Hiroshima officials have urged world leaders to move away from relying on nuclear weapons as deterrence and to work towards their abolishment in light of ongoing conflicts and rising tensions globally. This call to action comes as Hiroshima commemorates the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city at the end of World War II.
The memorial event follows recent reaffirmations of the U.S.'s commitment to 'extended deterrence,' which includes the use of atomic weapons to protect its allies, including Japan. Hiroshima Governor emphasized that nuclear-armed nations must acknowledge the inherent risks associated with these weapons, as history has shown that once invented, they have been used without exception.
The Governor stressed that nuclear weapons abolition is not a distant ideal but an urgent and pressing matter that requires immediate attention to safeguard human survival. The Mayor of Hiroshima highlighted that current global conflicts, such as Russia's actions in Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, are fueling distrust among nations and reinforcing the belief that resorting to force is inevitable.
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 people and marked the end of World War II. The annual memorial ceremony in Hiroshima saw around 50,000 attendees observe a minute of silence at the exact time the bomb was dropped, accompanied by the release of white doves symbolizing peace.
Prime Minister acknowledged the challenges posed by global conflicts and differing views on nuclear disarmament but pledged to pursue practical measures to advance this goal within the international community. However, critics argue that Japan's reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella and its military expansion undermine the sincerity of such commitments.
The survivors of the atomic bombings, known as 'hibakusha,' continue to advocate for nuclear disarmament and seek greater support from the government, especially as many still suffer from health issues related to the bombings. The aging hibakusha are determined to pass on their message to younger generations and keep their campaign for a nuclear arms ban alive.
