Thousands of people gathered in Hiroshima on Thursday to mark the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the Japanese city during World War II. During the annual peace ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged world leaders to reject the growing reliance on nuclear weapons and work towards lasting global peace.
The ceremony took place at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where survivors, government officials and international representatives paid tribute to those who lost their lives in one of history’s deadliest wartime attacks.
Mayor Warns Against Growing Dependence on Nuclear Deterrence
In his Peace Declaration, Mayor Kazumi Matsui criticised countries that continue to justify the possession of nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence.
He warned that accepting military force as a solution to international conflicts could trigger new cycles of violence, increasing the risk of another tragedy similar to Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Matsui also urged people around the world to remember the lessons of history and actively support efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Thousands Attend Memorial Ceremony
Around 50,000 people, including representatives from nearly 120 countries and regions, attended this year’s memorial event.
At 8:15 a.m., the exact time when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, participants observed a minute of silence as the Peace Bell rang across the memorial park.
The ceremony honoured the victims while renewing calls for peace and nuclear disarmament.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Calls for a Practical Approach
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the Hiroshima memorial for the first time since taking office.
Addressing the gathering, she said Japan would continue pursuing a world where nuclear weapons are never used. However, she added that the country would follow what she described as a “realistic approach” within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Her remarks come amid ongoing debate over Japan’s future defence policy and the role of nuclear deterrence in regional security.
Debate Continues Over Japan’s Nuclear Policy
The anniversary comes at a time when discussions over Japan’s security strategy have intensified.
Reports suggest the government may review aspects of the country’s long-standing Three Non-Nuclear Principles, particularly the policy related to allowing nuclear weapons into Japan.
Although Takaichi reaffirmed that Japan currently follows the three principles, she did not explicitly commit to maintaining them unchanged in future policy decisions.
Survivors Express Concern
Many survivors of the Hiroshima bombing have voiced concern over the increasing acceptance of nuclear deterrence around the world.
They have repeatedly urged the Japanese government to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, but Tokyo has declined, citing its security alliance with the United States and the protection provided by the US nuclear umbrella.
Survivors fear that growing global tensions are weakening international efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Hiroshima’s Legacy Continues to Shape the World
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killed an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, claiming around 70,000 lives.
Japan announced its surrender on August 15, 1945, bringing World War II to an end.
Today, the number of surviving atomic bomb victims has fallen to 91,105, with an average age of more than 86 years. As their numbers continue to decline, many fear that first-hand memories of the tragedy could gradually disappear, making efforts to preserve their stories more important than ever.