Nagasaki mayor warns of nuclear war risk on 80th bombing anniversary

As Japan commemorates the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, the mayor of Nagasaki has cautioned that a similar devastating attack could happen again. Around 2,600 people, including representatives from 90 countries, gathered at Nagasaki Peace Park for a memorial event. At 11:02 a.m., the time the bomb detonated over the city, attendees observed a moment of silence. Mayor Shiro Suzuki, whose parents survived the 1945 attack, urged global action against nuclear weapons, citing escalating conflicts worldwide.

Mayors for Peace, an organization uniting mayors and city leaders globally, is convening its 11th General Conference in Nagasaki during this period of remembrance. The group's primary goal is the elimination of nuclear weapons, a message underscored by Mayor Suzuki. He stressed the need for a clear plan of action to achieve nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The NPT, established in 1968 and enforced in 1970, is reviewed by world leaders every five years. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 prompted the treaty's creation. The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Japan, with the first on Hiroshima on August 6 and the second on Nagasaki on August 9. These bombings led to Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945, and the conclusion of World War II. The devastation caused by the bombs, named "Little Boy" and "Fat Man," was immense, resulting in significant loss of life and destruction.

Mayor Suzuki expressed condolences for the victims of the atomic bombings and all war victims. He reiterated Nagasaki's commitment to preserving the memories of the bombings and working towards nuclear disarmament and lasting global peace. Suzuki declared Nagasaki's determination to be the final atomic bombing site and pledged to collaborate with people worldwide to achieve nuclear disarmament and ensure everlasting peace.