Today, August 6, marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima, Japan. The Hiroshima City Government held a memorial ceremony to mourn the victims and pray for peace. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.
On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb codenamed “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, engulfing tens of thousands of lives in an instant with a temperature of 4,000 degrees, and reducing the entire city to ashes.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park commenced the memorial ceremony this morning at 8 am. At 8:15, the moment when 80 years ago, the US B-29 bomber “Enola Gay” dropped the world’s first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, all attendees bowed their heads in a moment of silence.
This year, representatives from 120 countries and regions, including the United States and Israel, attended, surpassing the record of 111 countries and regions in 2023, with over 55,000 attendees.
In his address, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba mentioned that 80 years ago today, an atomic bomb detonated here, claiming over 100,000 precious lives. The survivors also endured indescribable suffering.
He emphasized that the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated. As the only country that has been subjected to atomic bombings, Japan will lead the international community towards a “nuclear-free world” based on upholding the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles.”
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui issued a peace declaration, urging world leaders to recognize the historical lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He expressed concerns about the looming threat of nuclear weapons globally, warning that the ongoing trend of military buildup will have grave consequences.