Nagasaki Marks Bombing Anniversary, Calls for Nuclear Abolition

Nagasaki marked the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing on Sunday, using the solemn occasion to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons. In a poignant address, Mayor Shiro Suzuki directly criticized nations that employ nuclear arms as a deterrent, stating, "Nuclear weapons are not a necessary evil but an absolute evil, and humanity and nuclear weapons can never coexist."

Suzuki implored the Japanese government to steadfastly adhere to the "three non-nuclear principles." These principles, established by a parliamentary resolution in 1971, stipulate that Japan will not possess, produce, or allow the introduction of nuclear weapons into the country. While Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi affirmed that her administration "defends" these principles, she offered no concrete assurances about their future adherence.

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Nuclear weapons are not a necessary evil but an absolute evil, and humanity and nuclear weapons can never coexist.

During the ceremony, a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres was read aloud. Guterres delivered a strong anti-war plea, advocating for diplomacy and urging global leaders to demonstrate "leadership" and "political will" to reduce nuclear risks and advance disarmament efforts. His message underscored the universal desire to escape the "permanent threat" that nuclear weapons represent.

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Humanity should not live under permanent threat.