08-08-2025
Japan marks 80 years since atomic bombing of Nagasaki
People in Japan are commemorating 80 years since the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. The city will honor the hundreds of thousands of victims in a ceremony on Saturday.
The proceedings will be held at the city's Peace Park. Survivors and family members are expected to be joined by representatives from 95 countries and regions.
During the event, an updated list of the atomic bomb victims will be placed at the memorial site. It will include the names of survivors who died or were confirmed dead in the past 12 months. The list now has 201,942 names.
At 11:02 a.m. the city will observe a moment of silence marking the exact time the bomb exploded on August 9, 1945.
Nagasaki Mayor Suzuki Shiro will then deliver a declaration of peace. He's expected to call for immediate ceasefires to conflicts around the world.
There are now fewer than 100,000 atomic bomb survivors, or hibakusha, still alive. Their average age is over 86. Every year, it becomes more difficult to hear from them directly.
Throughout the day people in Nagasaki will reflect on the catastrophe and send the message that the atomic bombing that devastated the city should forever be the world's last.
