The YWCA of Japan lobbied the Japanese Government to take vigorous action at the recent 63rd United Nations General Assembly which saw 141 states support a second uranium weapons resolution that requests its agencies to update their positions on the health and environmental effects of uranium weapons.

Although an overwhelming majority of states support action on uranium weapons, of the permanent five Security Council members, the US, UK and France voted against the resolution. They were joined by Israel while Russia abstained and China refused to vote.

The YWCA of Japan brought forward a recommendation at the World YWCA Council in July 2007 for the abolition of DU weapons. They informed the movement of the DU damages to genes and the ill effects on foetuses, babies and children. They also raised their dismay at the lack of understanding of DU and reproductive health rights as the number of miscarriages, still births and congenital disorders among women exposed to radiation is much larger than among those who are not exposed.

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