Survivors mark 75th anniversary of world’s 1st atomic attack

Japan has marked the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing with a memorial service led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as survivors urge for a ban on nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was joined by survivors, their relatives and officials to mark the 8.15am blast anniversary with a minute of silence at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park before laying a wreath.

An upsurge of coronavirus cases in Japan meant a much smaller turnout than had been expected.

The bombing survivors that did turn out, who now have an average age is about 83, continued to press for nations to abolish their nuclear arsenals – with their own government refusing to sign a nuclear weapons ban treaty.  

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (pictured) was joined by survivors, their relatives and officials to mark the 8.15 am blast anniversary with a minute of silence at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park before laying a wreath

The United States dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people. 

A second bomb was dropped three days later on Nagasaki, killing another 70,000. 

Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War II and its nearly half-century of aggression in Asia.

But the decades since have seen the weapons stockpiling of the Cold War and a nuclear standoff among nations that continues to this day. 

A man was seen praying in remembrance at the Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph ahead of the ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing

An upsurge of coronavirus cases in Japan meant a much smaller turnout than had been expected at the Peace Memorial Park within view of the Atomic Bomb Dome (pictured)

An upsurge of coronavirus cases in Japan meant a much smaller turnout than had been expected at the Peace Memorial Park within view of the Atomic Bomb Dome (pictured)

Amid the solemn remembrances at Hiroshima’s peace park, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was confronted by six members of survivors’ groups over the treaty. 

‘Could you please respond to our request to sign the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty?’ Tomoyuki Mimaki, a member of a major survivors’ group, Hidankyo, implored Abe. 

‘The milestone 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing is a chance’ to change course. 

The United States dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people (aftermath pictured)

The United States dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people (aftermath pictured)

Smoke pictured rising 20,000 feet above Hiroshima, western Japan, after the first atomic bomb was dropped during warfare in August 1945

Smoke pictured rising 20,000 feet above Hiroshima, western Japan, after the first atomic bomb was dropped during warfare in August 1945

Abe insisted on Japan’s policy not to sign the treaty, vaguely citing a ‘different approach,’ though he added that the government shares the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons.

‘Abe’s actions don’t seem to match his words,’ said Manabu Iwasa, 47, who came to the park to pray for his father, a bombing survivor who died at age 87 in March. 

‘Japan apparently sides with the United States, but it should make more efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. It’s frustrating, but there is not much we individuals can do.’

An elderly woman wearing a face mask bowed her head as she prayed in front of a cenotaph earlier today to honour the thousands of victims killed in the attack

An elderly woman wearing a face mask bowed her head as she prayed in front of a cenotaph earlier today to honour the thousands of victims killed in the attack

There were thought to be fewer than 1,000 attendees which was one-tenth of those who had attended in past years (attendees pictured observing a minute silence)

There were thought to be fewer than 1,000 attendees which was one-tenth of those who had attended in past years (attendees pictured observing a minute silence)

Even though Tokyo renounces its own possession, production or hosting of nuclear weapons, Japan is a top U.S. ally, hosts 50,000 American troops and is protected by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. This complicates the push to get Tokyo to sign the treaty adopted in 2017, especially as it steps up its military role amid North Korea’s continuing pursuit of a stronger nuclear program.

Abe, in his speech at the ceremony, said a nuclear-free world cannot be achieved overnight and it has to start with dialogue.

‘Japan’s position is to serve as a bridge between different sides and patiently promote their dialogue and actions to achieve a world without nuclear weapons,’ Abe said.

Earlier, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged world leaders to more seriously commit to nuclear disarmament, pointing out Japan’s failures.

‘I ask the Japanese government to heed the appeal of the (bombing survivors) to sign, ratify and become a party to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,’ Matsui said in his peace declaration. ‘As the only nation to suffer a nuclear attack, Japan must persuade the global public to unite with the spirit of Hiroshima.’

Thursday’s peace ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was scaled down because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

There were thought to be fewer than 1,000 attendees which was one-tenth of those who had attended in past years.

Abe (pictured) made a speech during the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing during the ceremony that was scaled back significantly due to coronavirus

Abe (pictured) made a speech during the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing during the ceremony that was scaled back significantly due to coronavirus

Families arrived to burn joss sticks in front of the cenotaph in memory of the atomic bombing victims before the start of a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the tragedy

Families arrived to burn joss sticks in front of the cenotaph in memory of the atomic bombing victims before the start of a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the tragedy

Women wearing face masks amid the coronavirus crisis were seen praying in front of a cenotaph to honour the 140,000 who were killed when an atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima in 1945

Women wearing face masks amid the coronavirus crisis were seen praying in front of a cenotaph to honour the 140,000 who were killed when an atomic bomb fell on Hiroshima in 1945

Some survivors and their relatives prayed at the park’s cenotaph before the ceremony. The registry of the atomic bombing victims is stored at the cenotaph, whose inscription reads, ‘Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the mistake.’

‘The only way to totally eliminate nuclear risk is to totally eliminate nuclear weapons,’ U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a video message from New York for the occasion. Guterres’ expected visit to Hiroshima had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus.

‘Seventy-five years is far too long not to have learned that the possession of nuclear weapons diminishes, rather than reinforces, security,’ he said. ‘Today, a world without nuclear weapons seems to be slipping further from our grasp.’

Attendees sat for a socially distanced ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic earlier today amid the coronavirus pandemic

Attendees sat for a socially distanced ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic earlier today amid the coronavirus pandemic

An elderly couple visited the site last night ahead of the ceremony as they prayed in front of a cenotaph at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima

An elderly couple visited the site last night ahead of the ceremony as they prayed in front of a cenotaph at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima

Workers prepared a series of wreaths for the atomic bombing victims before the start of a ceremony which were later laid in Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park

Workers prepared a series of wreaths for the atomic bombing victims before the start of a ceremony which were later laid in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park

An aging group of survivors, known as hibakusha, feel a growing urgency to tell their stories, in hopes of reaching a younger generation.

Many peace events, including their talks, leading up to the anniversary were cancelled because of the coronavirus, but some survivors have teamed with students or pacifist groups to speak at online events, sometimes connecting with international audiences.

The bombing’s survivors lamented the slow progress of nuclear disarmament and expressed anger over what they said was the Japanese government’s reluctance to help and listen to those who suffered. 

Amid the solemn remembrances at Hiroshima's peace park, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was confronted by six members of survivors' groups over the government's refusal to sign a nuclear weapons ban treaty

Amid the solemn remembrances at Hiroshima’s peace park, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was confronted by six members of survivors’ groups over the government’s refusal to sign a nuclear weapons ban treaty

They want world leaders, especially those from nuclear-weapons states, to visit Hiroshima and see the reality of the atomic bombing.

Keiko Ogura, 84, who survived the atomic bombing at age eight, wants non-nuclear states to pressure Japan into signing the nuclear weapons prohibition treaty.

‘Many survivors are offended by the prime minister of this country because he does not sign the nuclear weapons prohibition treaty,’ said Ogura.

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