NAGASAKI – Nagasaki commemorates the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing, with survivors striving to ensure their city is the final place ever struck by such a weapon.
Even as they endure pain from injuries, discrimination, and radiation-related illnesses, survivors have pledged to the common aim of eliminating nuclear arms. Lately, however, they are concerned about global trends moving contrary to their aspirations as the anniversary is observed on Saturday.
The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, resulting in 70,000 deaths, a few days after Hiroshima experienced 140,000 fatalities. This led to Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945, marking the end of World War II and the cessation of Japan’s aggressive actions in Asia over several decades.
Older survivors and their allies in Nagasaki are now urging younger generations to continue the push for nuclear disarmament, emphasizing that the bombing is not just history but a crucial issue for their future.
Teruko Yokoyama, an 83-year-old from a Nagasaki support group for survivors, expresses a deep longing for those she has worked with and is motivated to preserve the stories of the remaining survivors.
Currently, the number of survivors has dwindled to 99,130, about 25% of the initial count, with their average age now over 86. There is unease about the memories fading, as many of the youngest survivors were too small at the time of the attack to recall the events clearly.
“We must keep records of the atomic bombing damages of the survivors and thier lifetime story,” said Yokoyama, whose two sisters died after suffering illnesses linked to radiation.
Her organization has started to digitalize the narratives of survivors for viewing on YouTube and other social media platforms with the help of a new generation.
“There are younger people who are beginning to take action,” Yokoyama told The Associated Press on Friday. “So I think we don’t have to get depressed yet.”
On Saturday at 11:02 a.m., the moment the plutonium bomb exploded above Nagasaki, participants are to set to observe a moment of silence as a peace bell rings.
About 3,000 people, including representatives from 95 countries, were expected to attend the event at Nagasaki Peace Park, where Mayor Shiro Suzuki and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba were scheduled to speak.
Survivors and their families started paying tribute at the park hours before the official ceremony.
The twin bells at Urakami Cathedral, which was destroyed in the bombing, are to ring together again for the first time. One of the bells had gone missing afer the attack but was restored by volunteers.
Nagasaki invited representatives from all countries to attend the ceremony on Saturday. China notably notified the city it would not be present without providing a reason.
The ceremony last year stirred controversy due to the absence of the U.S. ambassador and other Western envoys in response to the Japanese city’s refusal to invite Israel.
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Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo.
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