Hiroshima Officials Urge End to Nuclear Deterrence

Hiroshima officials marked the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing by urging world leaders to abandon reliance on nuclear weapons as deterrence and to take immediate action towards disarmament. Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki emphasized the pressing need for nuclear abolition, warning that the existence of such weapons poses an imminent risk to human survival, especially amid current global conflicts. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida echoed these sentiments, pledging Japan's leadership in international efforts for nuclear disarmament and advocating for a proposed Treaty on the Prohibition of Production of Fissile Materials. Kishida also highlighted the challenges posed by Russia's nuclear threats and the divided global stance on nuclear reduction, stating that Japan must persist in its mission for a nuclear-free world. At the memorial ceremony, approximately 50,000 attendees honored the victims of the bombings, reflecting on the enduring impact of nuclear warfare. The session concluded with calls for action to mitigate the risk of atomic war in an increasingly tense geopolitical climate.