On August 9, 2025, Nagasaki solemnly marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing with a memorial ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park. Attendees—including representatives from 95 countries and territories—observed a moment of silence at 11:02 a.m., the exact moment when the “Fat Man” plutonium bomb devastated the city in 1945, instantly killing thousands.
A Stark Warning from Nagasaki’s Mayor
Mayor Shiro Suzuki issued a stark warning to the world: escalating global tensions and unresolved conflicts could soon precipitate another devastating nuclear war. He exhorted world leaders to recommit to realising the principles of the U.N. Charter and to take concrete steps to eliminate nuclear weapons, underscoring that postponement “is no longer permissible”.
Invoking a survivor’s haunting firsthand testimony—“bodies were strewn about like stones,” some with “eyeballs popped out”—Suzuki pressed for a renewed sense of global citizenship, rooted in solidarity and mutual understanding.
Voices of Youth and Legacy of the Hibakusha
Amid the veterans, voices of the younger generation echoed the mayor’s pleas. A 14-year-old attendee from Osaka urged peers to uphold peace, insisting, “This kind of tragedy must never be repeated.”
The ceremony also honoured Nihon Hidankyo, the A-bomb survivor organization, which last year received the Nobel Peace Prize for its enduring advocacy for nuclear disarmament.
Japan’s Non-Nuclear Pledge—and Its Limits
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, present at the memorial, reaffirmed Japan’s steadfast adherence to its three non-nuclear principles: not possessing, not producing, and not permitting nuclear weapons. He pledged continued leadership in global disarmament efforts.
At the same time, both survivors (hibakusha) and international advocates noted that Japan has yet to sign the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, citing its strategic reliance on the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
Legacy and Urgency: Nagasaki’s Message to the World
As Nagasaki commemorates eight decades since unimaginable devastation, the mayor’s warning resonates with renewed urgency. The dwindling number of survivors and the persistence of geopolitical hostilities underscore the message: history must not repeat itself, and collective, immediate action toward nuclear abolition is critical.
