Hiroshima, Japan, marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, with a solemn ceremony calling for global nuclear disarmament.
The annual event at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park drew thousands, including survivors, officials, and representatives from a record 120 countries.
The city, devastated by the U.S. uranium bomb “Little Boy,” saw approximately 78,000 lives lost instantly, with tens of thousands more succumbing to burns and radiation by year’s end.
At 8:15 a.m., the exact moment of the 1945 detonation, attendees observed a moment of silence, followed by Hiroshima’s mayor, Kazumi Matsui, delivering a peace declaration.
He criticized the growing global belief that nuclear weapons are essential for national security, noting that the U.S. and Russia hold 90% of the world’s nuclear warheads.
“This situation not only nullifies the lessons the international community has learned from the tragic history of the past, but also seriously undermines the frameworks that have been built for peace-building,” Matsui said.
Schoolchildren participated in the “Promise of Peace,” reading statements of hope, while a message from the UN Secretary-General’s representative emphasized global peace.
The ceremony highlighted the dwindling number of hibakusha, survivors who faced discrimination due to unfounded fears of disease and genetic effects, now numbering fewer than 100,000.
Yoshikazu Horie, a 71-year-old attendee, voiced fears of history repeating itself, citing conflicts in Europe and Asia, and expressed hope for a peaceful future for his grandchildren.
Hiroshima’s surrounding mountains, chosen by U.S. planners to amplify the bomb’s impact, framed the site where delegates gathered to honor the past and advocate for a nuclear-free world.
Japan, the only nation to endure nuclear attacks, remains committed to disarmament but has not joined the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons.
The ceremony, consistent with past years, included offerings of flowers and water to symbolize aid for the victims, reinforcing Hiroshima’s enduring message of peace.
Mayor Matsui urged global leaders to visit Hiroshima to witness the bombing’s reality and reconsider their reliance on nuclear arsenals.
The event underscored the city’s role as a symbol of resilience and a reminder of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare.
As international tensions rise, Hiroshima’s plea for disarmament resonates as a call to prioritize peace and prevent future tragedies.