The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki want the Japanese government to attend an upcoming meeting about the United Nations treaty banning nuclear weapons as an observer.

Hiroshima City Mayor Matsui Kazumi and Nagasaki City Mayor Suzuki Shiro handed a request to Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on Friday in Tokyo.

The mayors of the two atomic-bombed cities urge the Japanese government to step up diplomatic efforts for realizing peace through dialogue, rather than increasingly relying on the United States for nuclear deterrence and defense.

Ishiba said that he and the mayors share the same goal of realizing a world without nuclear weapons. But he also said it is a difficult issue that needs varied discussions to address the gap between ideals and reality.

The meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is scheduled for March.

Matsui said he is sure the prime minister understood what the two mayors want to convey, but gave no direct response to the request.

Matsui added that he repeatedly asked about Japan's participation as an observer, but Ishiba only responded that he needs to consider the matter carefully.

Suzuki said he sensed the prime minister's strong desire to realize a nuclear-free world, as Ishiba stressed the need for discussions.

The Nagasaki mayor also said he hopes Ishiba "advances discussions and takes a step forward."