Hiroshima blast remembered
Japan marks 71st anniversary of nuclear strike killing 140,000
HIROSHIMA, Japan — Hiroshima marked the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city on Saturday with a ceremony attended by about 50,000 people.
The attendees mourned the atomic bomb victims and renewed their pledge for peace in a memorial ceremony held at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
In the peace declaration, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui called for action toward the complete abolition of nuclear weapons and international cooperation, quoting from the statement made by U.S. President Barack Obama when he became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima in May.
In addition to survivors and representatives of the families of victims from each prefecture, the ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, representatives from 91 countries and a European Union delegation. It was the second largest number, following the 100 countries last year that marked the 70th anniversary.
As nuclear power states, representatives from the United States, Britain, France and Russia attended. From the United States, Robert Rapson, minister in charge of political affairs, attended as charge d’affaires.
At 8:15 a.m., the time the atomic bomb was dropped, representatives of families of the deceased and others rang the Hiroshima Peace Bell, and attendees offered silent prayers.
In his peace declaration, Matsui quoted a passage from Obama’s remarks, saying that “among those nations ... that hold nuclear stockpiles, we must have the courage to escape the logic of fear, and pursue a world without them.”