Japan marks 75 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Japan marks 75th anniversary of world’s first atomic bombing on Thursday at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park amid coronavirus epidemic.

Survivors, relatives and a handful of foreign dignitaries are takes the part in this year’s main event in Hiroshima to pray for the victims and call for world peace. However, the general public will be kept away, the program will be broadcast online instead. Other events, including a gathering of floating lanterns on the banks of the Motoyasu River, have been canceled due to coronavirus cases in some parts of Japan.

“On August 6, 1945, a single atomic bomb destroyed our city. Rumor 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 8:15 a.m. on Aug 6, 1945, US B-29 warplane Enola Gay dropped a bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” and obliterated the city with an estimated population of 350,000, where thousands more died later from injuries and radiation-related illnesses.

Matsui also said that, “A subsequent upsurge in nationalism led to World War Two and the atomic bombings. We must never allow this painful past to repeat itself. Civil society must reject self-centered nationalism and unite against all threats.”

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