Hiroshima commemorates 80 years as US-Russia nuclear tensions increase
(MENAFN) Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Wednesday with a ceremony highlighting the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare, as tensions between the United States and Russia keep the “Doomsday Clock” dangerously close to midnight.
A moment of silence was observed at 8:15 am local time, the exact moment when the US dropped the atomic bomb “Little Boy” on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Hundreds of officials, students, and survivors dressed in black laid flowers at the memorial cenotaph, with the remains of a domed building serving as a haunting reminder of the destruction.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned in a speech about the global trend toward military buildup, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and instability in the Middle East. He stressed that these developments ignore historical lessons and threaten the frameworks of global peace.
The Hiroshima bombing killed approximately 140,000 people through the immediate blast and subsequent radiation effects. Three days later, a second bomb in Nagasaki claimed 74,000 lives, prompting Japan’s surrender and ending World War II. Today, Hiroshima is a bustling city of 1.2 million residents, yet the legacy of the attacks remains vivid.
Families of victims arrived before dawn to pay respects. Ninety-six-year-old Yoshie Yokoyama, who lost multiple family members to the bombings, shared how her parents, grandparents, and in-laws suffered and died as a result of radiation exposure.
The commemorative ceremony included representatives from around 120 countries, with Taiwan and Palestine participating for the first time. Nihon Hidankyo, the organization representing the remaining hibakusha survivors, emphasized educating foreign envoys about the horrors experienced. As of March, there were 99,130 hibakusha, with an average age of 86.
Pope Leo XIV highlighted that Hiroshima and Nagasaki continue to serve as stark reminders of the catastrophic impact of nuclear weapons amid rising global tensions.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
