• Hiroshima marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing by the US with calls for nuclear disarmament.
• Japanese leaders emphasize ongoing nuclear threats amid global militarization, particularly referencing the US and Russia.
• Survivors express concern that lessons from history are being disregarded as nuclear arsenals grow.
• A record 120 countries attended the commemoration, highlighting the global significance of the event.
• Hiroshima's mayor calls on leaders to visit and witness the consequences of nuclear weaponry firsthand.

On August 6, 2025, Hiroshima marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing that devastated the city, as officials and survivors gathered to remember the horrors unleashed on that day. Hiroshima's mayor, Kazumi Matsui, warned against the "accelerating trend toward military build-up" worldwide, noting the implications of ongoing global conflicts, particularly the situation involving Russia's invasion of Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, which reinforces the existence of nuclear arsenals, according to BBC, Reuters, and TRT.

The ceremony attracted about 55,000 attendees, including representatives from a record 120 countries. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated Japan's commitment to pursuing a world without nuclear weapons, reflecting a strong national sentiment, though he emphasized reliance on US nuclear deterrence. "When I visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, I renewed my resolve that these unbearable ordeals and memories should not be allowed to fade," Ishiba stated, according to AA and Reuters.

Before the official ceremony, many survivors, known as hibakusha, shared their experiences, advocating for disarmament initiatives in light of a rapidly declining survivor population. Minoru Suzuto, a 94-year-old survivor, lamented that "in 10 years or 20 years, there will be nobody left" to pass on the painful memories of the atomic bombing, highlighting the urgency of preserving these narratives for future generations. This sentiment was echoed by other survivors during their tributes, as they cautioned against historical amnesia regarding the consequences of nuclear warfare, according to HuffPost and Reuters.

The commemorative events included a silent prayer observed at 8:15 a.m., the exact time when the bomb was dropped, during which representatives from various nations took part in a moment of reflection. Mayor Matsui called for a renewal of the international dialogue surrounding disarmament, warning that current military strategies are counterproductive. "These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history," he stated, reflecting the overwhelming consensus among attendees regarding the need for peace, according to Channel News Asia and The Jakarta Post.

Moreover, Pope Leo XIV expressed that these anniversaries serve as a reminder of the destructive power of nuclear weapons and the need for ongoing efforts towards global peace. The United Nations Secretary-General echoed similar concerns in regard to the nuclear arms race and the potential catastrophic implications for humanity, urging world powers to heed the lessons of history and act decisively against militarization, as cited in statements made during the ceremony, according to Al Jazeera and NPR.