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Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Nagasaki Marks 80 Years Since Atomic Bombing; Taiwan Attends Ceremony for 1st Time
NAGASAKI — Survivors and the families of the diseased paid tribute to the victims of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki during the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on Saturday, the 80th anniversary. More than 4,000 people, also including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and ambassadors and other representatives from 94 countries and regions, attended the ceremony held at the Nagasaki Peace Park in the city. Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki spoke about conflicts occurring around the world and expressed a sense of crisis, saying in the Nagasaki Peace Declaration, 'If we continue on this trajectory, we will end up thrusting ourselves into a nuclear war.' Suzuki himself is a second-generation hibakusha atomic bomb survivor. 'In order to make Nagasaki the last atomic-bombed city, it is essential to show a specific course of action for achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons,' the mayor added. Ambassadors from countries and regions that did not attend last year's ceremony due to Nagasaki's decision not to invite Israel amid its attacks on Gaza — including nuclear powers the United States and the United Kingdom — were in attendance this year. Israel attended this year's ceremony. Russia, which continues its aggression against Ukraine, and its ally Belarus attended the ceremony for the first time in four years. Taiwan participated in the event for the first time. However, China and Ukraine, which typically attend the ceremony, were absent. At 11:02 a.m., the time the atomic bomb exploded, the Bell of Nagasaki in the park was rung, and participants offered silent prayers to pay tribute to the victims. In his declaration, Suzuki talked about the late Senji Yamaguchi, who in 1982 became the first hibakusha to address the U.N. General Assembly, and the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations). 'Though the power of one person alone may be weak, if it will lead to great force to open a path to the future,' Suzuki said. Suzuki's peace declaration was followed by the 'Pledge for Peace' read by Hiroshi Nishioka, who was representing the survivors. At 93 years old, Nishioka was the oldest hibakusha to make the pledge. In his address, Ishiba said: 'We must pass down the memories of what unfolded here in Japan 80 years ago — the reality and the tragedy of war, and the brutal impact of the harm wrought by the atomic bombings. We must not allow those memories to fade away under any circumstances.' Ishiba also quoted the late Takashi Nagai, a doctor and survivor of the bombing who devoted himself to treatment of other A-bomb sufferers in the city. 'The devastation that occurred in Nagasaki and Hiroshima must never be repeated,' he said. At the ceremony, three notebooks containing the names of 3,167 people who were exposed to the atomic bombing and were confirmed to have died in the year through the end of July were dedicated. The number those who have died after being exposed to the atomic bombings stands at 201,942.
Yomiuri Shimbun
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Atomic Bomb Survivors Vow to Carry on Pope's Legacy; Remember Powerful Words during Hiroshima, Nagasaki Visits
/> Yomiuri Shimbun file photo Pope Francis, left, listens to atomic bomb survivor Yoshiko Kajimoto at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Nov. 24, 2019. The powerful call for nuclear disarmament made by Pope Francis during his landmark visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2019 — the first papal visit to Japan in 38 years — continues to inspire atomic bomb survivors, who have pledged to carry on his legacy of pursuing peace. The passing of Pope Francis on Monday highlights the enduring impact of his message on those who met him during that visit. Pope Francis delivered a speech at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on Nov. 24, 2019. His death deeply saddened Yoshiko Kajimoto, 94, a Hiroshima resident who recounted her experience of the atomic bomb to the pope. 'I'm deeply saddened. I hope he rests peacefully,' she said. Kajimoto was particularly moved by the pope's assertion that no one can advocate peace with weapons in hand, she said. 'This means that discussing peace while possessing nuclear weapons is futile. I want to continue conveying the pope's legacy as long as I live,' she said. Bishop Mitsuru Shirahama, 62, of the Catholic Diocese of Hiroshima also met with Pope Francis. He reflected on the pope's clear message against nuclear weapons, saying, 'It was a significant boost to our peace activities.' 'We aim to connect the pope's wish that we strive for peace with our activities for the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing,' he added. Pope Francis also delivered a speech at the Nagasaki Hypocenter Park in Nagasaki. 'Although the global situation remains difficult, we are determined to carry on the pope's wishes and realize a peaceful world,' said Shigemitsu Tanaka, 84, a co-chairperson of a Nobel Peace Prize-winning Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo). At the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, a flag flew at half-staff in front of the Holy See Pavilion on Monday afternoon, as visitors offered prayers. The Italian Pavilion, which hosts the Vatican pavilion, canceled the music performances and events scheduled for Monday evening. Ishiba expresses deep sorrow Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba conveyed 'deep sorrow' on Monday at the passing of Pope Francis. 'He delivered powerful messages for peace, and his loss is deeply felt by the entire international community,' Ishiba said in a statement that referred to the pope's visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
