Marking the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing, Hiroshima city in Japan once again urged the global community to recognize the dangers posed by nuclear weapons. Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned that the trend of viewing nuclear arms as a security measure could lead the world toward destruction. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed Japan’s commitment to adopting a pragmatic approach aimed at creating a world where nuclear weapons are never used.
On August 7, in Tokyo, approximately 50,000 people attended the ceremony held in Hiroshima. Representatives from nearly 120 countries and regions, including the United States and Iran, were also present. At 8:15 a.m., the exact time in 1945 when the US B-29 bomber dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, a moment of silence was observed followed by a bell rung as a symbol of peace.
In a peace declaration presented at the event, Mayor Matsui noted that some political leaders worldwide still regard nuclear weapons as a realistic security concept. He emphasized that this mindset legitimizes violence and moves the goal of a nuclear-free world further out of reach. He called on the global community to learn from painful historical experiences and to play an active role in establishing peace.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, attending the commemorative event for the first time since taking office, reaffirmed Japan’s practical stance within the framework of the United Nations Non-Proliferation Treaty. She stressed Japan’s dedication to building a world where nuclear weapons are never used. Takaichi also highlighted Japan’s post-war commitment to the three non-nuclear principles but noted that there is ongoing domestic discussion regarding the future shape of these policies.
