Hiroshima Marks 80th Anniversary with Urgent Warnings on Nuclear Threat
Hiroshima Marks 80th Anniversary with Urgent Warnings on Nuclear Threat
HIROSHIMA, Japan – On August 6, 2025, Hiroshima commemorated the 80th anniversary of the devastating U.S. atomic bombing, with aging survivors issuing dire warnings about the escalating global support for nuclear weapons as a deterrent.
As the number of “hibakusha” (atomic bomb survivors) rapidly dwindles, with their average age now exceeding 86, this anniversary is seen as a crucial moment for their testimonies. “There will be nobody left to pass on this sad and painful experience in 10 or 20 years,” stated 94-year-old survivor Minoru Suzuto, emphasizing the urgency of sharing their stories.
The 1945 bombing destroyed Hiroshima, killing 140,000 people, followed by another bomb on Nagasaki three days later that claimed 70,000 lives, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui strongly criticized the growing acceptance of military buildups and the use of nuclear weapons for national security, particularly in light of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. He asserted that these trends “flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history,” urging younger generations to recognize the “utterly inhumane” consequences of such policies.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization of survivors, Nihon Hidankyo, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We don’t have much time left, while we face a greater nuclear threat than ever.”
The ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park saw approximately 55,000 attendees, including representatives from a record 120 countries. A minute of silence was observed at 8:15 a.m., the exact moment the bomb struck. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Mayor Matsui, and other dignitaries laid flowers, and white doves were released as symbols of peace.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a statement read at the event, underscored the importance of carrying forward the survivors’ testimonies and messages of peace, noting that “Remembering the past is about protecting and building peace today and in the future.”
Despite the solemn commemoration, protests erupted near the Atomic Bomb Dome, with over 200 demonstrators chanting “No Nuke, Stop War” and “Free Gaza!” Two arrests were reported for assaulting security guards.
Survivors expressed deep disappointment with the increasing international acceptance of nuclear deterrence, including Japan’s own stance under the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Mayor Matsui urged Japan to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, a call echoed by survivor groups. However, PM Ishiba reiterated Japan’s reliance on U.S. nuclear deterrence, citing its nuclear-armed neighbors, a position survivors view as a “hollow promise” given Japan’s unique history as the only country to suffer atomic attacks.
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