Commemorating thosetragically affected by the atomic explosion in Nagasaki
Article: Nagasaki Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing, Calls for Nuclear Disarmament
On August 9, 2025, the Japanese city of Nagasaki marked the 80th anniversary of the devastating atomic bombing that took place on the same day in 1945. The event, known as the "Fat Man" bombing, was the second and final atomic attack on Japan during World War II.
Nagasaki's Mayor, Shiro Suzuki, issued a peace declaration, appealing for the abolition of all nuclear weapons worldwide. In his speech, Suzuki emphasised the current cycle of confrontation and division in the world, stating that the existential crisis for humanity has become immediate for each one on Earth.
Suzuki called on the world to learn from history to ensure that Nagasaki remains the last city to suffer an atomic inferno. He also expressed concern over the growing danger of a nuclear war, urging nations to heed the lessons of the past and work towards a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Three days prior to the Nagasaki bombing, the US had devastated Hiroshima with an atomic bomb of lesser power. Both cities, now powerful symbols of war horrors and peace, continue to commemorate the victims and work towards a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Nagasaki's plea for nuclear disarmament is echoed by the grassroots movement of Nihon Hidankyo, an organization composed of survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Last year, Nihon Hidankyo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts towards a nuclear-weapon-free world.
The 2017 UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is a treaty aimed at banning nuclear weapons entirely. As of 2025, Japan has neither signed nor ratified the TPNW. Despite being the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during World War II, Japan continues to abstain from joining the treaty, mainly due to the pressure from nuclear-armed states and reliance on the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
Japan’s government has maintained a policy aligned with the U.S. nuclear umbrella for deterrence rather than joining the TPNW, reflecting a shift in its nuclear policy priorities away from abolition toward strategic deterrence. There is significant domestic and international pressure on Japan to sign the TPNW given its historical experience, but the government has so far resisted due to complex geopolitical and security considerations, including influences from nuclear powers.
Japan remains a party to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which focuses on limiting nuclear weapons but does not ban them outright, contrasting with the TPNW’s complete prohibition approach.
At 11:02 am local time, a minute of silence was observed in Nagasaki to commemorate the drop of the "Fat Man" atomic bomb. As the city looks back on the past, it continues to call for a future free of nuclear weapons, hoping that its tragic history will serve as a reminder for the world to work towards peace and disarmament.
[1] "Japan's stance on the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons." Nautilus Institute. (2021). https://nautilus.org/research/japans-stance-on-the-un-treaty-on-the-prohibition-of-nuclear-weapons/ [2] "Japan's nuclear policy: A shift from abolition to strategic deterrence." The Diplomat. (2021). https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/japans-nuclear-policy-a-shift-from-abolition-to-strategic-deterrence/ [3] "Why Japan won't join the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons." BBC News. (2019). https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48145196 [4] "Japan's nuclear policy: The path to a post-NPT world." The Japan Times. (2021). https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2021/07/23/editorials/japans-nuclear-policy-path-post-npt-world/ [5] "The NPT and the TPNW: What's the difference?" Arms Control Association. (2021). https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2021-05/npt-and-treaty-prohibition-nuclear-weapons-whats-difference
In light of the ongoing global concerns about nuclear weapons, Nagasaki's call for nuclear disarmament has gained significance, particularly as it echoes the sentiments of organizations like Nihon Hidankyo, advocating for a nuclear-weapon-free world. Despite Japan's historical experience as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during World War II, its stance on the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons remains unclear, with complex geopolitical and security considerations hindering its potential ratification. This periodic commemoration of the atomic bombing in Nagasaki serves as a poignant reminder of the need for ongoing efforts in political discussions, war-and-conflicts, and general news to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free future.
