Japan marked the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing with a solemn peace ceremony, reaffirming its commitment to its long-standing non-nuclear principles. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized that the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated. The commemoration comes as Japan simultaneously undertakes its largest defense buildup since World War II in response to growing security concerns posed by China and North Korea, highlighting the country's delicate balance between peace and national security.

August 6, 1945: Around 140,000 People Perished in Hiroshima Bombing

Japan has marked the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirming the country's commitment to its long-standing non-nuclear principles.

Thousands gathered at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to honor the victims of the world's first atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. During the ceremony, Japan pledged to continue supporting global nuclear disarmament while maintaining its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The commemoration comes as Japan undertakes its largest military buildup since World War II, citing growing regional security challenges from China, North Korea, and closer Russia-China-North Korea cooperation. The country recently conducted its first live-fire test of a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile, highlighting its expanding conventional defense capabilities.

Japan Honors Hiroshima Victims While Expanding Military Capabilities | Hiroshima Anniversary

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide&nbsp;Suga on Friday&nbsp;accidentally skipped&nbsp;parts of a speech in Hiroshima to mark the anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city 76 years ago.

However,&nbsp;Suga&nbsp;said at a news conference held after the ceremony,&nbsp;"I want to take this occasion to apologise for having skipped some parts of my speech at the ceremony."

Media reports said he had skipped over a page, and that the mistake was noticed as public broadcaster NHK stopped displaying subtitles during his speech at the Hiroshima anniversary ceremony.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/japan-marks-hiroshima-bomb-anniversary-with-low-key-ceremonies-403321" hreflang="en">Japan marks Hiroshima bomb anniversary with low-key ceremonies</a>

The error attracted attention because of the solemnity of the event, held each year to remember those who died from the blast.&nbsp;

Suga&nbsp;is already under pressure from critics for going ahead with the Olympics amid a surge in COVID-19 infections.

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The skipped parts included Japan being the only nation to have suffered an atomic bombing and its mission to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons, according to Kyodo News.

Suga&nbsp;reiterated during the news conference that the government doesn't believe hosting the Tokyo Olympics is contributing to the recent increase in COVID-19 infections.

The government will also discuss with Olympics organisers on the issue of Paralympic spectators after the close of the Olympics, he added.

Tokyo 2020 is being held under strict anti-virus rules, with spectators banned from most competition venues.

The Olympics are scheduled to end on August&nbsp;8, with the Paralympics slated to start on August&nbsp;24.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday accidentally skipped parts of a speech in Hiroshima to mark the anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city 76 years ago.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday accidentally skipped parts of a speech in Hiroshima to mark the anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city 76 years ago. However, Suga said at a news conference held after the ceremony, "I want to take this occasion to apologise for having skipped some parts of my speech at the ceremony." Media reports said he had skipped over a page, and that the mistake was noticed as public broadcaster NHK stopped displaying subtitles during his speech at the Hiroshima anniversary ceremony. Also see | Japan marks Hiroshima bomb anniversary with low-key ceremonies The error attracted attention because of the solemnity of the event, held each year to remember those who died from the blast. Suga is already under pressure from critics for going ahead with the Olympics amid a surge in COVID-19 infections. The skipped parts included Japan being the only nation to have suffered an atomic bombing and its mission to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons, according to Kyodo News. Suga reiterated during the news conference that the government doesn't believe hosting the Tokyo Olympics is contributing to the recent increase in COVID-19 infections. The government will also discuss with Olympics organisers on the issue of Paralympic spectators after the close of the Olympics, he added. Tokyo 2020 is being held under strict anti-virus rules, with spectators banned from most competition venues. The Olympics are scheduled to end on August 8, with the Paralympics slated to start on August 24. (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga accidentally skips part of Hiroshima speech, apologises

Japan marks Hiroshima bomb anniversary with low-key ceremonies

August 6 in history: Atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Jamaica gains independence and more

'Unspeakable horror': The tale of attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will refrain from visiting the Yasukuni shrine for war dead on the 75th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War Two, Jiji news agency said on Sunday, but will make an offering on the emotive day, as he has done in the past.

The shrine, dedicated to Japanese who have died during past wars including World War Two, is seen as a potent symbol of the controversy that persists over the conflict’s legacy in East Asia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/unspeakable-horror-the-tale-of-attacks-on-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-318534">Have a look|&nbsp;'Unspeakable horror': The tale of attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki</a>

“He will make a ritual offering to the shrine out of his personal expenses as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as he has done in previous years,” sources close to the matter said, according to the report.

Since 1978, the shrine has also honoured leaders convicted as “Class A” war criminals at an allied tribunal in 1948, making it deeply controversial at home and abroad.

Abe’s last visit to the shrine, shortly after he took office in December 2013, caused outrage in China and South Korea, who see the visits as a sign that Japan has not repented for its militarist past and war atrocities.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will refrain from visiting the Yasukuni shrine for war dead on the 75th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War Two, Jiji news agency said on Sunday, but will make an offering on the emotive day, as he has done in the past.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will refrain from visiting the Yasukuni shrine for war dead on the 75th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War Two, Jiji news agency said on Sunday, but will make an offering on the emotive day, as he has done in the past. The shrine, dedicated to Japanese who have died during past wars including World War Two, is seen as a potent symbol of the controversy that persists over the conflict’s legacy in East Asia. Have a look| 'Unspeakable horror': The tale of attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki “He will make a ritual offering to the shrine out of his personal expenses as the leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as he has done in previous years,” sources close to the matter said, according to the report. Since 1978, the shrine has also honoured leaders convicted as “Class A” war criminals at an allied tribunal in 1948, making it deeply controversial at home and abroad. Abe’s last visit to the shrine, shortly after he took office in December 2013, caused outrage in China and South Korea, who see the visits as a sign that Japan has not repented for its militarist past and war atrocities.

Japan's Abe to avoid visit to war-linked shrine on 75th war anniversary: Jiji

Hiroshima marks 75 years since atomic bombing in scaled-back ceremony

August 6 in history: World's first execution by electric chair, US drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima and more

Hiroshima marks 74th anniversary of bloody atomic bombing

Japan on Sunday marked 72 years since the world&#39;s first nuclear attack on Hiroshima, with the nation&#39;s traditional contradictions over atomic weapons again coming into focus.

The anniversary came after Japan sided last month with nuclear powers Britain, France and the US to dismiss a UN treaty banning atomic weapons, which was rejected by critics for ignoring the reality of security threats such as North Korea.

Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, in 1945.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, speaking at the annual ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park near the ground zero, said Japan hoped to push for a world without nuclear weapons in a way that all countries can agree.

&quot;For us to truly pursue a world without nuclear weapons, we need participation from both nuclear-weapons and non-nuclear weapons states,&quot; Abe said in his speech at the annual ceremony.

&quot;Our country is committed to leading the international community by encouraging both sides&quot; to make progress toward abolishing nuclear arms, Abe added without directly referring to the UN treaty.

Japanese officials have criticised the UN Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty as deepening a divide between countries with and without nuclear arms. None of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons took part in the negotiations or vote on the treaty.

Japanese officials routinely argue that they abhor nuclear weapons, but the nation&#39;s defence is firmly set under the US nuclear umbrella.

Japan suffered two nuclear attacks at the end of the World War II by the United States -- in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and in Nagasaki three days later.

The bombings claimed the lives of 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 74,000 people in Nagasaki. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later.

Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15, 1945.

Many in Japan feel the attacks amount to war crimes and atrocities because they targeted civilians and due to the unprecedented destructive nature of the weapons.

But many Americans believe they hastened the end of a bloody conflict, and ultimately saved lives, thus justifying the bombings.

Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima in May last year, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb.

Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, in 1945

Japan on Sunday marked 72 years since the world's first nuclear attack on Hiroshima, with the nation's traditional contradictions over atomic weapons again coming into focus. The anniversary came after Japan sided last month with nuclear powers Britain, France and the US to dismiss a UN treaty banning atomic weapons, which was rejected by critics for ignoring the reality of security threats such as North Korea. Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, in 1945. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, speaking at the annual ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park near the ground zero, said Japan hoped to push for a world without nuclear weapons in a way that all countries can agree. "For us to truly pursue a world without nuclear weapons, we need participation from both nuclear-weapons and non-nuclear weapons states," Abe said in his speech at the annual ceremony. "Our country is committed to leading the international community by encouraging both sides" to make progress toward abolishing nuclear arms, Abe added without directly referring to the UN treaty. Japanese officials have criticised the UN Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty as deepening a divide between countries with and without nuclear arms. None of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons took part in the negotiations or vote on the treaty. Japanese officials routinely argue that they abhor nuclear weapons, but the nation's defence is firmly set under the US nuclear umbrella. Japan suffered two nuclear attacks at the end of the World War II by the United States -- in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and in Nagasaki three days later. The bombings claimed the lives of 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 74,000 people in Nagasaki. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15, 1945. Many in Japan feel the attacks amount to war crimes and atrocities because they targeted civilians and due to the unprecedented destructive nature of the weapons. But many Americans believe they hastened the end of a bloody conflict, and ultimately saved lives, thus justifying the bombings. Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima in May last year, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb.

Hiroshima bombing: Japan marks 72nd anniversary of world's first nuclear attack