Nagasaki warns of risk of nuclear war on 81st A-bomb anniversary

Nagasaki marked the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing on Sunday, urging nuclear powers and nations with nuclear deterrence to recognize the heightened risk of war involving nuclear weapons. Mayor Shiro Suzuki delivered a Peace Declaration during the ceremony, emphasizing that nuclear weapons are an "absolute evil" and cannot coexist with humanity.

Suzuki criticized nuclear deterrence as "extremely dangerous and fragile." The mayor highlighted the current geopolitical tensions, including the Middle East conflict and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as concerns over nuclear war persist. Over 12,000 nuclear warheads currently exist, Suzuki pointed out, expressing worry about the unpredictability of conflicts involving nuclear states.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated Japan's commitment to the three nonnuclear principles, vowing to promote efforts towards a world free of nuclear weapons. The Nagasaki mayor noted the failure of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference to adopt a final document, stating that modernization and enhancement of nuclear weapons only exacerbate distrust and division.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the risk of miscalculation, escalation, and conflict is increasing, calling the situation "unacceptable" and emphasizing the need for interdependent security and the rejection of nuclear weapons. The average age of officially recognized atomic bomb survivors surpasses 86, prompting efforts to pass on memories and thoughts to future generations before it's too late.