Eighty years after the atomic bombing, Nagasaki holds its Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial Ceremony at Peace Park on August 9. (pool photo)
このページを 日本語 で読む
The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims Memorial Peace Prayer Ceremony was held on August 9, marking the 80th anniversary of the United States' bombing of the city. It took place at Peace Park in Matsuyama Ward, Nagasaki City, the site of the bomb's hypocenter.
Mayor Shiro Suzuki delivered a statement expressing concern over the growing risk of nuclear war. He urged world leaders to set out concrete steps toward abolition.
Quoting the late Senji Yamaguchi, former chairman of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), which was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, the mayor called on civil society to build trust and solidarity through dialogue and exchange.
Keeping the Story Alive
At the time of the bombing, Nagasaki's population was about 240,000. By the end of December 1945, 73,884 people had died from the bombing, and another 74,909 were injured. The intense heat, blast waves, and radiation caused severe illnesses known as radiation sickness, which have tormented many survivors.
In 2025, for the first time, the number of atomic bomb survivors nationwide fell below 100,000. The average age of survivors is now 86.13 years. Under these circumstances, questions are emerging over how best to preserve their memories and broaden relief efforts.
Global Solidarity
In 2024, the city excluded Israel from the ceremony, an action it said was in protest of military actions against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. As a consequence, foreign ambassadors from all G7 nations except Japan were absent.
All countries and regions with diplomatic missions in Japan were invited this year (2025). Russia received its first invitation in four years, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
As of August 6, 95 countries and regions, along with the European Union (EU), were expected to attend. In 2024, a record 100 countries and regions participated.
RELATED:
- Hiroshima Youth Lead Peace Call 80 Years After Atomic Bombing
- 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo for 'Outstanding and Vital Work' in Raising Awareness on Nuclear Weapons
- Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Museum Sees Record Visitors for Two Years in a Row
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
このページを 日本語 で読む
