Hiroshima commemorated the bombing with a silent prayer at 8:15 a.m. on August 6, marking the moment the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. Survivors, officials, and students gathered at the memorial cenotaph, emphasizing peace and remembrance. Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned against the normalization of nuclear weapons, referencing global military buildups and conflicts. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated Japan's commitment to a nuclear-free world, while Pope Leo XIV and UN Secretary-General Guterres highlighted the ongoing dangers of nuclear arms. The ceremony included the release of doves, symbolizing a call for peace.
Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned against the growing acceptance of nuclear weapons and the 'accelerating trend toward military buildup around the world,' reflecting on historical tragedies.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated Japan's mission is 'to take the lead ... toward a world without nuclear weapons,' advocating for global disarmament in the current climate.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that Hiroshima and Nagasaki are 'living reminders of the profound horrors wrought by nuclear weapons' amid rising global tensions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned that 'the very weapons that brought such devastation to Hiroshima and Nagasaki are once again being treated as tools of coercion.'
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