Hiroshima: On August 6, 2025, Hiroshima commemorated the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing with a solemn ceremony that brought together representatives from over 120 countries and territories. Held at the Peace Memorial Park at exactly 8:15 a.m. – the time when the bomb detonated in 1945 – the event served as both a remembrance and a warning to the world.

Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui delivered a powerful address urging world leaders to confront the dangers of nuclear proliferation. He warned that nuclear weapons are becoming increasingly normalized in international discourse and called on political leaders, especially those from nuclear-armed states, to visit Hiroshima and witness firsthand the devastating legacy of atomic warfare.

The mayor highlighted the alarming reality that the United States and Russia still possess approximately 90 percent of the world’s nuclear arsenal. He emphasized that the continued reliance on nuclear deterrence undermines global security and weakens the lessons learned from the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

This year’s ceremony was particularly significant due to the dwindling number of hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors. For the first time, the number of officially registered survivors in Japan has dropped below 100,000, with the average age now exceeding 85. Many survivors have passed away, and others remain silent about their experiences due to trauma or fear of stigma. To ensure their stories are preserved, younger generations are stepping up as certified “memory keepers” and “family successors,” dedicated to conveying survivor accounts to future generations.

Since 2012, Hiroshima has trained volunteers to become official storytellers, educating audiences both in Japan and abroad. Among them is Keiko Aoki, who has spoken to over 9,000 people about the testimony of survivors such as Yoshiko Kajimoto, now 93 years old. These memory keepers are playing an increasingly vital role in preserving the human impact of the bomb.

The ceremony also honored the work of Nihon Hidankyo, the national organization of atomic and hydrogen bomb survivors, which was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its ongoing campaign for global nuclear disarmament. However, Japan’s own position remains controversial. Although the country advocates for peace, it has not signed the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, citing its dependence on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. This has drawn criticism from survivors and peace activists who view the treaty as essential to preventing future use of atomic arms.

The anniversary comes at a time of heightened global nuclear tensions. Conflicts in Eastern Europe, nuclear advancements in East Asia, and deteriorating arms control agreements have fueled fears of a new arms race. Experts warn that while discussions about tactical or limited nuclear war have gained ground, the reality remains that any use of such weapons would likely lead to uncontrollable escalation and catastrophic humanitarian consequences.

As the world reflects on the legacy of Hiroshima eight decades later, the city’s message is clear: nuclear weapons must never be used again. With the voices of survivors fading, it is now up to new generations to carry forward the call for peace and to ensure that the lessons of August 6, 1945, are never forgotten.