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

Japan is observing the 77th anniversary of world's first atomic bombing on this day in the year 1945 on the Japenese city of Hiroshima. 75,000 people died and an entire city obliterated. The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the 77th Anniversary warned of a new arms race following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

UN Chief calls for global nuclear disarmament on 77th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing

Japan marks Hiroshima bomb anniversary with low-key ceremonies

'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

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

Japan today marked 71 years since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons. 
 
The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the western Japanese city, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb. 
 
American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed &quot;Little Boy&quot;, on Hiroshima at 8:15 am local time on August 6, 1945.&nbsp; 
 
Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) -- hot enough to melt steel -- killing tens of thousands. 
 
About 50,000 participants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and representatives of more than 90 countries and regions, observed a minute`s silence at the exact time the atrocity occurred some seven decades ago. 
 
During the solemn ceremony, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration, citing the president&#39;s historic speech. 
 
&quot;(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshima`s strong wish not to tolerate the &#39;absolute evil&#39; was shared by President Obama,&quot; he said. 
 
The mayor urged the world to take action towards the abolition of &quot;the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his visit to the city and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. 
 
&quot;Seventy-one years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed,&quot; he said of the bomb, adding it &quot;demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself&quot;. 
 
Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman. 
 
But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese. 
 
Abe, after lying a wreath of flowers, reiterated Saturday that Tokyo will continue working to rid the world of nuclear weapons. 
 
&quot;I am convinced (Obama`s visit) brought a great hope for people in Japan, in the world and in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who believe in a world without nuclear arms,&quot; he said. 
 
The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later. 
 
A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15. 
 
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. 
 
Since Obama went to Hiroshima, the park and accompanying memorial museum have witnessed an increase in visitors. 
 
But an association of atomic bomb survivors has criticised his speech, saying he failed to explicitly mention US responsibility for the bombing. 
 
Abe last year faced harsh criticism, especially from A-bomb survivors, for his policy of expanding the role of Japan`s military and opening the door to possibly sending troops into combat for the first time since the war. 
 
In his latest cabinet reshuffle, Abe appointed nationalist confidante Tomomi Inada as defence minister. 
 
(AFP)

American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped deadly payload, 'Little Boy', on Hiroshima at 8.15 am on August 6, 1945 that killed 140,000

Japan today marked 71 years since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons. The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the western Japanese city, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb. American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed "Little Boy", on Hiroshima at 8:15 am local time on August 6, 1945. Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) -- hot enough to melt steel -- killing tens of thousands. About 50,000 participants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and representatives of more than 90 countries and regions, observed a minute`s silence at the exact time the atrocity occurred some seven decades ago. During the solemn ceremony, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration, citing the president's historic speech. "(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshima`s strong wish not to tolerate the 'absolute evil' was shared by President Obama," he said. The mayor urged the world to take action towards the abolition of "the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion". Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his visit to the city and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. "Seventy-one years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed," he said of the bomb, adding it "demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself". Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman. But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese. Abe, after lying a wreath of flowers, reiterated Saturday that Tokyo will continue working to rid the world of nuclear weapons. "I am convinced (Obama`s visit) brought a great hope for people in Japan, in the world and in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who believe in a world without nuclear arms," he said. The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later. A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15. 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. Since Obama went to Hiroshima, the park and accompanying memorial museum have witnessed an increase in visitors. But an association of atomic bomb survivors has criticised his speech, saying he failed to explicitly mention US responsibility for the bombing. Abe last year faced harsh criticism, especially from A-bomb survivors, for his policy of expanding the role of Japan`s military and opening the door to possibly sending troops into combat for the first time since the war. In his latest cabinet reshuffle, Abe appointed nationalist confidante Tomomi Inada as defence minister. (AFP)

Japan marks 71 years of Hiroshima bombing

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