In a poignant ceremony held on Wednesday, Hiroshima marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city during World War II. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba joined international representatives in a moment of silence to remember the over 200,000 lives lost due to the bomb’s immediate effects and ensuing radiation sickness.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui emphasized Japan's unique position as the only nation to have experienced an atomic attack, stating that the nation continually strives for lasting peace. Survivors, like Shingo Naito, shared their painful experiences, reminding the younger generation of the horrors endured. Naito has been engaging students in turning his story into art, aiming to preserve the memory and legacy of the tragedy.
Mayor Matsui also raised urgent concerns about increasing military buildups globally and the deteriorating state of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He called for Japan's ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which bans nuclear weapons altogether. Notably, over 70 countries have signed this treaty, but nuclear powers like the US and Russia resist it, citing national defense strategies.
The atmosphere in Hiroshima was charged as protestors advocated for nuclear disarmament, fueled by memories of past violence that echo in current conflicts like those in Gaza and Ukraine. Survivors urged global leaders to act against the existential threat posed by nuclear arms, echoing a collective plea for peace and humanity’s future.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui emphasized Japan's unique position as the only nation to have experienced an atomic attack, stating that the nation continually strives for lasting peace. Survivors, like Shingo Naito, shared their painful experiences, reminding the younger generation of the horrors endured. Naito has been engaging students in turning his story into art, aiming to preserve the memory and legacy of the tragedy.
Mayor Matsui also raised urgent concerns about increasing military buildups globally and the deteriorating state of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He called for Japan's ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which bans nuclear weapons altogether. Notably, over 70 countries have signed this treaty, but nuclear powers like the US and Russia resist it, citing national defense strategies.
The atmosphere in Hiroshima was charged as protestors advocated for nuclear disarmament, fueled by memories of past violence that echo in current conflicts like those in Gaza and Ukraine. Survivors urged global leaders to act against the existential threat posed by nuclear arms, echoing a collective plea for peace and humanity’s future.
