Japan on Monday solemnly marked the 62nd anniversary of the atomic attack on Hiroshima, with the mayor criticizing the United States for not abolishing its nuclear weapons program.
Tens of thousands of survivors, children, and dignitaries gathered at the Peace Memorial Park, near the site of the atomic bomb’s impact, paying tribute to more than 250,000 people who died from the explosion. "Even for those who survived, it was a true hell," said Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba to the assembled crowd, describing scenes after the nuclear explosion, such as charred heads and torn clothing. In a speech that followed the release of 1,000 white doves, Akiba accused the United States of failing to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
"The Japanese government, which has an obligation to work towards the prohibition of nuclear weapons through international law, should protect its pacifist constitution of which it should be proud, and clearly say ‘no’ to outdated and erroneous American policy," said Akiba. The gathered citizens bowed their heads for a minute of silence, while two children rang the Peace Bell at 8:15 AM local time, the moment when the Enola Gay B-29 bomber dropped the bomb on that city in western Japan on August 6, 1945. The U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on August 9 on the city of Nagasaki in the south of the country. Six days later, Japan capitulated. (H)
