Hiroshima Marks 80 Years Since Atomic Bombing, Reflects on Legacy and Calls for Nuclear Disarmament
On August 6, 2025, Hiroshima solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city during World War II. The attack, carried out by the United States on August 6, 1945, obliterated much of Hiroshima and resulted in an estimated 140,000 deaths by the end of that year. Thousands gathered at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to honor the victims and survivors while renewing calls for nuclear disarmament amid rising global tensions related to nuclear arms.
The ceremony began with a minute of silence precisely at 8:15 a.m., the exact time the atomic bomb detonated over the city. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Hiroshima City Mayor Kazumi Matsui, and representatives from 120 countries and regions participated in the memorial event. Mayor Matsui emphasized the enduring lessons of the bombing: “Today, conveying the ardent pleas for peace derived from hibakusha [atomic bomb survivors] experiences is more crucial than ever. We must all remember to think less about ourselves and more about each other.”
Survivors, known as hibakusha, reflected on the tragic legacy as their numbers dwindle, with an average age surpassing 86. Many voiced frustration at the paradoxical global environment where nuclear weapons remain widely regarded as necessary deterrents. Yosuke Umemoto, a 79-year-old former educator who was exposed to radiation in utero, lamented, “We don’t have time left while nuclear threats grow. We must rid the world of these weapons.”
The Japanese government, despite its unique experience as the only nation targeted by nuclear attacks, has so far refrained from joining the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, citing its reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for defense. This stance remains a point of contention among survivors and activists pressing for nuclear abolition.
International figures also took note of the anniversary’s significance. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted Hiroshima as “a universal warning against the devastation caused by war—and particularly by nuclear weapons.” Similarly, Pope Leo XIV, closing his General Audience on August 6, called for justice to replace “a false sense of security” rooted in threats of mutual destruction.
The anniversary arrives at a time when Japan’s postwar identity is evolving amid heightened regional security concerns, including missile tests by North Korea and assertive military posturing by neighboring China. These developments challenge Japan’s pacifist constitution and complicate nuclear disarmament dialogues.
American perspectives on the bombing have also evolved. A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed that U.S. public opinion remains divided on the justification of the atomic bombings, with about one-third supporting, one-third opposing, and others uncertain. The debate continues around the morality and necessity of the attack that contributed to ending World War II but at an immense human cost.
Eyewitness accounts from survivors remain poignant. Kiko Agura, now 88 and only 8 years old at the time of the bombing, recounted the moment vividly: “I remember the flash first. There was bright flash, wind like a typhoon, and then darkness and silence.” Her testimony and those of others help humanize the devastating impact.
In summary, Hiroshima’s 80th-anniversary commemoration united local citizens, survivors, world leaders, and international observers in remembrance and reflection. The event reinforced urgent calls to prevent nuclear war through disarmament, peace advocacy, and diplomatic efforts. Looking ahead, key steps include bolstering global treaties, fostering dialogue among nuclear states, and educating new generations about the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons.
