Nagasaki on Sunday warned nuclear powers and nations that rely on nuclear deterrence about the increasing danger of a war involving nuclear weapons, as the Japanese city marked the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing.
During a memorial ceremony at Peace Park, the mayor of Nagasaki emphasized the determination to prevent a similar tragedy from recurring and called on the international community to take action for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
Speaking before a large gathering, the mayor pointed out that the global security situation is becoming increasingly complex, with geopolitical tensions heightening the risk of nuclear weapons use. He stressed that nuclear-armed states must fully recognize their responsibility in preventing a nuclear war.
The event took place at exactly 11:02 a.m., the moment the atomic bomb nicknamed "Fat Man" exploded 81 years ago, killing about 74,000 people in the final stages of World War II. Nagasaki was the second city in the world to suffer an atomic bombing, three days after Hiroshima.
Many survivors of the bombing, known as hibakusha, attended the ceremony to honor the victims and continue their call for the world to never repeat such a tragedy. However, the number of hibakusha is dwindling due to age, raising questions about preserving historical memory in the future.
In a message to the ceremony, Japan's Prime Minister reaffirmed Tokyo's commitment to maintaining the principles of not possessing, not producing, and not allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory, while also promoting nuclear diplomacy on the international stage.
