Warning against nuclear weapons at Hiroshima memorial
The western Japanese city of Hiroshima was levelled on August 6, 1945, when the United States dropped a uranium bomb nicknamed "Little Boy", killing about 78,000 people instantly.
Hiroshima was the headquarters of some military units and a major supply base during World War Two. US war planners calculated that the surrounding mountains would concentrate the force of the bomb and enhance its destructiveness.
"Little Boy" unleashed a surge of heat reaching 4000degC and radiation that killed tens of thousands more by the end of the year. It was followed by a plutonium bomb on Nagasaki three days later, and Japan's surrender on August 15.
Representatives from a record 120 countries and territories including nuclear superpower the United States, and Israel, which neither confirms nor denies having nuclear weaponry, attended the annual ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park for the milestone year.
After a moment of silence observed at 8.15am, the exact time of the blast, mayor Kazumi Matsui called on leaders to heed the lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and warned of the consequences of the global trend towards a military buildup.
"Among the world's political leaders, there is a growing belief that possessing nuclear weapons is unavoidable in order to protect their own countries," he said, noting that the US and Russia possessed 90% of the world's nuclear warheads.
"This situation not only nullifies the lessons the international community has learned from the tragic history of the past, but also seriously undermines the frameworks that have been built for peace-building.
"To all the leaders around the world: Please visit Hiroshima and witness for yourselves the reality of the atomic bombing."
Yoshikazu Horie, a 71-year-old tourist, expressed a similar sentiment.
"It feels more and more like history is repeating itself. Terrible things are happening in Europe ... Even in Japan, in Asia, it's going the same way, it's very scary," he said.
"I've got grandchildren and I want peace so they can live their lives happily."
In the decades following the attacks, those who survived, called "hibakusha", often faced discrimination as rumours spread that they carried diseases and their offspring could be tainted. Their numbers fell below 100,000 for the first time this year.
Japan, the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, has stated its commitment to nuclear disarmament but is not a signatory or observer of the UN treaty to ban nuclear weapons.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
‘There Is No Military Solution' To End Israel-Palestine Conflict, Security Council Hears, As Starvation Stalks Gaza
10 August 2025 Two top UN officials warned that the Israeli cabinet's green light this week for a fresh offensive aimed at gaining total military control of Gaza City – home to around one million Palestinians – would only risk igniting 'another horrific chapter' of displacement, death and destruction. Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, told ambassadors that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed plan for 'defeating Hamas' and the establishment of an alternative civilian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority, risked 'yet another dangerous escalation' that would destabilise the entire region. However, according to Israeli media reports, the senior political affairs official continued, the Israeli plan foresees the displacement of all civilians from Gaza City by 7 October, affecting some 800,000 people – many previously displaced. Reports indicate that forces would then surround the city for three months. This would reportedly then be followed by an additional two months to seize control of central Gaza's camps and clear the entire area of Palestinian armed groups. Calamitous plan 'If these plans are implemented, they will likely trigger another calamity in Gaza, reverberating across the region and causing further forced displacement, killings, and destruction – compounding the unbearable suffering of the population,' said Mr. Jenča, calling for a full, immediate, and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional, immediate release of all hostages and compliance with international humanitarian law by Israel. He said there was no military solution to end the conflict adding that planning for Gaza's future 'as we address the urgency of developments on the ground today,' is critical. Mr. Jenča called for establishing political and security frameworks to ease the humanitarian crisis, while beginning recovery and reconstruction efforts that address the legitimate concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians – in line with realising a two-State solution. United Palestine 'Critically these frameworks must facilitate a legitimate Palestinian Government that can reunify Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, politically, economically and administratively." Furthermore, it must be made up of a united leadership representing all of Palestine. He called on the Palestinian Authority to 'advance its stated goal of holding elections' to this end. 'This is starvation': Rajasingham Senior humanitarian affairs official Ramesh Rajasingham told ambassadors that hunger-related deaths were already rising, ahead of any new mass-displacement policy for Gaza City. 'Whatever lifelines remain, are collapsing under the weight of sustained hostilities, forced displacement and insufficient levels of life-saving aid.' He said with local authorities documenting the deaths of 98 children from severe acute malnutrition – 37 since 1 July – 'this is no longer a looming hunger crisis – this is starvation.' The head of the humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) in Geneva said he was extremely concerned over the 'prolonged conflict and further human toll that is likely to unfold following the Government of Israel's decision to expand military operations in Gaza.' 'This marks a grave escalation in a conflict that has already inflicted unimaginable suffering.' 'Grim milestone' 'A grim milestone has also been crossed in the humanitarian community,' he lamented, noting that over 500 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since hostilities escalated, including at least 167 women. Smear campaigns against aid operations continue unabated. 'As we approach World Humanitarian Day, we must insist on the protection of all aid workers,' he added. States – all those with any influence – must look within our bruised collective conscience and summon the courage to do what is necessary to end this inhumanity and pain, he said. Civilians must be protected, and hostages must be released unconditionally. Arbitrarily detained Palestinians must be freed. Israel must agree to and facilitate humanitarian relief operations, both into and within the Gaza Strip, to reach the population in need. The International Court of Justice's (ICJ) provisional measures in the case on the application of the Genocide Convention in Gaza remain in place, the top OCHA official added, including the demand that Israel take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
ANZ Protest In Dunedin – As Part Of A Series Of Protests Around The Country
ANZ is the last bank in the country to still provide banking services for the majority overseas owned Bathurst Mining Company, which wants to expand the Stockton mine (NZ's largest open cast coal mine) onto the unique alpine wetland that is the Denniston … 08 August I was outside the ANZ bank on George Street in Dunedin this morning along with around 60 other protesters as part of a series of protests around the country organised by 350 and Climate Liberation Aotearoa in regard to the ANZ being the last bank in the country to still provide banking services for the majority overseas owned Bathurst Mining Company, which wants to expand the Stockton mine (NZ's largest open cast coal mine) onto the unique alpine wetland that is the Denniston Plateau. The protest was also in support of Rachael Andrews and Tamati Taptiklis, who have been living in coal buckets 80 metres above the ground since last Monday (28th July) to stop the mine from delivering coal to the train which takes it to the coast to be exported to a Japanese coal mine. New Treasury figures show last year the Government spent more than $3 million treating damage caused this single mine – more than it collected in royalties for all coal mining nationwide the same year. The protesters were outside the bank by 8.15am and successfully prevented the staff from entering until around 8.50am when a wedge of police forced their way through the protesters allowing the staff to enter. The protesters continued to block the door and there were a number of scuffles as police forced protesters to move from the sides of the door to allow a small number of customers to enter. There was one unfortunate incident when a 65 year old lady started to angrily yell at the protesters in front of the doors and then slipped over when the police suddenly pushed forwards but she was not injured. At least one protester was slightly injured when a policeman stood on his shoulder and local activist, James Cockle was arrested about 9.45 for breach of bail. James was arrested at a previous protest at the mine itself and part of his bail conditions were not to be involved in illegal protests but as this was a legal protest. Around 11am the bank decided to close and the majority of the protesters moved off shortly afterwards. In my opinion both the bank and the police were wrong in allowing the bank to open while there were protesters blocking the doors and then shoving people aside to shepherd customers in and while around 20 customers did get into the bank this way it was lucky no-one was seriously injured. Press release from Climate Liberation Aotearoa – Hundreds of protestors will again be outside ANZ banks around the country tomorrow, demanding that ANZ stops providing banking services to New Zealand's largest coal miner, Bathurst Resources. The coalition government's fast-track legislation means Bathurst has yet another go at mining coal from the Denniston Plateau, which New Zealanders have fought to protect for many years. At the same time two Climate Liberation Aotearoa supporters are nearing the end of their second week occupying a coal bucket high above the forest on the Buller Plateau, stopping coal from being transported aerially from Bathurst's Stockton mine. Meanwhile Bathurst employees have been firing gunshots, letting off detonators and shaking the wire ropes near the occupied coal bucket. 'Hey, ANZ, have you noticed? It's a fricken Climate Emergency!' said spokesperson for Climate Liberation Aotearoa Rosemary Penwarden. 'We're here in solid support of our coal bucket buddies. We can't all be in the coal bucket but we can all make our voices heard outside ANZ. 'We're not about to let an Aussie listed coal miner destroy the Denniston Plateau for the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet.' ANZ is the last bank willing to supply banking services to Bathurst Resources. Other banks like BNZ and Kiwibank have committed to stop providing banking services to coal companies by 2030. 'Coal is the world's most polluting fossil fuel. It belongs in the history books. Miners have transferable skills. Instead of belching out carbon pollution on a scale that rivals New Zealand's entire annual emissions for the next 25 years, Bathurst could save the Denniston Plateau, invest in renewable energy instead of coal, and provide jobs for its employees that will help safeguard, not destroy, our future.' 'We're here to tell you, ANZ – stop hanging out with Bathurst. Right now they're acting like cowboys, threatening climate hell – and you're complicit.'
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
ANZ Protest In Dunedin - As Part Of A Series Of Protests Around The Country
08 August I was outside the ANZ bank on George Street in Dunedin this morning along with around 60 other protesters as part of a series of protests around the country organised by 350 and Climate Liberation Aotearoa in regard to the ANZ being the last bank in the country to still provide banking services for the majority overseas owned Bathurst Mining Company, which wants to expand the Stockton mine (NZ's largest open cast coal mine) onto the unique alpine wetland that is the Denniston Plateau. The protest was also in support of Rachael Andrews and Tamati Taptiklis, who have been living in coal buckets 80 metres above the ground since last Monday (28th July) to stop the mine from delivering coal to the train which takes it to the coast to be exported to a Japanese coal mine. New Treasury figures show last year the Government spent more than $3 million treating damage caused this single mine - more than it collected in royalties for all coal mining nationwide the same year. The protesters were outside the bank by 8.15am and successfully prevented the staff from entering until around 8.50am when a wedge of police forced their way through the protesters allowing the staff to enter. The protesters continued to block the door and there were a number of scuffles as police forced protesters to move from the sides of the door to allow a small number of customers to enter. There was one unfortunate incident when a 65 year old lady started to angrily yell at the protesters in front of the doors and then slipped over when the police suddenly pushed forwards but she was not injured. At least one protester was slightly injured when a policeman stood on his shoulder and local activist, James Cockle was arrested about 9.45 for breach of bail. James was arrested at a previous protest at the mine itself and part of his bail conditions were not to be involved in illegal protests but as this was a legal protest. Around 11am the bank decided to close and the majority of the protesters moved off shortly afterwards. In my opinion both the bank and the police were wrong in allowing the bank to open while there were protesters blocking the doors and then shoving people aside to shepherd customers in and while around 20 customers did get into the bank this way it was lucky no-one was seriously injured. Press release from Climate Liberation Aotearoa - Hundreds of protestors will again be outside ANZ banks around the country tomorrow, demanding that ANZ stops providing banking services to New Zealand's largest coal miner, Bathurst Resources. The coalition government's fast-track legislation means Bathurst has yet another go at mining coal from the Denniston Plateau, which New Zealanders have fought to protect for many years. At the same time two Climate Liberation Aotearoa supporters are nearing the end of their second week occupying a coal bucket high above the forest on the Buller Plateau, stopping coal from being transported aerially from Bathurst's Stockton mine. Meanwhile Bathurst employees have been firing gunshots, letting off detonators and shaking the wire ropes near the occupied coal bucket. 'Hey, ANZ, have you noticed? It's a fricken Climate Emergency!' said spokesperson for Climate Liberation Aotearoa Rosemary Penwarden. 'We're here in solid support of our coal bucket buddies. We can't all be in the coal bucket but we can all make our voices heard outside ANZ. 'We're not about to let an Aussie listed coal miner destroy the Denniston Plateau for the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet.' ANZ is the last bank willing to supply banking services to Bathurst Resources. Other banks like BNZ and Kiwibank have committed to stop providing banking services to coal companies by 2030. 'Coal is the world's most polluting fossil fuel. It belongs in the history books. Miners have transferable skills. Instead of belching out carbon pollution on a scale that rivals New Zealand's entire annual emissions for the next 25 years, Bathurst could save the Denniston Plateau, invest in renewable energy instead of coal, and provide jobs for its employees that will help safeguard, not destroy, our future.' 'We're here to tell you, ANZ - stop hanging out with Bathurst. Right now they're acting like cowboys, threatening climate hell - and you're complicit.'
