scoring and mutual condemnation among nations.

In the afternoon of the first day, it was Japan's turn.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ayano Kunimitsu took the podium and read a message on behalf of Prime Minister Takaichi.
She quoted a Waka poem, "Since I know no words of comfort, I shall simply weep, remembering your face and your merits," and asserted that the death and suffering caused by the use of nuclear weapons must never happen again. She emphasized that it is necessary to rebuild trust among nations and take a step forward...