Hiroshima observed the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing on Wednesday. Aging survivors expressed concern over the increasing global support for nuclear weapons as a deterrent. The dwindling number of survivors, with an average age over 86, view this anniversary as a significant milestone, realizing that few will remain to pass on their experiences in the future.
The devastating bombing on August 6, 1945, resulted in the destruction of Hiroshima and claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Three days later, Nagasaki suffered a similar fate with 70,000 casualties. Japan’s surrender on August 15 marked the end of World War II and its aggressive actions in Asia.
Despite survivors’ appeals for acknowledgment and compensation for civilian victims, the Japanese government has only provided compensation to war veterans and their families. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui cautioned against the increasing acceptance of military buildups and the use of nuclear weapons for national security, particularly in light of current global conflicts.
Approximately 55,000 individuals, including representatives from 120 countries, attended the ceremony, where a moment of silence was observed at 8:15 a.m., the time the bomb was dropped. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, alongside other officials, laid flowers at the cenotaph, and white doves symbolizing peace were released.
Leading up to the official ceremony, survivors and their families paid tribute at the Peace Memorial Park. Kazuo Miyoshi, a 74-year-old retiree, honored his deceased relatives and emphasized the need to avoid repeating the tragic mistake of nuclear warfare.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres highlighted the importance of preserving survivors’ messages of peace. He noted the commitment to a nuclear-free world in the international agreement “Pact for the Future.” Pope Leo XIV also expressed prayers for those affected by the Hiroshima bombing, emphasizing the universal lessons against the devastation caused by wars and nuclear weapons.
While survivors and advocacy groups urge Japan to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the government’s stance remains under the U.S. nuclear umbrella for protection. Mayor Matsui urged Japan’s government to ratify the treaty, a sentiment echoed by survivor groups in discussions with Prime Minister Ishiba.
Ishiba reaffirmed the government’s dedication to a nuclear-free world but maintained support for nuclear deterrence due to regional circumstances. Despite Japan’s historical stance on peace, survivors view the government’s position with skepticism, calling for concrete actions towards disarmament.