Japan has observed 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the United States during World War Two.
The ceremony, held in Hiroshima on Wednesday, was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, global dignitaries, and city mayor Kazumi Matsui.
The event served as a moment of remembrance for the over 200,000 people who lost their lives due to the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Many died instantly, while others later succumbed to radiation sickness and severe burns. Survivors, often known as Hibakusha, continue to deal with the long-term effects of the attacks, both physically and emotionally.
One survivor, who was six years old when the bomb struck Hiroshima, recalled losing his family and witnessing his father suffer horrific injuries.
Today, younger generations are learning about these experiences through projects that turn survivor stories into artwork.
This year’s memorial also comes at a time of rising global tension.
Mayor Matsui raised concerns about growing military activity and ongoing reliance on nuclear weapons, stating that these developments ignore the devastating history of their use.
He pointed to the weakening state of global nuclear agreements, noting that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is struggling to remain effective.
Matsui urged the Japanese government to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which bans nuclear weapons and became international law in 2021.
While over 70 countries have signed it, major nuclear powers including the US and Russia have opposed it.
Japan has also declined to join, citing reliance on the US nuclear umbrella for national security.
Meanwhile, survivors expressed concern over modern conflicts in places like Gaza and Ukraine, drawing parallels to their own wartime suffering.
They called for stronger public pressure on world leaders to work toward a world free of nuclear arms.