The mayor of Hiroshima, Kazumi Matsui, criticised world leaders who claim that nuclear weapons are essential for maintaining national security and warned of the perils of growing global militarism.
He noted that 90 percent of the world’s nuclear warheads are still in the hands of the United States and Russia, adding that “Among the world’s political leaders, there is a growing belief that possessing nuclear weapons is unavoidable in order to protect their own countries.” Matsui was speaking during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the US bombing of Hiroshima in Japan.
“This situation not only nullifies the lessons the international community has learned from the tragic history of the past, but also seriously undermines the frameworks that have been built for peace building,” he said.
“To all the leaders around the world: please visit Hiroshima and witness for yourselves the reality of the atomic bombing,” Matsui added.
Japan’s goal, according to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is “to take the lead… towards a world without nuclear weapons.”
The second world war ended with Japan’s surrender on August 15 because of the bombing` on Hiroshima and the dropping of a plutonium bomb on Nagasaki three days later. Part of the reason Hiroshima was selected as a target was because US planners thought the surrounding mountains would increase the bomb’s force.
Delegates from a record number of nations all over the world and regions attended the annual commemoration service at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, on Wednesday, the site of the bomb’s explosion eight decades ago, which occurred almost directly overhead.
As survivors, politicians, and representatives from 120 nations and territories commemorated the milestone with renewed calls for disarmament, thousands of people gathered in Hiroshima to honour the 80th anniversary of the first nuclear bomb used in a wartime.
On August 6, 1945, the US dropped a uranium bomb codenamed as Little Boy, which destroyed the city in western Japan. About 78,000 people were dead instantly. By year’s end, tens of thousands perished from radiation exposure and burns.
Matsui’s call was echoed by several participants. Yoshikazu Horie, 71, told Reuters, “It feels more and more like history is repeating itself. Terrible things are happening in Europe…Even in Japan, in Asia, it’s going the same way.” He said it was frightening, and he wanted peace for his grandchildren so they can lead happy lives.
Hibakusha, or bomb survivors, were historically subjected to discrimination because of unfounded fears of illness and genetic consequences. This is the first time this year that their numbers have dropped below 100,000.
Japan is not party to the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty but maintains a declared commitment to nuclear disarmament.