Hiroshima marks 75 years of atomic bomb attack

This year's ceremony scaled back due to anti-coronavirus measures

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Bells tolled in Hiroshima on Thursday (August 6) for the 75th anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing, with ceremonies downsized due to the coronavirus.
Though thousands usually pack Hiroshima's Peace Park on Aug 6 to pray and offer paper cranes as a symbol of peace, entry this year was limited and only survivors and their families could attend the memorial. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE An elderly woman (above) o
An elderly woman (above) offering flowers before praying for victims of the 1945 bombing in front of the park’s cenotaph at yesterday’s ceremony. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also offered a wreath for the victims. He said Japan would “work as a bridge between nations” to abolish nuclear weapons. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE

TOKYO • Bells tolled in Hiroshima yesterday for the 75th anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing, with ceremonies downsized due to the coronavirus outbreak and the city's mayor urging nations to reject selfish nationalism and unite to fight all threats.

Though thousands usually pack the Peace Park in the centre of the Japanese city to pray, sing and offer paper cranes as a symbol of peace, entrance this year was limited and only survivors and their families could attend the memorial.

The city said the significance of the anniversary of the bombing that killed 140,000 people before the end of 1945 had prompted its decision to hold the ceremony despite the spread of the virus, but taking strict precautions.

"On Aug 6, 1945, a single atomic bomb destroyed our city. Rumour at the time had it that 'nothing will grow here for 75 years'," said Mayor Kazumi Matsui.

"And yet, Hiroshima recovered, becoming a symbol of peace."

At 8:15am on Aug 6, 1945, the US B-29 warplane Enola Gay dropped a bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" and obliterated the city with an estimated population of 350,000. Thousands more died later from their injuries and radiation-related illnesses.

Yesterday morning, as cicadas shrilled in the heavy summer heat and the Peace Bell sounded, the crowd stood to observe a moment of silence at the exact time that the bomb exploded.

"When the 1918 flu pandemic attacked a century ago, it took tens of millions of lives and terrorised the world because nations fighting World War I were unable to meet the threat together," Mr Matsui said. "A subsequent upsurge in nationalism led to World War II and the atomic bombings. We must never allow this painful past to repeat itself. Civil society must reject self-centred nationalism and unite against all threats."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the memorial as usual, but the number of foreign visitors was down. Overall attendance was less than a tenth of the usual figure, with chairs spaced far apart and most people wearing masks.

Mr Matsui also urged Tokyo to ratify a 2017 United Nations pact banning nuclear arms, but Mr Abe avoided any direct reference, saying Japan would "work as a bridge between nations" to abolish nuclear weapons.

Ms Keiko Ogura, who was eight when the explosion from the bomb knocked her off her feet, has dedicated her life to working for peace.

Though thousands usually pack Hiroshima's Peace Park on Aug 6 to pray and offer paper cranes as a symbol of peace, entry this year was limited and only survivors and their families could attend the memorial. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE An elderly woman (above) o
Though thousands usually pack Hiroshima's Peace Park on Aug 6 to pray and offer paper cranes as a symbol of peace, entry this year was limited and only survivors and their families could attend the memorial. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE

"The nuclear danger is spreading around the world, and under that mushroom cloud, no one can escape," she told a recent news conference.

The anniversary was a top trending topic on Japanese Twitter, with most users offering prayers for world peace, although one drew a parallel with the huge blast on Tuesday that killed at least 135 in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

"I really hadn't been able to imagine it before, but looking at the damage from the Beirut explosion and imagining something several times more powerful, I was struck with a huge sense of fear," wrote the commenter, identified as Sato-san.

After Hiroshima, another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on Aug 9. More than 75,000 people were killed instantly.

Japan surrendered six days later, ending World War II.

Though thousands usually pack Hiroshima's Peace Park on Aug 6 to pray and offer paper cranes as a symbol of peace, entry this year was limited and only survivors and their families could attend the memorial. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE An elderly woman (above) o
An elderly woman offering flowers before praying for victims of the 1945 bombing in front of the park's cenotaph at yesterday's ceremony. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (above) also offered a wreath for the victims. He said Japan would "work as a bridge between nations" to abolish nuclear weapons. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 07, 2020, with the headline Hiroshima marks 75 years of atomic bomb attack. Subscribe