Nagasaki issues warning about potential nuclear conflict on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing
Nagasaki Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing, Calls for Nuclear Disarmament
On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki marked the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing that devastated the city. This solemn event was attended by thousands, including survivors, officials from 94 countries and regions, and political leaders who came together to remember the past and advocate for a nuclear-free future.
The gathering took place at Nagasaki Peace Park, where Fumi Takeshita, an 83-year-old survivor, underscored the importance of nuclear disarmament. Takeshita, who has suffered from various cancers since the bombing, emphasised that radiation from nuclear weapons must never be allowed due to its long-lasting effects on the body.
Nihon Hidankyo, the leading group of atomic bomb survivors in Japan, was formed during an antinuclear gathering in Nagasaki in 1956. This organisation has been instrumental in raising awareness about the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons and advocating for a world free of these weapons. In recognition of their efforts, Nihon Hidankyo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020.
The Japanese government aims to lead global efforts to bring about a world without nuclear war and nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed to uphold Japan's commitment of not possessing, producing, or permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons. However, Japan, like many other countries, relies on the nuclear umbrella extended by the United States.
Current global efforts to achieve a world without nuclear weapons involve a mix of diplomatic treaties, disarmament advocacy, youth engagement, and policy dialogue. Key initiatives and recent developments include the creation of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones, diplomatic pacts, youth engagement programmes, advocacy platforms, and expert networks and research.
Russia and China have agreed to sign the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) treaty, with the United States reviewing it before potential signing. Such zones aim to prohibit nuclear weapons within certain regions, increasing global norms against nuclear arms. However, ongoing nuclear modernization and geopolitical tensions pose challenges to these efforts.
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) actively promotes disarmament education and training globally, including organising events and providing resources to empower youth participation in nuclear disarmament. The UNFOLD ZERO platform consolidates UN-focused initiatives for a nuclear weapons-free world, with high-profile advocacy events and speeches from prominent figures like Michael Douglas emphasising the global call for renewed hope, peace, and nuclear disarmament.
Despite these efforts, the threatened use of nuclear weapons in conflicts such as Russia's war against Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, as well as the growing reliance on nuclear deterrence, have overshadowed the nuclear taboo that the survivors have helped to forge. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged countries to take action to strengthen the global nuclear disarmament regime, with the nonproliferation treaty at the forefront, complemented by "the momentum created by" the nuclear ban treaty.
Mayor Shiro Suzuki warned of the intensifying threat of nuclear war and urged the world to learn from history to prevent nuclear attacks. Representatives of Russia, Belarus, Israel, and Palestine attended the event for the first time in four years, demonstrating a renewed commitment to nuclear disarmament and peace.
As the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the call for nuclear disarmament remains as urgent as ever. The interplay between advancing geopolitical tensions and disarmament advocacy shapes the current landscape of nuclear threat reduction initiatives, making it crucial for global leaders to take decisive action to bring about a world without nuclear weapons.
References:
[1] Arms Control Association. (2022). Nuclear Disarmament and Nonproliferation: Current Efforts and Challenges. Retrieved from https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/NuclearDisarmament
[2] Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI). (n.d.). About PONI. Retrieved from https://poni.org/about/
[3] United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. (n.d.). Disarmament Education. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/disarmament/education/
[4] United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. (n.d.). #StepUp4Disarmament. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/disarmament/content/step-up-4-disarmament
[5] UNFOLD ZERO. (n.d.). About UNFOLD ZERO. Retrieved from https://unfoldzero.org/about/
- AI researchers urge the integration of artificial intelligence in disaster recovery and nuclear disarmament efforts, to build early warning systems and analyze the impacts of atomic bombings, using data from historic events like Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- The Japanese military and government collaborate with international organizations on promoting mental health and health-and-wellness programs for survivors and victims of war and conflicts, addressing the long-lasting effects of trauma and nuclear bombings.
- In a recent science conference, world leaders emphasized the need for advancements in renewable energy and clean technology, aiming to decrease the world's reliance on nuclear power and prevent the misuse of nuclear materials in war and conflicts.
- Government officials in Japan and the United States argue for strengthening invests in research and development of combat robotics and drones for military purposes, promoting the use of technology in war-and-conflicts and policy-making.
- News outlets worldwide report on the escalating tensions between nuclear powers and the threats of nuclear wars, fueling the calls for general-news platforms to provide accurate, balanced, and informative reports on politics, science, and global issues.
