Hiroshima Marks 80 Years: Survivors Issue Urgent Warning Against Nuclear Weapons

Hiroshima solemnly marked the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing on August 6, 2025, with surviving ‘hibakusha’ delivering a powerful, urgent message against nuclear weapons. The commemoration at Hiroshima’s Peace Park served as a poignant reminder of the devastation and a renewed call for a world free of nuclear arms.

Among those attending was 96-year-old Junji Sarashina, who was 16 and working in an anti-aircraft munitions factory when the bomb struck on August 6, 1945. Sarashina recounted the apocalyptic aftermath, witnessing thousands of wounded, burned, and disoriented individuals. His harrowing experience, along with that of fellow survivor Toshiyuki Mimaki, 83, underscores the enduring trauma and the critical importance of their activism.

Mimaki, who was three years old during the blast, has dedicated his life to campaigning against nuclear weapons. His organization, Nihon Hidank-yo (survivors of the atomic bombings), received the Nobel Peace Prize last year, yet Mimaki fears the message is more vital than ever, given the estimated 12,000 nuclear weapons globally. “I want people all over the world to know that nuclear weapons and humanity cannot co-exist,” Mimaki stated.

Japan’s prime minister, in his address, reiterated the nation’s unique mission to achieve a nuclear-free world, stemming from its experience as the only country to suffer nuclear devastation in war. With fewer than 100,000 elderly hibakusha remaining, there is a deep concern that their stories will fade. However, younger generations, like 15-year-old student Minami Sato, are stepping up, vowing to ensure these critical testimonies are never forgotten.

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