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Published Aug 9, 2026Updated Aug 9 Major3
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Nagasaki marks 81st A-bomb anniversary, urges nuclear disarmament
Nagasaki marked the 81st anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombing on August 9, with Mayor Shiro Suzuki calling nuclear weapons an "absolute evil" and urging nuclear-armed states to pursue disarmament. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed Japan's non-nuclear principles and commitment to a nuclear-free world, while U.N. officials warned of rising nuclear risks amid global conflicts.
Quick Facts
- 81st anniversary commemoration of Nagasaki atomic bombing
- Peace Declaration delivered by Mayor Suzuki
- Moment of silence at 11:02 a.m. (time of detonation)
- Nuclear weapons described as 'absolute evil'
- Calls for Japanese government to attend Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty review conference
Nagasaki commemorated the 81st anniversary of the August 9, 1945 atomic bombing on Sunday with a memorial ceremony at Peace Park. At 11:02 a.m., the moment the plutonium device "Fat Man" was detonated over the city, attendees observed a moment of silence. Mayor Shiro Suzuki delivered a Peace Declaration calling nuclear weapons an "absolute evil" rather than a "necessary evil," stating they can never coexist with humanity. He warned of increased risks of nuclear war as more than 12,000 nuclear warheads remain globally and expressed concern over ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East involving nuclear-armed states.
Suzuki criticized nuclear deterrence theory as "extremely precarious," citing failures in the five-yearly Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty review conference held in May, when member states could not adopt a final document for the third consecutive time. He noted that trends of nuclear weapons modernization and enhancement fuel cycles of mistrust and division. The mayor urged all nuclear-armed states to fulfill NPT obligations and advance nuclear disarmament. He specifically called on the Japanese government to participate in the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty review conference scheduled for November 2026, to uphold Japan's three non-nuclear principles enshrined in the Constitution, and to pursue nuclear-free security policies.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed Japan's commitment to its three non-nuclear principles—not producing, possessing, or allowing nuclear weapons in the country—during her remarks at the ceremony. She described Japan's efforts toward a nuclear-free world as "realistic and practical," emphasizing Japan's responsibility as the only nation to have experienced nuclear devastation in war. Takaichi stressed the importance of promoting global understanding of the realities of atomic bombings. The ceremony was attended by representatives from 98 countries, plus Taiwan and the European Union.
According to city records, the atomic bombing killed approximately 74,000 people in Nagasaki by the end of 1945, with the total death toll recorded in the city's memorial registry now exceeding 200,000 when including those who died from radiation-related illnesses in subsequent years. Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, ending World War II. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement read at the ceremony, warned that "year by year, the risk of miscalculation, escalation, and conflict keeps going up" and called the global security situation "unacceptable." He urged recognition that global security is interdependent and that nuclear weapons fuel uncertainty rather than provide security.
Why This Matters
Nagasaki's commemoration reflects ongoing global debate over nuclear deterrence and disarmament: the 1945 bombing killed approximately 74,000 people by year-end and over 200,000 including radiation-related deaths; currently 12,000+ nuclear warheads remain deployed worldwide. Mayor Suzuki's call for Japan to join the November 2026 Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty review conference signals potential policy shifts on nuclear security frameworks. The failed NPT review in May—the third consecutive impasse on final documents—and U.N. warnings of rising nuclear risks amid Ukraine and Middle East conflicts create measurable pressure on non-nuclear states like Japan to clarify their security alignment and disarmament participation in the near term.
Timeline & Sources
Aug 9, 1945
WirePlutonium atomic device 'Fat Man' detonated over Nagasaki
Aug 15, 1945
WireJapan surrenders, ending World War II
Aug 9, 2026
Wire81st anniversary commemoration of Nagasaki atomic bombing; Mayor Suzuki delivers Peace Declaration; Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirms non-nuclear principles