Q1. What is the difference between Pledge Movement and Anti-Nuclear Petition campaign? What is your goal? Do you want all scientists sign on the Pledge?

A1. The Pledge Movement is different from petition Movement in a sense that in the Pledge Movement, each individual promises to him/herself, while a petition campaign to express one's allegiance/opinion to a particular action. In that sense, the vidual commitment in Pledge Movement carries stronger sentiment than a petition as it encourages individual responsibility.. We would like, eventually, all scientists can sign on the Pledge, but for the time being the immediate goal is to increase the number of signee and thus we do not set any particular target (number of signee).

Q2. How binding is the Pledge? Can I change my mind in the future?

A2. A pledge is a promise to yourself. No legal commitment is attached. If you change your mind for whatever reason, you may withdraw from the Movement. You need to inform us if you decided to do so.

Q3. There are many international and domestic regulations to prevent nuclear proliferation. Why should we pledge as an individual?

A3. Yes, there are many regulations. But, in addition to legal commitment, an individual pledge to non-proliferation adds another layer of commitment. An individual pledge is a promise to oneself. Regardless of future changes in laws and organizations, participation in the Pledge Movement will strengthen our commitment to non-proliferation, beyond national and organizational borders.

Q4. Why the Pledge Movement now?

A4. This is related to the above point. Global political situations, including international laws and domestic regulations, are now changing day by day and future situation is very uncertain. For example, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has been extended indefinitely, but future of Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is still uncertain. In some regions like Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia, some countries still do not participate in NPT or in other cases, some countries are suspected to have secret nuclear weapons programs. Furthermore, the younger generation who have not and hopefully never will experience war, should be able to learn from past generations. The memory and stories of the victims of past wars, and the horror of atomic weapons should not be lost. It is critically important now, therefore, for each individual to think about nuclear issues and express his/her opinions on this important issue.

Q5. How do you measure the success/failure of this Movement? If the number of signee is small, would that increase suspicions about nuclear intention? How long do you intend to continue this Movement?

A5. Our first goal is to increase the number of signees rather than set a particular target or percentage. Our goal is not the percentage of signees out of total scientists. It is true if such (percentage) goal is established, failure of the Movement would increase international suspicions. Therefore, our primary goal is to increase awareness and responsibility of scientists/engineers with regard to nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of mass destruction. By facilitating dialogue among scientists whose views are different, we believe the Movement will enhance transparency of opinions and how they change over time. Through enhanced dialogue, there is a better chance of learning together, sharing cultures, and understanding. International expansion of this Movement is also another important goal. We plan to provide forum for frank exchange of different views on this issue, and occasionally publish reports, host workshops and symposiums.

Q6. Can social scientists or general public participate in this Pledge Movement? Will this pledge be expanded to conventional weapons, too?

A6. Of course social scientists and general public can participate in the Pledge Movement. We also hope that Movement can be expanded to include other advanced weapons. But the founders' expertise lie in nuclear technologies and thus natural first step is from nuclear weapons. Moreover, we believe nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction are unethical and unhumaritarian weapons. So let's start with those weapons first. The lay public and social scientists could play important roles in developing such weapons, but we would like to start with scientists first as the primary target of the Movement.

Q7. Is this Movement good enough to facilitate nuclear disarmament and eventual nuclear abolishment?

A7. There are still various opinions about nuclear disarmament and eventual abolishment. We hope this Movement will make you think about those issues and will facilitate dialogue on these issues. The pledge sentence is intended to serve common interests of as many persons as possible in order to maximize the number of those who sign and to enhance discussion.

Q8. Why does this Movement take no stance on civilian nuclear energy?

A8. Both pro and anti-nuclear groups and individuals have expressed their concern about the impact of this Movement on their activities. Especially, the views on plutonium use are widely divided. Our goal is to emphasize the common interests of non-proliferation, disarmament, and minimization/elimination of other weapons of mass destruction, rather than the disagreements. In that light,, we hope to bring scientists with different views into the discussion. Therefore, we decided not to take any positions on civilian nuclear energy policy.

Q9. If I do not sign on the pledge, will it mean that I am in favor of nuclear armament? Can person who oppose nuclear option but value nuclear deterrence sign on the pledge?

A9. If you do not sign the pledge, it does not mean that you are for nuclear armament. If possible we would like for those who do not sign the pledge to provide a brief reason as to why. This too is an important part of the pledge. We hope that the reasons provided will also be a point of discussion if they are in fact related to the content of the Pledge or its associated objectives.

Q10. Why should I sign the Pledge? Isn't the confidentiality against the spirit of the Pledge? Will there be confidentiality of the Pledge?

A10. We believe that there should not be any discrimination against those who have different views on this issue. Those who may choose not to sign the Pledge, may have reasons related to there work or beliefs. We respect each individuals opinion and standpoint, and hope that the promise made is to oneself. As our goal is to encourage individual responsibility and thinking about the implications of science we feel that it is not necessary to make the names of those who sign the pledge public. In regards to transparency, we will make the number of those who sign open to the public. We will also make the opinions regarding the Pledge itself and other associated issues open, including our organizations activities.

Q11. Can a non-scientist sign the pledge? What is the definition of a scientist? Is the pledge limited to nuclear non-proliferation? What if you were to expand the Pledge?

A11. A scientist, broadly defined, is an expert in a given field of natural sciences, earth sciences, social sciences, physical sciences, law, medicine, etc. . Scientist is meant to be an encompassing term.
The pledge is intended to support proliferation of all kinds of weapons as well as disarmament efforts. Additionally, educational activitivies will become an inherent part of the pledge.

Q12. What is transparency?

A12. Transparency refers to the way in which countries engage other countries in diplomacy efforts. It means to increase trust and understanding through openness of policy, and through making the actions of one country visible to another. Beyond the decided international laws, transparency, ie activities which allow other countries to vie a given country's nuclear, scientific and other such research programs mean to promote effort.