NAGASAKI – As Japan commemorates the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, the mayor of Nagasaki has issued a stark warning about the potential for nuclear conflict. On Saturday, approximately 2,600 people, including representatives from 90 countries, gathered at Nagasaki Peace Park for a memorial event. At 11:02 a.m., the exact moment the bomb detonated over the city, attendees observed a moment of silence.

Mayor Shiro Suzuki, whose parents survived the 1945 bombing, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the urgent need for global action against nuclear weapons. "Conflicts around the world are intensifying in a vicious cycle of confrontation and fragmentation," he stated. "If we continue on this trajectory, we will end up thrusting ourselves into a nuclear war. This existential crisis of humanity has become imminent to each and every one of us living on Earth."

The event coincided with the 11th General Conference of Mayors for Peace, an organization dedicated to abolishing nuclear weapons. Suzuki highlighted the importance of taking concrete steps toward this goal. "In order to make Nagasaki the last atomic bombing site, it is essential to show a specific course of action for achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons. Procrastination can no longer be tolerated," he said.

The mayor also pointed to the upcoming 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a pivotal moment for humanity. The NPT, which was opened for signature in 1968, is reviewed every five years by world leaders.

The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945, with the first hitting Hiroshima on August 6 and the second striking Nagasaki three days later. The bomb known as "Fat Man," which weighed 10,000 pounds, caused widespread destruction and loss of life. By the end of 1945, the death toll in Nagasaki from the bombing and subsequent radiation exposure reached approximately 70,000.

During the ceremony, Suzuki expressed condolences for the victims of the bombings. "I would like to express my deepest condolences for the lives claimed by the atomic bombings, and to all of the victims of war," he said. He reiterated Nagasaki's commitment to sharing the memories of the bombing as a common heritage for future generations.

The memorial also drew attention from young attendees. Daiji Kawanaka, a 14-year-old tourist from Osaka, shared his thoughts on the significance of the anniversary. "I truly believe a tragedy like this must never be repeated," he said, emphasizing the importance of discussions about peace among his peers.

Japan remains the only country to have experienced nuclear attacks and has expressed a commitment to nuclear disarmament. However, it is not a signatory or observer of the U.N. treaty aimed at banning nuclear weapons. The ongoing efforts of survivors, known as "hibakusha," continue to advocate for a world free of nuclear arms.