Atomic bomb survivors have told Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio they want Japan to join the UN nuclear ban treaty.

Seven representatives of survivors' groups met with Kishida in Hiroshima on Sunday after a ceremony to mark the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.

They said the Hiroshima Vision, the document on nuclear disarmament jointly released by the Group of Seven leaders in May, fails to show a clear path toward the termination of reliance on nuclear deterrence and the abolition of nuclear weapons. They said Japan should sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Kishida acknowledged the significance of the treaty, but pointed out that none of the nuclear-armed countries have joined it. He said he believes it is Japan's responsibility as the only country to have suffered wartime nuclear attacks to bridge the gap between the nuclear and non-nuclear nations.

He argued that by using the Hiroshima Vision as a solid base, Japan will help promote specific disarmament efforts such as the Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

The survivors' groups have been calling on Japan to take part as an observer in a meeting of state parties to the nuclear ban treaty in November. But Kishida didn't comment on this issue.

Mimaki Toshiyuki, the leader of one of the groups, said Kishida and the survivors have very different views on the nuclear ban.

Sakuma Kunihiko, the head of another group, said the important thing is that Japan should lead other countries in the efforts to seek the elimination of nuclear weapons, even if the nuclear powers are not willing to join the pact.