Survivors mark 75 years since Hiroshima

● Surge of Covid cases sees smaller turnout amid plea for nuclear ban

Survivors of the world’s first atomic bombing gathered in diminished numbers near a blasted dome to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack.

A surge of coronavirus cases in Japan meant a much smaller than normal turnout yesterday - but the survivors’ message for their own government and others to do more to ban nuclear weapons was more urgent than ever.

As their numbers dwindle their average age is about 83 many nations have bolstered or maintained their nuclear arsenals, and their own government refuses to sign a nuclear weapons ban treaty.

Amid cries of Japanese government hypocrisy, survivors, their relatives and officials marked the 8:15am blast anniversary with a minute of silence.

The US dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, destroying the city and killing 140,000 people.

It dropped a second bomb three days later on Nagasaki, killing another 70,000.

Japan surrendered on 15

August, ending the Second World War and its nearly halfcentury of aggression in Asia.

Amid the solemn remembrances at Hiroshima’s peace park, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was confronted by six members of survivors’ groups.

“Could you please respond to our request to sign the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty?” Tomoyuki Mimaki, a member of a major survivors’ group, Hidankyo, implored him.

“The milestone 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing is a chance to change course.”

Mr Abe insisted on Japan’s policy not to sign the treaty, citing a “different approach”, though he added the government shares the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons.

Even though Tokyo renounces its own possession, production or hosting of nuclear weapons, Japan is a top US ally, hosts 50,000 American troops and is protected by the US nuclear umbrella.

This complicates the push to get Tokyo to sign the treaty adopted in 2017, especially as it steps up its military role amid North Korea’s continuing pursuit of a stronger nuclear programme.

Mr Abe, in his speech at the ceremony, said a nuclear-free world cannot be achieved overnight and it has to start with dialogue.

“Japan’s position is to serve as a bridge between different sides and patiently promote their dialogue and actions to achieve a world without nuclear weapons,” he said.

Earlier, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui urged world leaders to more seriously commit to nuclear disarmament.

Yesterday’s peace ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was scaled down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The fewer than 1,000 attendees was one-tenth of those attending in past years. Some survivors and their relatives prayed at the park’s cenotaph before the ceremony.

“The only way to totally eliminate nuclear risk is to totally eliminate nuclear weapons,” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said in a video message from New York.

His expected visit to Hiroshima had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus.

The bombing’s survivors lamented the slow progress of nuclear disarmament and expressed anger over what they said was the Japanese government’s reluctance to help and listen to those who suffered.

“Japan’s position is to serve as a bridge between different sides and promote their actions to achieve a world without nuclear weapons”

SHINZO ABE