The mayor of Nagasaki has issued a powerful call for peace as the city marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb dropped by the United States during World War II. Mayor Shiro Suzuki voiced his concerns over ongoing global conflicts, emphasizing that the current trajectory could lead to nuclear war. In his Peace Declaration, Suzuki noted, "Conflicts around the world are intensifying in a vicious cycle of confrontation and fragmentation," urging leaders to cease hostilities and foster dialogue.
The bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, unleashed devastation that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 74,000 individuals. Survivors of the attack have long grappled with severe health consequences, including leukaemia caused by radiation exposure, framing the consequences of the bombing as a reminder of the horrors of nuclear warfare.
This year’s commemoration follows the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing on August 6, which claimed approximately 140,000 lives. The ceremony in Nagasaki began with a moment of silence, during which the city's twin cathedral bells tolled, symbolizing a message of peace to the world.
Participants, including survivors, engaged in a poignant ritual of offering water – a tribute to the victims who suffered immense agony from the blasts, many of whom desperately sought water in their final moments. Survivor Hiroshi Nishioka recounted the profound trauma of that day, reflecting, "Even the lucky ones [who were not severely injured] gradually began to bleed from their gums and lose their hair, and one after another they died."
The memory of the past is echoed through generations, as residents like 50-year-old Atsuko Higuchi expressed the importance of acknowledging historical events, stating, "These are real events that took place." In the backdrop of current global conflicts, including the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the call for peace resonates strongly.
Amid scrutiny over the inclusion of international figures, Mayor Suzuki confirmed that this year's commemorative ceremony invited representatives from Israel, Russia, and Belarus. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, enacted in 2021, has been ratified by more than 70 countries, yet major nuclear powers, including the U.S. and Japan, have refrained from endorsing a complete ban, citing their reliance on nuclear deterrence for national security.
As the city of Nagasaki remembers the horrors of its past, it also seeks to inspire a future free from the threats of nuclear war, urging a united effort towards peace and reconciliation.
