**The mayor of Nagasaki, Shiro Suzuki, has highlighted the intensifying global conflicts and the looming threat of nuclear warfare during the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city.**
**Nagasaki Mayor Calls for Peace: A Solemn Reminder 80 Years After Atom Bombing**
**Nagasaki Mayor Calls for Peace: A Solemn Reminder 80 Years After Atom Bombing**
**Shiro Suzuki urges global unity against nuclear threats during poignant ceremonies.**
The mayor of Nagasaki, Shiro Suzuki, delivered a powerful message on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing that obliterated the city, emphasizing the urgent need for an end to global conflicts. In a Peace Declaration at a commemorative ceremony, he expressed concern over the escalating violence that could lead to nuclear war. "Conflicts around the world are intensifying in a vicious cycle of confrontation and fragmentation," Suzuki warned.
The tragic event on August 9, 1945, which played a crucial role in bringing World War II to a close, claimed an estimated 74,000 lives, leaving many survivors grappling with severe health issues decades after the attack. This remembrance follows the recent commemoration of the Hiroshima bombing on August 6, which resulted in approximately 140,000 deaths.
The solemn ceremony included moments of reflection, with the sound of Nagasaki's twin cathedral bells ringing together for the first time since the bombing, symbolizing a message of peace. Participants, encompassing various generations including a representative of the survivors, made water offerings as a significant gesture reflective of the victims' desperate pleas for water on that fateful day.
"On August 9, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on this city," Suzuki stated during his declaration. "Now, 80 years later, who could have possibly imagined that our world would become like this? It is time to immediately cease disputes marked by 'force met with force.'"
Survivor Hiroshi Nishioka, who was only three kilometers from the blast, shared chilling memories of the aftermath, where even those who appeared unharmed began experiencing devastating health issues. "Even though the war was over, the atomic bomb brought invisible terror," he recounted, highlighting the lasting impact of such violence.
Participants at the ceremony also expressed their gratitude for remembering the victims, underscoring the importance of recognizing these historical events as ongoing reminders of humanity’s struggles. Current global conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza region, still serve as stark reminders of the need for peaceful resolutions.
Previously controversial, Nagasaki has extended invitations to Israel, Russia, and Belarus for this year's commemoration—an effort to foster dialogue amidst turmoil. Despite the adoption of an international treaty aimed at banning nuclear weapons in 2021, nuclear powers continue to oppose it, citing their arsenals as vital deterrents. Japan, placed at the center of this painful history, maintains its reliance on US nuclear capabilities for national security.
