Friday was the 76th anniversary in Hiroshima of the first atomic bombing. The mayor of Hiroshima urged world leaders to come together to eradicate nuclear weapons.
Mayor Kazumi Matsui asked world leaders to take nuclear disarmament seriously, as well as tackling a pandemic the international community considers a “threat to humankind.”
Matsui stated that nuclear weapons were developed to win wars. However, they pose a threat to total annihilation and can be ended if all countries work together. These weapons are constantly poised to inflict mass slaughter and make it impossible for society to be sustainable.
On Aug. 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb in the world on Hiroshima. It destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. Three days later, it dropped another bomb on Nagasaki killing another 70,000. Japan surrendered to the United States on Aug. 15, ending World War II.
However, nuclear weapons were still held by countries during the Cold War. A standoff continues today.
After years of civil effort, the global Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons came into effect in January. Although the treaty has been ratified by more than 50 countries, it does not include the U.S. or other nuclear powers, nor Japan. Japan had relied on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for its defense since the end of the war.
Matsui reiterated his demand that Japan’s government sign and ratify this treaty immediately and participate in the discussion to fulfill the long-held wish of survivors of the atomic bombing. Matsui also requested that Japan act as a mediator between non-nuclear and nuclear weapons states.
Yoshihide, the Prime Minister of Japan, attended the ceremony in Hiroshima. He did not mention the treaty, but instead stressed the need to take a more realistic approach to bridging the nuclear and nonnuclear weapon states, and strengthening the NPT. Suga later stated that he did not intend to sign the treaty at a news conference.
Suga stated that the treaty does not have the support of nuclear weapons states, including the United States, but also many other countries without nuclear arms. “It’s best to find a way to promote nuclear disarmament realistically.”
Suga also expressed regret for missing parts of his speech, including the pledge to continue efforts towards a nuclear-free planet as the head of the only country in the world to have been subject to atomic attacks and fully conscious of its inhumanity.
Many bombing survivors suffered long-term injuries and illnesses from radiation exposure. They also faced discrimination in Japanese society.
After more than 20 years of efforts by survivors, the government began to provide medical support for certified survivors in 1968.
According to the health and welfare ministry, March saw 127,755 survivors who are now nearly 84 years old and have been certified hibakusha. They are eligible for government medical assistance.
Suga announced that the government would extend medical benefits to 84 Hiroshima survivors, who were denied aid for being outside a pre-established boundary. After the bombing, the victims were exposed to radioactive black rain. They fought long legal battles to have their health problems recognized.
Matsui asked Suga’s government for more support and to provide generous assistance as quickly as possible to all people still suffering from the radiation effects, even those who are not covered by the lawsuit.
Thursday’s ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was reduced by the coronavirus pandemic. It was also overshadowed by the Olympics in Tokyo. Even NHK quickly switched to the Olympics after the main speeches.
