Nagasaki Mayor Urges Global Unity Against Nuclear Conflict on 80th Anniversary

Mon Oct 20 2025 12:34:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The mayor of Nagasaki, Shiro Suzuki, calls for an end to global conflicts as Japan commemorates the anniversary of the 1945 atomic bomb attack.

As the world reflects on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Mayor Shiro Suzuki highlights the escalating conflicts and the looming threat of nuclear war, advocating for peace and unity.

On the 80th anniversary of the devastating atom bomb attack on Nagasaki, Mayor Shiro Suzuki delivered a powerful Peace Declaration urging an end to ongoing global wars. This solemn ceremony highlighted the escalating tensions around the world, with Suzuki warning that continued hostilities could lead to nuclear conflict. On August 9, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on the city, resulting in an estimated 74,000 casualties, creating long-lasting suffering from radiation-related illnesses among survivors.

Just days before this commemorative event, the world marked the first atomic bombing in Hiroshima, which occurred on August 6, 1945, claiming around 140,000 lives. The Nagasaki bombing, which was more powerful and deadly, obliterated entire communities in seconds. The observance began with a moment of silence, and for the first time since the attack, the twin cathedral bells of Nagasaki rang as a message of peace.

Water offerings were made during the ceremony to remember the victims who, after the bomb exploded, desperately begged for water. Participants from various generations, including a survivor, symbolized respect for those who perished in the nuclear tragedy. Mayor Suzuki emphasized the importance of remembering this historical day and called for an immediate cessation of conflicts worldwide.

At 93, atomic bomb survivor Hiroshi Nishioka recounted the horrors he experienced, describing the suffering and death accompanying the invisible trauma left by the blast. Attendees expressed gratitude for the remembrance of victims, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the impact of these historic events on current society.

As current global conflicts such as the war between Russia and Ukraine and the ongoing tensions in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, the mayor's remarks find relevance. This year, Nagasaki extended invitations to Israel, Russia, and Belarus for the commemoration, prioritizing dialogue over exclusion.

Additionally, the international Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, effective since 2021, has been ratified by over 70 nations; however, nuclear powers remain opposed, arguing their arsenals are necessary for deterrence. Japan, relying on US nuclear capabilities for its security, has also resisted fully endorsing the treaty, indicating a complex interplay between historical remembrance and contemporary geopolitical realities.