Hiroshima Commemorates 80 Years Since Historic Atomic Bombing

Hiroshima held a memorial service on August 6, 2023, marking the 80th anniversary of the United States’ atomic bombing of the city. The event honored victims and surviving witnesses of this tragic moment in history, while also renewing commitments to pursue a world free of nuclear weapons. As the average age of survivors surpasses 86, this milestone is particularly significant, with many expressing their concerns about the current global climate surrounding nuclear armament.

During the ceremony, attendees included numerous aged survivors who articulated their frustration regarding the increasing acceptance of nuclear weapons as tools of national security. Minoru Suzuto, a 94-year-old survivor, poignantly shared, “There will be nobody left to pass on this sad and painful experience in 10 years or 20 years. That’s why I want to share (my story) as much as I can.”

In a speech at the event, Kazumi Matsui, the Mayor of Hiroshima, cautioned against the rising militarization and support for nuclear arsenals, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Matsui stated that these developments “flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history.” He urged younger generations to recognize that current policies could lead to “utterly inhumane” consequences for their future.

Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese grassroots organization of atomic bomb survivors and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, emphasized the urgency of their mission. “We don’t have much time left, while we face a greater nuclear threat than ever,” the organization said in a statement. They expressed the need to influence nuclear-armed states that have historically been dismissive of disarmament efforts.

The memorial attracted over 50,000 attendees, including representatives from a record 120 countries and regions, with notable participation from Russia and Belarus. At 08:15 local time, a moment of silence was observed as a peace bell rang, marking the exact time the bomb, named “Little Boy”, was dropped on the city in 1945.

After the mayor’s address, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated the government’s commitment to work towards global nuclear disarmament. He stated, “As the only country capable of conveying the horrors of the atomic bomb to the world, we will pass down the memory of this tragic experience and lead international efforts to prevent such a calamity from happening again.”

The bombing of Hiroshima resulted in the deaths of approximately 140,000 people, and just days later, a second atomic bomb, known as “Fat Man”, was dropped on Nagasaki, resulting in an additional 70,000 fatalities. These two instances represent the only times nuclear weapons have been utilized in military conflict. Japan’s subsequent surrender on August 15, 1945, marked the end of World War II, concluding Japan’s nearly half-century of military aggression in Asia.

As Hiroshima commemorates this somber anniversary, the call for peace and nuclear disarmament resonates more than ever, urging the global community to remember the past while striving for a safer future.