Lest We Forget: Japan Marks Hiroshima Bombing Anniversary

Abolish nuclear weapons from arsenals throughout the world, say supporters of a nuke-free world.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers his speech at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park during the ceremony to mark the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, western Japan on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016. (Tsuyoshi Ueda/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan marked 71 years on Saturday since the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by a US atomic bomb, as its Mayor urged the world to unite in abolishing nuclear weapons.

A huge cloud above Hiroshima, a few hours after the initial explosion on Aug. 6, 1945. (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum/U.S. Army via AP) 

The annual ceremony came just months after Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit the western Japanese city, paying moving tribute to victims of the devastating bomb.

A woman lights a candle as she prays for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, early Saturday Aug. 6, 2016. Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (Tsuyoshi Ueda/Kyodo News via AP)

People pray for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday Aug. 6, 2016. Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (Keiji Uesho/Kyodo News via AP)

American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped its deadly payload, dubbed “Little Boy”, on Hiroshima at 8:15 am local time on August 6, 1945. Much of the city was incinerated by a wall of heat up to 4,000 C (7,232 F) – hot enough to melt steel – killing tens of thousands. About 50,000 participants, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and representatives of more than 90 countries and regions, observed a minute’s silence at the exact time the atrocity occurred some seven decades ago.

Sadly, Paul Tibbets, the man who piloted the Enola Gay on its mission to Japan, told The Telegraph (UK) that he has no regrets - and that he wouldn’t hesitate to use it again.

During the solemn ceremony, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui recalled the visit by Obama in his peace declaration, citing the president’s historic speech.

”(His visit) was the proof that Hiroshima’s strong wish not to tolerate the ‘absolute evil’ was shared by President Obama,” he said. The mayor urged the world to take action towards the abolition of “the ultimate form of inhumanity, united and with passion”. Obama in May embraced survivors as he made his visit to the city and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

71 years ago, death fell from the sky and the world was changed,” he said of the bomb, adding it “demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself

Kazumi Matsui, Hiroshima Mayor

Obama offered no apology for the bombings, having insisted he would not revisit decisions made by then president Harry Truman. But his moving tribute and brief conversations with elderly survivors, which included an unexpected embrace with one of them, profoundly impressed most Japanese.

Abe, after lying a wreath of flowers, reiterated Saturday that Tokyo will continue working to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

I am convinced (Obama’s visit) brought a great hope for people in Japan, in the world and in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who believe in a world without nuclear arms

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Prime Minister

The bombing claimed the lives of 140,000 people. Some died immediately while others succumbed to injuries or radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later.

A second bomb destroyed the city of Nagasaki three days later. Japan announced its surrender in World War II on August 15.

Also Watch: The Day Humanity Went Up in a Mushroom Cloud in Hiroshima