Hiroshima Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing Amid Calls for Nuclear Disarmament

On August 6, 2025, Hiroshima observed the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city in 1945. The ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park drew approximately 55,000 attendees, including representatives from 120 countries and regions. A minute of silence was observed at 8:15 a.m., the exact time the bomb was dropped.

Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui addressed the gathering, expressing concern over the increasing global acceptance of military buildups and the use of nuclear weapons for national security. He stated, "These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history."

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated the government's commitment to a world without nuclear weapons. However, he did not mention the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, highlighting Japan's reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella.

Survivors, known as hibakusha, voiced frustration over the growing support for nuclear deterrence. Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization of survivors, emphasized the urgency of nuclear abolition, stating, "We don't have much time left, while we face a greater nuclear threat than ever."

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a message delivered by Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu, highlighted the importance of remembering the past to protect and build peace today and in the future.

Pope Leo XIV also addressed the anniversary, urging the international community to renew its commitment to pursuing lasting peace for the entire human family.

The ceremony concluded with the release of white doves, symbolizing peace, as attendees reflected on the enduring impact of the bombing and the ongoing pursuit of a nuclear-free world.