Japan imperial couple to commemorate A-bomb victims in Hiroshima
KYODO NEWS - 30 minutes ago - 11:44 | Japan, All
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Thursday visited Hiroshima Prefecture to pay their respects to atomic bomb victims ahead of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The imperial couple is expected to offer flowers and a silent prayer at a cenotaph in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as they reflect on the horrors of the Aug. 6, 1945, atomic bombing. It will be their first trip to the city since the emperor's accession in 2019.
Later in the day, they are also scheduled to view an exhibition on building remnants and meet survivors at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
Emperor Naruhito's grandfather, Emperor Hirohito -- posthumously known as Emperor Showa -- first visited Hiroshima after the bombing in December 1947.
Calls to hold Emperor Hirohito accountable for Japan's actions continued long after the war, with his comment at a 1975 press conference that the bombings were "unavoidable" causing further controversy.
Meanwhile, Emperor Naruhito's parents, former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko, visited the cenotaph in Hiroshima five times during his reign. They also visited hospitals and nursing homes for atomic bomb survivors, showing deep concern for their suffering.
The imperial couple observes a moment of silence every year on four days commemorating World War II -- Okinawa Memorial Day, the anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the anniversary of Japan's surrender -- a tradition that the current emperor and his wife have followed.
Emperor Naruhito last visited the cenotaph in October 2006 when he was still crown prince, while Empress Masako last joined him around 25 years ago in November 2000.
As part of memorial visits to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, the couple in April visited Iwoto Island, formerly known as Iwojima, the site of a fierce battle in the Pacific between Japan and the United States, and Okinawa earlier this month with their daughter, Princess Aiko.
The imperial couple are scheduled to visit Nagasaki, the other atomic-bombed city, in September.
Related coverage:
Japan imperial couple, Princess Aiko honor war dead in Okinawa
Nagasaki considering Taiwan's request to attend A-bomb ceremony
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