Nagasaki Marks 81st Atomic Bomb Anniversary As Mayor Says Nuclear Deterrence Only Increases Risk

Nagasaki commemorated the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing on August 9, 1945, with ceremonies held at the city's Peace Park. Mayor Shiro Suzuki condemned nuclear deterrence as an "absolute evil," warning that reliance on such strategies heightens the risk of nuclear conflict. His remarks came amid speculation that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi might relax the nation’s strict non-nuclear policies, which prohibit the possession, development, and introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan. The commemoration took place on Sunday, with representatives from over 90 countries attending the ceremony. At 11:02 a.m., participants observed a moment of silence marking the time when a B-29 Superfortress dropped the plutonium-based "Fat Man" bomb on Nagasaki. The attack killed approximately 70,000 people by the end of 1945, following the earlier bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, which claimed around 140,000 lives. Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945, ended World War II and halted decades of imperial expansion across Asia. Mayor Suzuki used the occasion to call on the Japanese government to reaffirm its adherence to the three postwar non-nuclear principles. These include not possessing, developing, or allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan. He specifically criticized the current administration for its perceived ambiguity regarding these principles, particularly given recent revisions to Japan’s defense policy aimed at enhancing the military’s offensive capabilities. Suzuki argued that nuclear deterrence was inherently unstable and dangerous, emphasizing that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki proved how easily humanity could cross ethical boundaries. Prime Minister Takaichi attended the ceremony and reiterated her stance of pursuing a "realistic and pragmatic approach" toward global nuclear disarmament. However, she avoided directly addressing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which Japan has not signed due to its reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for security. In a press briefing afterward, Takaichi stated that Japan would continue working within the framework of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, making decisions based on what best serves national security and advances nuclear disarmament goals. Survivors of the atomic bombings, known as hibakusha, voiced concerns over the government’s apparent shift toward supporting nuclear deterrence. Many expressed frustration, arguing that the administration’s position contradicted the values of peace and non-violence upheld by the hibakusha community. With the number of survivors now standing at 91,105, about a quarter of the original count, many fear that the collective memory of the bombings is fading. The average age of survivors exceeds 86, and the youngest among them often lack clear recollections of the attacks. The tensions surrounding Japan’s nuclear policy have led to increased public demonstrations by hibakusha in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Protesters demand that the government remain committed to its non-nuclear principles and actively participate in international efforts to ban nuclear weapons. Their calls echo through the streets, reflecting deep unease about the direction of Japan’s security strategy. As the anniversary of the bombings passed, the contrast between historical trauma and contemporary geopolitical shifts became evident. While the world continues to grapple with the legacy of nuclear warfare, the voices of those who endured its horrors remain steadfast in their plea for a future free of such weapons. The debate over Japan’s role in global nuclear politics shows no signs of abating, with the coming months likely to bring further developments as the government weighs its options in light of evolving security challenges.