Hiroshima holds memorial ceremony for 81st anniversary of atomic bombing

The ceremony saw the first attendance of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in her official capacity, during which she advocated for a 'realistic approach' to nuclear abolition under the UN Non-Proliferation Treaty and suggested revising Japan's post-war non-nuclear principles. Additionally, reports indicate that the number of atomic bomb survivors has fallen to 91,105, with their average age now exceeding 86 years. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui also used the occasion to criticize major powers for justifying nuclear weapons as a method of deterrence.

The ceremony, which saw the participation of representatives from approximately 120 countries and regions, included the first attendance of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in her capacity as Prime Minister. During the event, a minute of silence was observed at 8:15 AM, and the Prime Minister advocated for a 'realistic approach' toward nuclear disarmament within the framework of the NPT, while also discussing the potential revision of Japan's post-war non-nuclear principles.

The commemoration was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the first time in her current capacity, where she advocated for a 'realistic approach' to nuclear disarmament within the NPT framework. While confirming that Japan maintains its three non-nuclear principles, she did not express a clear commitment to adhering to them in the future and suggested the possibility of revising the third principle. Additionally, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned that legitimizing nuclear deterrence 'simply pushes a world without nuclear weapons further into the distance.'

The ceremony featured Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's first attendance in her current capacity, during which she advocated for a 'realistic approach' to nuclear disarmament within the NPT framework. While maintaining the country's postwar three non-nuclear principles, she did not express a clear commitment to adhering to these policies in the future and suggested the possibility of revising the third principle. Additionally, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui criticized the legitimization of nuclear deterrence, warning that such views push the goal of a nuclear-free world further away.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended the commemoration for the first time and stated she would take a 'realistic approach' toward a world without nuclear weapons within the UN framework, though she did not express a clear commitment to adhering to Japan's postwar three non-nuclear principles. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui criticized the legitimization of nuclear deterrence, warning that such actions risk cycles of violence. Additionally, reports indicate the number of atomic bomb survivors has fallen to 91,105, with their average age now exceeding 86 years.