WASHINGTON – Jill Hruby, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security for the Department of Energy and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, made the following remarks after she visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Memorial Centopath on Aug. 9:

This is a solemn week for the people of Japan, the United States, and around the world. It is important that we remember those who lost their lives in the deadliest conflict in human history and work to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.

As the Administrator of the United States National Nuclear Security Administration, I frequently reflect on the duality of my responsibilities. As long as nuclear weapons exist, the National Nuclear Security Administration will be a responsible steward of the U.S. nuclear deterrent without nuclear explosive testing for the protection of the American people and our allies. At the same time, we will continue to actively engage in nonproliferation efforts to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons and promote the safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We invest in both efforts in the hope that nuclear weapons will never be used again and that a world without nuclear weapons will one day exist.

Being here at Hiroshima is a reminder of the seriousness of our mission. For decades, the American and Japanese peoples have stood side by side in promoting freedom, security, and peace around the world, particularly on nuclear issues. As President Obama said during his visit to Hiroshima, the friendship forged between the United States and Japan, “has won far more for our people than we could ever claim through war.”

I witnessed this fact several days ago at the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York, as the American and Japanese delegations worked with others to advance the Treaty’s goals. I would like to thank Prime Minister Kishida for his attendance and for Japan’s continued leadership on these issues. As the Prime Minister noted during the Review Conference, “Maintaining and strengthening the NPT regime is in the interest of the entire international community … Japan is determined to firmly uphold the NPT as its guardian.”

The problems facing the world today are daunting, but our best hope is to find solutions to them together. Our alliance with Japan is stronger than ever as we face some of the greatest challenges of our generation. I look forward to our continued close partnership with the Japanese people to advance science, technology, defense, peace, and prosperity.