Marking the Anniversary of the Atomic Bomb Tragedy in Nagasaki, Honoring the Casualties
In the city of Nagasaki, a symbol of both the horrors of war and peace, the current mayor, Shiro Suzuki, has taken a strong stance in favor of immediate nuclear disarmament. He has emphasized that the abolition of nuclear weapons cannot be delayed and has thanked those sharing the survivors' desire for Nagasaki to be the last city to suffer an atomic bombing [1][3].
During the 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace held in Nagasaki in August 2025, the participants adopted the "Nagasaki Appeal," urging countries to fulfill their Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) obligations and to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) [1].
However, the Japanese government, represented by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, has not signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons due to domestic political pressures and considerations, including influence from nuclear-armed states and possible strategic interests related to Japan's military posture [4]. This position contrasts with Nagasaki’s local leadership and the activism of atomic bomb survivor groups like Nihon Hidankyo, which won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for advocating nuclear disarmament [2][3].
The atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945 was named "Fat Man." The bombing resulted in the instant death of around 70,000 people, and another 75,000 were injured [5]. Nagasaki, along with Hiroshima, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons.
Last year, the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, consisting of survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts towards a nuclear-weapon-free world [6]. The organization's call for disarmament was preceded by a similar demand from Hiroshima's mayor three days earlier [7].
Suzuki has warned of the growing danger of a nuclear war and has called for this cycle of confrontation and division to be overcome [8]. His peace declaration stated that the existential crisis for humanity has become immediate [9].
In summary, while both Nagasaki's mayor and the Japanese government express intentions toward a nuclear-free world, there remains a notable gap in concrete treaty commitments at the national government level compared to the strong local and civil society push represented by Nagasaki's mayor and anti-nuclear groups [1][4].
References:
- Mayors for Peace
- Nihon Hidankyo
- Japan Times
- Asia Times
- National Museum of the Atomic Bomb
- Nobel Peace Prize
- Hiroshima City
- Suzuki's Peace Declaration
- Suzuki's Warning
politicssurrounding nuclear disarmament in Japan are divided, with the local leadership in Nagasaki – led by Mayor Shiro Suzuki – strongly advocating for immediate nuclear disarmament, but the Japanese government, headed by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, not signing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons due to domestic political pressures and considerations.
general-news reports indicate that this position contrasts significantly with the activism of atomic bomb survivor groups like Nihon Hidankyo, which won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for advocating nuclear disarmament.
