Memorializing the Atomic Bomb Victims of Nagasaki
In the Japanese city of Nagasaki, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing was solemnly commemorated. The event holds symbolic importance, being the last city to suffer an atomic inferno.
At 11:02 am local time, a minute of silence was observed to mark the moment when the "Fat Man" atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. Nagasaki's Mayor, Shiro Suzuki, issued a peace declaration, calling for the abolition of all nuclear weapons worldwide.
Suzuki warned of the growing danger of a nuclear war, echoing the sentiments of his colleague in Hiroshima who made a similar call three days earlier. The world, according to Suzuki, is plagued by a devilish cycle of confrontation and division.
The Japanese Empire surrendered on August 15, 1945, following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Today, these cities stand as symbols of the horrors of war and of peace. Around 70,000 people were killed instantly in Nagasaki by the atomic bomb, and another 75,000 were injured.
The Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, comprising survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, continues to advocate for a nuclear-free world. Last year, the organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts.
However, Japan has not ratified the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which entered into force in 2021. The Japanese government has expressed a commitment to nuclear disarmament but prefers to pursue this goal within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) involving nuclear powers.
Despite this, Hibakusha groups continue to urge Japan to attend TPNW meetings as an observer and promote nuclear disarmament on that platform. However, official government participation has not materialized.
Suzuki called on his country's government to join the 2017 UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, emphasizing the need for Japan to overcome this cycle of inaction. The mayor's call comes as the world grapples with the existential crisis for humanity, with each person on Earth feeling the immediacy of this threat.
References:
- Nikkei Asia
- The Asahi Shimbun
- Arms Control Association
- Japan Today
- The Diplomat
In light of the ongoing global concern for peace and nuclear disarmament, the Japanese Mayor of Nagasaki, Shiro Suzuki, emphasized the need for Japan to ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) during the 80th anniversary commemoration of the atomic bombing. This treaty, which entered into force in 2021, represents a significant step towards a nuclear-free world. The politics and general news surrounding war-and-conflicts echo the urgent calls for nuclear abolition from cities like Nagasaki and Hiroshima, serenading the importance of breaking the cycle of confrontation and division.
