Nagasaki Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing with Urgent Calls for Nuclear Disarmament
As Japan observes the 80th anniversary of the devastating atomic bomb attack on Nagasaki, Mayor Shiro Suzuki has issued a stark warning: the threat of such a catastrophe could happen again if global tensions continue to rise. About 2,600 people, including representatives from 90 nations, gathered at Nagasaki Peace Park for the memorial on Saturday. At 11:02 a.m., the exact moment the bomb was dropped, attendees observed a moment of silence to remember the victims.
During the event, Mayor Suzuki, whose parents survived the bombing in 1945, urged the international community to take immediate action against nuclear weapons. “We are caught in a cycle of conflict that threatens to escalate,” he stated, highlighting the urgent need for nuclear disarmament. “If we do not change the path we are on, we risk nuclear war, which is a crisis that affects all of humanity,” he added.
This year’s commemoration included the 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace, an organization focused on abolishing nuclear arms. Suzuki emphasized that Nagasaki should be the last city to experience the horrors of an atomic bombing. He spoke passionately about the upcoming 2026 Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), describing it as a pivotal moment for humanity’s future.
The treaty, first opened for signature in 1968, is reviewed every five years. The discussions in 2026 could reshape global approaches to nuclear weapons, following over two decades since the atomic bombings during World War II.
The bombs, known as “Little Boy” and “Fat Man,” were dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, respectively. Their destructive power led to Japan’s surrender on August 15, effectively ending the war.
In closing his remarks, Mayor Suzuki offered his condolences to all the victims of wars and reiterated Nagasaki’s commitment to ensuring that the memories of those lost will be shared worldwide. He proclaimed a dedication to working alongside global citizens toward a future free of nuclear arms and lasting world peace.
