The article discusses the annual Nagasaki Peace Declaration, which commemorates the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945. This year’s event is particularly significant as it marks the 77th anniversary of the bombing and comes at a time when international conflicts are escalating.
The article mentions that over 70 countries have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which came into effect in 2021. However, nuclear powers such as the United States have opposed this treaty, arguing that their nuclear arsenals serve as a deterrent to other nations.
The mayor of Nagasaki has invited Israel, Russia, and Belarus to attend the commemoration event, despite controversy surrounding Israel’s participation last year. The article notes that Japan has rejected the ban on nuclear weapons, citing its security reliance on US nuclear capabilities.
A Nagasaki resident, Atsuko Higuchi, is quoted as saying that it “made her happy” that the city’s victims were being remembered and emphasized the importance of remembering these events as real historical events.