On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the city's mayor delivered a powerful speech, drawing parallels between the horrors of 1945 and the escalating nuclear threats in Ukraine and the Middle East. The sombre ceremony served as a stark reminder of humanity's capacity for destruction, while urging world leaders to prioritise disarmament.
A Warning from History
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui addressed a crowd of survivors, diplomats, and citizens, emphasising that the lessons of the past remain unheeded. "The shadows of nuclear war loom larger than ever," he declared, referencing the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.
Global Calls for Peace
The mayor criticised nations clinging to nuclear arsenals as deterrents, arguing that such policies only heighten the risk of catastrophe. "No city should ever suffer what Hiroshima endured," he stated, calling for renewed commitment to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Survivors' Plea
Atomic bomb survivors, known as hibakusha, shared harrowing testimonies, pleading with younger generations to continue their fight for a nuclear-free world. Many expressed dismay at the slow progress of global disarmament efforts.
A Moment of Reflection
The ceremony concluded with a minute's silence at 8:15 am - the exact moment the bomb detonated in 1945 - as paper lanterns floated down the Motoyasu River in remembrance of the 140,000 lives lost.
