広島ひろしまで平和へいわ記念きねん式典しきてん 原爆げんばく投下とうかから80年はちじゅうねん 核兵器かくへいき廃絶はいぜつへの思おもい訴うったえ

Its been 80 years in six days since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

In the Peace Declaration at the Peace Memorial Ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Matsui stated, The growing notion in various countries that it is inevitable to possess nuclear weapons to protect ones own nation nullifies the lessons learned from our tragic history, and called for making the desire for the abolition of nuclear weapons a consensus within civil society.

At the Peace Memorial Ceremony held at Hiroshima Peace Park from 8 a.m., approximately 55,000 people attended, including atomic bomb survivors, representatives of bereaved families, Prime Minister Ishiba, and ambassadors from 120 countries and regions—the highest number ever.

At the ceremony, the register of atomic bomb victims, which now includes the names of 4,940 people who were exposed to the bomb in Hiroshima and have died or been confirmed dead in the past year, was placed in the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, bringing the total to 349,246 names.

And at 8:15 a.m., the time when the atomic bomb was dropped, all those in attendance observed a moment of silence.

In the international community, the situation surrounding nuclear weapons is becoming increasingly severe, with repeated threats from nuclear-armed countries and moves to strengthen nuclear deterrence.

Hiroshima Mayor Matsui expressed concern in his Peace Declaration, stating, Movements to increase armaments are accelerating around the world, and among the leaders of various countries, the idea that possessing nuclear weapons is unavoidable in order to protect ones own country is becoming stronger. However, such a situation not only nullifies the lessons learned from the tragic history of the past by the international community, but also greatly shakes the frameworks for peacebuilding that have been established so far.

And we must make the desire for the abolition of nuclear weapons a consensus within civil society.

He appealed that if the culture of peace created by the hibakusha and those who came before us spreads beyond national borders, it will surely encourage policymakers who rely on nuclear deterrence to change their policies. He also called on the Japanese government to participate as an observer in next years review conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Prime Minister Ishiba stated in his address, While firmly upholding the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, it is our nations mission as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war to lead the international communitys efforts toward a world without nuclear weapons. However, he did not mention the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Also, there are fewer and fewer opportunities for us to hear directly from atomic bomb survivors, who share with us memories that are truly painful and that they would rather not recall.

We have a mission to pass on the voices of the atomic bomb survivors to the next generation, and expressed a Pledge for Peace.

The average age of atomic bomb survivors has surpassed 86 this year, and for the first time, the number has fallen below 100,000, making it increasingly difficult to hear firsthand accounts of their experiences.

For the first time in human history, Hiroshima experienced the devastation of nuclear weapons. While mourning the victims, we once again strongly appeal both domestically and internationally for the abolition of nuclear weapons, as the survivors have consistently called for over the years.

He stated, We must never repeat such a tragedy.

He emphasized that it is Japans mission, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war, to take the lead in international efforts while firmly maintaining the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

And, keeping in mind the situation in the Middle East regarding Irans nuclear development, he said, The division within the international community over nuclear disarmament is deepening, and the security environment is becoming increasingly severe.

We will make every effort under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty NPT to realize a world without nuclear war and a world without nuclear weapons, he said.

In addition, it was noted that it is extremely significant that last year, Nihon Hidankyo—the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations—was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The average age of atomic bomb survivors has now exceeded 86, and most of the population belongs to generations who have no experience of war.

We must never let these unbearable experiences and memories fade away, but instead pass them down from generation to generation, he appealed.

Taking into account that 30 years have passed since the enforcement of the Act on Relief for Atomic Bomb Survivors, he expressed the intention to promote comprehensive support measures while being attentive to the aging survivors, such as conducting the certification process for atomic bomb-related illnesses as quickly as possible.

In addition to protecting the nations own security, I would also like the government, as the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, to make diplomatic efforts toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, he said.

On top of that, On the occasion of the 80th anniversary since the end of the war, as Prime Minister, I should issue a message.

I hope that it will include reflections on the past, aspirations for ultimate and lasting peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons, and a determination to defend our own country ourselves, he said.

He stated, It is becoming increasingly important for Japan to convey the reality of the atomic bombings to the world and to play a role in bridging nuclear and non-nuclear states.

On top of that, Mayor Matsui of Hiroshima called on the government to participate as an observer in next years review conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, but it was very disappointing that Prime Minister Ishiba did not take the initiative to make a statement.

As the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war, Japan should further advance its role, and the Democratic Party for the People also wants to actively fulfill that role, he said.

Approximately 7,000 seats have been set up in Peace Park, the venue for the ceremony, for atomic bomb survivors, bereaved families, and general attendees. In addition, many police officers are on alert in the surrounding area, and baggage inspections are being conducted at the entrance.

Last year, attendees had to wait for a long time under the scorching sun, and there were cases where elderly atomic bomb survivors gave up entering. Therefore, for the first time, the city of Hiroshima set up five priority entrances for atomic bomb survivors, bereaved families, as well as elderly and disabled people.

When admission began at 6 a.m., the atomic bomb survivors and bereaved families went through the baggage check and entered the venue with almost no waiting.

An 82-year-old male atomic bomb survivor said, Last year, there was already a huge line at 6 a.m., and I ended up waiting for about one to two hours, drenched in sweat.

It was tough for the elderly and atomic bomb survivors, so Im glad it has improved, they said.

It is expected that the temperature will rise during the day around the venue on the 6th, so, as with last year, the city has installed mist-spraying devices, is lending out wet towels, and has increased the number of water stations to two as measures against the heat.