Nagasaki Marks 79th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing with Plea to Abandon Nuclear Arms

On the 79th anniversary of the U.S. atomic

On the 79th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki, the city's mayor delivered a stark warning, declaring that the continued existence of nuclear weapons poses an unacceptable threat to human survival. Addressing a solemn gathering, the mayor emphasized that the very notion of coexistence between humanity and such weapons of mass destruction is a dangerous illusion.

The mayor's remarks came during the annual peace memorial ceremony, held in the shadow of the city's iconic Peace Park. He called on world leaders to reject the logic of deterrence and to take immediate, concrete steps toward a nuclear-free world, arguing that the lessons of 1945 are being forgotten as geopolitical tensions rise.

Highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any nuclear detonation, the mayor urged nations to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which Japan has so far declined to sign. He expressed deep concern over recent rhetoric suggesting that nuclear weapons are necessary for security, calling such views a betrayal of the hibakusha, the surviving victims of the bombings.

The ceremony, attended by survivors, government official…

The ceremony, attended by survivors, government officials, and foreign dignitaries, included a moment of silence at 11:02 a.m., the exact time the bomb fell in 1945. The mayor's speech also touched on the ongoing war in Ukraine, warning that the threat of nuclear escalation is no longer a distant fear but a present-day reality that demands global vigilance.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was present at the event, reiterated Japan's commitment to nuclear disarmament, but stopped short of endorsing the treaty backed by many NGOs. The mayor's impassioned plea underscores a growing divide between the government's cautious diplomacy and the urgent calls from survivors and activists for outright abolition.

As the aging population of hibakusha dwindles, the mayor stressed the importance of passing their testimonies to younger generations. He concluded with a powerful appeal to the world's conscience, insisting that the only way to honor the victims is to ensure that no city ever experiences such devastation again.