TOKYO. Nagasaki observed the 78th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city on Wednesday, with the mayor urging world leaders to eliminate nuclear weapons, citing the fact that nuclear deterrence also amplifies the risks of nuclear conflict.
Shiro Suzuki delivered this message following the Group of Seven (G7) industrial nations’ adoption of a distinct document on nuclear disarmament in May, which advocated for the use of nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence.
“Now is the moment to exhibit courage and decide to liberate ourselves from reliance on nuclear deterrence,” expressed Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki in his peace declaration on Wednesday. “As long as nations are dependent on nuclear deterrence, a world devoid of nuclear weapons remains unattainable.”
The United States dropped the world’s inaugural atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, causing the destruction of the city and the loss of 140,000 lives. A second attack three days later on Nagasaki claimed an additional 70,000 lives. Japan surrendered on August 15, marking the end of World War II and nearly five decades of aggression in Asia.
At 11:02 a.m., the precise moment the bomb detonated above the southern Japanese city, participants at the ceremony held a minute of silence accompanied by the resonance of a peace bell.
Suzuki voiced concerns regarding the tragedy’s fading from memory as time passes. Survivors have expressed frustration over the sluggish pace of disarmament, while the gravity of the atomic bombings and the hardships they endured have not yet gained widespread awareness globally.
This concern arises in the wake of widespread reactions to social media posts about the “Barbenheimer” summer campaign linked to movies like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” provoking outrage in Japan.
The juxtaposition of “Barbie” with a biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, who contributed to the development of the atomic bomb, generated memes featuring mushroom clouds. This trend was seen as minimizing the horrific toll of the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings.
Suzuki, whose parents were hibakusha or survivors of the Nagasaki attack, emphasized that comprehending the reality of the atomic bombings forms the foundation for realizing a world without nuclear weapons. He asserted that survivors’ testimonials serve as a genuine deterrent against the use of nuclear weapons.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who did not attend the memorial event in person, acknowledged in his video message that the journey towards a nuclear-free world has become more challenging due to escalating tensions and conflicts, including Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Moreover, a more profound division within the international community is affecting the disarmament movement.
Kishida, who represents Hiroshima in parliament, has aimed to highlight the G7’s dedication to nuclear disarmament. However, he has faced criticism from survivors for justifying nuclear arms possession for deterrence and refusing to endorse the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Suzuki called on Kishida’s administration and national lawmakers to promptly sign and ratify the treaty and to participate as observers in the upcoming meeting “to unequivocally demonstrate Japan’s commitment to abolishing nuclear weapons.”
As a U.S. ally, Japan falls under the U.S. nuclear umbrella and seeks enhanced protection as both allies intensify security cooperation to address threats emanating from China and North Korea’s nuclear and missile advancements. Under its new national security strategy, Kishida’s government is advocating for military expansion with a focus on strike capability.
As of March, the Health and Welfare Ministry reported that 113,649 survivors, with an average age of 85, have been certified as hibakusha and are eligible for government medical support. Many others, including those affected by the “black rain” that fell outside initially designated areas, remain without assistance
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
