Hiroshima marks 81 years since atomic bombing as mayor deplores pursuit of nuclear weapons

On Thursday, Hiroshima commemorated the 81-year anniversary of the atomic bombing with a solemn peace ceremony. The city fell silent at 8:15 a.m., precisely the moment the US dropped the bomb in 1945. The blast obliterated the city, causing an estimated 140,000 deaths by year's end, many of whom succumbed to radiation-related illnesses. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui attended the ceremony, alongside representatives from 121 countries and regions.

Matsui unveiled an updated list of bomb victims, now totaling 353,639 names, including 4,393 who died within the past year. He called for the global abolition of nuclear weapons, emphasizing the catastrophic consequences such weapons would inflict on humanity. "Policymakers of the world, civil society demands the immediate abolition of nuclear weapons," Matsui stated, urging leaders of nuclear-weapon states to take responsibility for disarmament.

Takaichi echoed similar sentiments, reaffirming Japan's commitment to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and its role as the "only nation to suffer atomic bombings during war." She expressed the nation's determination to work towards a "world free of nuclear weapons."

Despite the dwindling number of survivors, many survivors' families attended the ceremony, determined to honor their loved ones' stories and advocate for peace. The average age of atomic bomb survivors is now over 86 years old, with around 91,000 survivors alive as of March. Young people were encouraged to listen to survivors' stories to ensure their experiences are passed on to future generations.