Nagasaki Commemorates 80 Years Since Atomic Bombing, Calls for Peace
Nagasaki recently marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing with a heartfelt memorial, where Mayor Shiro Suzuki highlighted the urgent need for global action to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The event, attended by around 2,600 people from 90 countries, took place at the Nagasaki Peace Park, coinciding with the exact moment the bomb detonated in 1945.
In his speech, Mayor Suzuki, whose family lived through the devastation, urged leaders to reflect on the current global conflicts and the rising tensions that could lead the world toward nuclear war. “If we continue down this path, we risk repeating the grave mistakes of history,” he warned the audience, emphasizing that the threat of nuclear warfare is more pressing than ever.
The mayor called for collective efforts to abolish nuclear weapons, stressing that procrastination on this issue is no longer acceptable. He mentioned the upcoming 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a critical moment that could shape the future of humanity. This treaty, established in 1968, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear arms and promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
As world leaders prepare to gather and review the NPT, Mayor Suzuki expressed hope that Nagasaki would serve as a powerful reminder of the destructive potential of nuclear weapons. “We must ensure that no other city experiences the horrors that we have seen,” he stated firmly.
Reflecting on the past, Suzuki paid tribute to the many lives lost in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, acknowledging the suffering caused by these events while calling for peace and mutual understanding. He concluded his remarks by reaffirming Nagasaki’s commitment to work alongside global citizens in the ongoing fight for a world free from nuclear weapons.
As the world remembers these pivotal moments in history, the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and a renewed focus on peace cannot be overstated. The message emerging from Nagasaki serves as a powerful reminder of the need to prioritize humanity and avoid the mistakes of the past.
