Nagasaki commemorates the 80th anniversary of its atomic bombing, with survivors entrusting the aspirations of a nuclear ban to younger generations
Nagasaki Survivors Emphasize Nuclear Abolition on 76th Anniversary
Nagasaki, Japan - Survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing in Nagasaki are once again gathering to remember the past and advocate for a nuclear-free future. The annual commemoration, scheduled for Saturday, will see survivors sharing their stories with young people during peace forums and digitalizing their narratives for viewing on YouTube and other social media platforms.
The moment of silence in memory of the Nagasaki atomic bombing is set for 11:02 a.m., marking the exact time the bomb detonated in 1945, killing around 70,000 people. The twin bells at Urakami Cathedral, which had been silenced since the attack, will ring together for the first time since the bombing.
The Japanese government's refusal to sign or even participate in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is a source of criticism for the survivors, given Japan's need for U.S. nuclear possession as a deterrent. The number of survivors has fallen to around 99,130, with their average age exceeding 86.
The bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 claimed approximately 140,000 lives, and the Nagasaki bombing followed three days later. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II.
Nagasaki invited representatives from all countries to attend the ceremony on Saturday, but China notified the city it would not be present without providing a reason. Around 3,000 people, including representatives from 95 countries, are expected to attend the event at Nagasaki Peace Park.
Mayor Shiro Suzuki and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba are scheduled to speak at the event. Survivors and their families started paying tribute at Nagasaki Peace Park and nearby hypocenter park hours before the official ceremony.
Survivors express their frustration at the growing nuclear threat and the support among international leaders for developing or possessing nuclear weapons for deterrence. They worry about fading memories as the youngest of the survivors were too young to recall the attack clearly.
Despite their aging, survivors continue to work tirelessly to make Nagasaki the last place on earth hit by a bomb. Organizations such as Hiroshima's Mayors for Peace embody this dedication, coordinating global efforts to prevent nuclear warfare.
One of the bells at Urakami Cathedral had gone missing after the attack but was restored by volunteers. Last year's ceremony stirred controversy due to the absence of the U.S. ambassador and other Western envoys in response to Nagasaki's refusal to invite Israel.
The survivors' shared goal is the abolition of nuclear weapons. They pass their stories to younger generations, transforming personal trauma into a universal call for peace and disarmament. They work with international anti-nuclear campaigns and peace organizations to ensure their experiences are not forgotten and to advocate for nuclear disarmament.
Commemorations, pilgrimages, and dialogue sessions involving survivors, activists, students, and religious leaders happen regularly around anniversaries of the bombings. These events strengthen global commitment to peace and nuclear abolition, directly connecting survivors’ experiences with ongoing social justice movements.
[1] Mayors for Peace: https://www.mayorsforpeace.org/ [2] Hibakusha Stories: https://www.hibakushastories.org/ [3] International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons: https://www.icann.org/ [4] Pax Christi: https://www.paxchristi.net/ [5] Nagasaki Peace Park: https://www.city.nagasaki.jp/sightseeing/nagasaki_peace_park.html
- The survivors of the Nagasaki atomic bombing, in light of their harrowing experiences, are actively involved in various health-and-wellness and general-news campaigns, working with organizations like Mayors for Peace, Hibakusha Stories, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Pax Christi, and advocating for policy-and-legislation changes to promote science-based solutions for nuclear abolition.
- Realizing the gravity of aging, the survivors of Nagasaki's atomic bombing are deeply concerned about the impacts of war-and-conflicts on future generations, emphasizing the importance of their stories being heard within politics and peace forums, to inspire change and safeguard the health-and-wellness of all people.
- As the average age of Nagasaki bomb survivors surpasses 86, their tireless efforts to secure a nuclear-free future have expanded to include digitalization, with their narratives being shared on platforms like YouTube, reaching a broader audience and inspiring critical thinking about peace, policy-and-legislation, and the long-term health-and-wellness implications of war-and-conflicts.
