The Japanese city of Hiroshima commemorated the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings on Wednesday, as global nuclear fears mount amid ongoing military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The solemn ritual marks the precise moment Aug. 6, 1945, when the US bomber Enola Gay dropped the world’s first atomic bomb over Hiroshima, killing around 70,000 people instantly.
The city remembered the devastating attack with a one-minute silent tribute, recalling the widescale death and destruction caused by the 10,000-pound bomb. Survivors of the bombing, now in their 80s and 90s, shared their personal experiences of that fateful day.
“I didn’t really understand what it meant to die,” said Teruko Yahata, who was 8 years old at the time. “But the warmth I felt at us dying together… I still remember to this day.”
The bombings also led to a global reevaluation of nuclear warfare, with the work of Japanese survivors’ group Nihon Hidankyo being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year. The group advocates for nuclear disarmament and ensuring that Hiroshima’s memory is not forgotten.
According to a recent poll, nearly 70% of Japan’s atomic bomb survivors believe nuclear weapons could be used again. Meanwhile, global nuclear spending increased by 11% in 2023, with the world’s nine nuclear-armed states spending over $100 billion on nuclear weapons last year.
As the number of hibakusha (bomb affected persons) dwindles, concerns arise about living memory of the bombings being lost. Young people like 12-year-old Shun Sasaki are taking up the responsibility to remember and share their family’s experiences, ensuring that future generations do not forget the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare.
The event highlights the ongoing relevance of Hiroshima’s experience as a cautionary tale for global leaders and citizens alike, emphasizing the need for diplomacy over nuclear arms.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/80-years-later-hiroshima-bombing-survivors-warn-new-nuclear-warfare-rcna220177