Marking the solemn anniversary of 80 years since the atomic bombing, Hiroshima pays tribute to its victims.
In the city of Hiroshima, Japan, the 80th anniversary of the tragic atomic bombing was commemorated this year. On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 AM local time, the US bomber Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb, "Little Boy," causing an estimated 70,000 residents to be killed instantly. The city would go on to suffer further losses, with the total number of deaths reaching around 140,000 by the end of 1945.
The US also dropped a second atomic bomb over the city of Nagasaki three days later. The devastating impact of these weapons is a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare.
This year's commemoration served as a poignant reminder of the past, but also highlighted the current tensions surrounding nuclear weapons. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, warned in a message that the risk of a nuclear conflict was growing again.
The global nuclear arsenal remains a concern, with approximately 12,241 nuclear warheads held by nine countries. Russia and the United States together control roughly 87% of this total, each possessing over 5,000 warheads. Other nuclear states include France, China, the UK, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea.
Despite the commitments in Article 6 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty from 1968, which called for good faith efforts toward nuclear disarmament, efforts toward nuclear disarmament are currently overshadowed by a resurgence in the nuclear arms race. All nuclear-armed states are engaged in nuclear modernization programs, and there is an expansion of nuclear sharing arrangements.
The city of Hiroshima's Mayor, Kazumi Matsui, used the occasion to urge the youth to continue the fight against nuclear weapons. In his speech, he stated that misguided decisions in matters of military spending, national security, and nuclear weapons can have inhuman consequences.
Last year, the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, consisting of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts towards a nuclear-free world. The grassroots movement received the most prestigious peace award for its work in promoting disarmament and advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons.
The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of nuclear weapons. As the world grapples with the ongoing nuclear arms race, the efforts of organizations like Nihon Hidankyo remain crucial in the pursuit of a nuclear-free world.
- The commemoration of the Hiroshima bombing this year brings into focus the ongoing political debates surrounding war-and-conflicts, specifically the resurgence in nuclear arms race, as highlighted by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
- In line with the work of the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year for its efforts towards a nuclear-free world, the ongoing tensions and general news about nuclear weapons make it essential for youth to continue the fight against such armaments.
