Nagasaki Mayor Sounds Alarm on Nuclear Warfare 80 Years Post Bombing

Shiro Suzuki highlights the need to avert a potential nuclear war as world tensions rise.

The mayor of Nagasaki, Shiro Suzuki, delivered a poignant message on the dangers of nuclear warfare during a somber ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the tragic atomic bombing that devastated the city. He implored the world to confront escalating wars, emphasizing that the cycle of violence could potentially lead humanity into nuclear conflict. "If we continue on this trajectory," he warned, "we will end up thrusting ourselves into a nuclear war.”

The devastating attack on August 9, 1945, led to the loss of approximately 74,000 lives and left enduring scars on the survivors, many of whom suffered severe health issues, including leukaemia, due to radiation exposure. The recent ceremony was observed just days after Hiroshima's similar commemoration, which drew attention to the staggering death toll of approximately 140,000 in the initial blast.

During the event, a moment of silence was observed, and for the first time since the attack, the twin bells of Nagasaki's cathedral rang in harmony, symbolizing a hopeful message for global peace. As a tribute to the bombing's victims, water was symbolically offered by representatives of various generations, paying homage to those who suffered greatly post-blast, with survivors once pleading for water amidst their suffering.

At the event, 93-year-old survivor Hiroshi Nishioka recounted the horrifying experiences he endured, noting the gruesome aftermath, stating, "Even the lucky ones gradually began to bleed from their gums and lose their hair." Another attendee, 50-year-old Nagasaki resident Atsuko Higuchi, expressed gratitude for the remembrance of the victims, remarking, “Instead of thinking that these events belong to the past, we must remember that these are real events that took place.”

Amid ongoing global conflicts such as the war between Russia and Ukraine and hostilities in Israel and Gaza, the mayor indicated a significant change in diplomatic attendance for the ceremony, having invited representatives from Israel, Russia, and Belarus, which were absent during past commemorations due to political tensions.

While the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons came into effect in 2021, nuclear-armed nations have resisted its implementation, viewing their arsenals as a necessary deterrent. Japan continues to rely on U.S. nuclear protection, refraining from fully endorsing the treaty. As Nagasaki reflects on its painful past, the call for peace and disarmament resonates louder than ever.