In a solemn ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Mayor Shiro Suzuki urged for a cessation of ongoing global conflicts, warning that current confrontations could lead to nuclear war. "Conflicts around the world are intensifying in a vicious cycle of confrontation and fragmentation," he stated in a Peace Declaration, reflecting on the catastrophic event of August 9, 1945, which claimed approximately 74,000 lives.
The commemoration followed the recent observance of the Hiroshima bombing, which killed around 140,000 people. Survivors of Nagasaki, many suffering the long-term effects of radiation exposure, also attended the event, which featured solemn traditions including a moment of silence and water offerings.
Highlighting the horrors witnessed during the bombing, 93-year-old survivor Hiroshi Nishioka recalled the painful aftermath: individuals suffering severe side effects, battling invisible terror even after the war had concluded. "Even the lucky ones gradually began to bleed from their gums and lose their hair," he recounted, underscoring the ongoing psychological wounds.
Atsuko Higuchi, a Nagasaki resident, also expressed the importance of remembering history, saying it was vital to recognize these events as real, affecting many generations. The commemoration occurred against a backdrop of current conflicts, particularly the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Nagasaki had previously refrained from inviting Israel to the ceremony due to security concerns, but this year extended an invitation to both Israel and Russia. As tensions rise globally, the mayor's call for peace resonates deeply: "Now, 80 years since that day, who could have possibly imagined that our world would become like this?"
The event serves as a reminder of the significance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, enacted in 2021, although opposed by nuclear powers citing deterrence as necessary for security. The calls for reflection and resolution to prevent a future nuclear catastrophe echo louder as the world grapples with ongoing violent disputes.
The commemoration followed the recent observance of the Hiroshima bombing, which killed around 140,000 people. Survivors of Nagasaki, many suffering the long-term effects of radiation exposure, also attended the event, which featured solemn traditions including a moment of silence and water offerings.
Highlighting the horrors witnessed during the bombing, 93-year-old survivor Hiroshi Nishioka recalled the painful aftermath: individuals suffering severe side effects, battling invisible terror even after the war had concluded. "Even the lucky ones gradually began to bleed from their gums and lose their hair," he recounted, underscoring the ongoing psychological wounds.
Atsuko Higuchi, a Nagasaki resident, also expressed the importance of remembering history, saying it was vital to recognize these events as real, affecting many generations. The commemoration occurred against a backdrop of current conflicts, particularly the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Nagasaki had previously refrained from inviting Israel to the ceremony due to security concerns, but this year extended an invitation to both Israel and Russia. As tensions rise globally, the mayor's call for peace resonates deeply: "Now, 80 years since that day, who could have possibly imagined that our world would become like this?"
The event serves as a reminder of the significance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, enacted in 2021, although opposed by nuclear powers citing deterrence as necessary for security. The calls for reflection and resolution to prevent a future nuclear catastrophe echo louder as the world grapples with ongoing violent disputes.
