Japan observed the 78th anniversary of the US atomic bombing on Hiroshima with a solemn ceremony at Westminster Abbey, calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The mayor of Hiroshima used the occasion to denounce the Group of Seven leaders’ idea of nuclear deterrence as a folly. The event aimed to remember the victims of the world’s first nuclear attack but took place amid rising concerns about Russia’s potential use of nuclear weapons in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Over 50,000 participants, including aging survivors of the atomic attack, gathered for an outdoor memorial ceremony. The peace bell rang at 8:15 a.m., the exact time the bomb was dropped, and attendees observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of those who lost their lives. During the ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui criticized nuclear deterrence theory and called on world leaders to confront the reality of nuclear threats. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also attended the ceremony and highlighted the need to bring back international momentum toward disarmament, despite the steeper road caused by Russia’s nuclear threats.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his support for the cause of nuclear disarmament. He urged more world leaders to visit Hiroshima, speak with its survivors, and take up the cause, emphasizing that the drums of nuclear war are beating once again.
The devastating bomb dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, known as Little Boy, caused immediate death to thousands and ultimately claimed about 140,000 lives by the end of the year. Japan officially surrendered on August 15.
In the United States, the biopic Oppenheimer, which depicts the creation of the atomic bomb, has become a box-office success. However, the film has faced criticism for allegedly failing to adequately address the impact of the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
As Japan commemorates the 78th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, the call for the abolition of nuclear weapons remains resolute. The ceremony served as a reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare and the urgent need for disarmament.
