Demonstrators have demanded nuclear abolition while dignitaries marked the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the city
Hundreds of protesters have gathered near the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima to demonstrate their opposition to nuclear weapons and what they call a US-Japan “war alliance.”
Demonstrators chanted anti‑war slogans during the ceremony at Peace Memorial Park on Wednesday, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing.
They voiced concerns over Tokyo’s ongoing military buildup, including rising defence budgets, large‑scale US-Japan drills, and its interest in “nuclear sharing” which would allow Washington station its nuclear weapons in non-nuclear states.
Photos and videos posted on social media showed a heavy police presence while demonstrators held placards reading “The Japan‑US alliance is a war alliance” and “Stop nuclear war.”
At some point, the demonstrators tried to stage a sit-in, prompting the officers to try and forcefully remove them after demanding they “leave.”
Several videos show police grabbing protesters sitting on the ground. Local media outlets have reported that at least one person was detained for allegedly assaulting a security official during the protest.
The official commemoration ceremony held nearby was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who unveiled a new list of the 349,246 victims of US atomic bombing.
The previous casualty estimates linked to both strikes put the number of victims at over 200,000, including those, who perished in the strikes and died from their long-term consequences.
US and the UK representatives were also present at the ceremony alongside officials from 120 other foreign nations and regions.
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None of the speakers at the ceremony reportedly mentioned the US as the nation that dropped the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively.
