The city of Hiroshima, western Japan, remembered on Wednesday (6) the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing held by the United States in World War II, at a time when countries returned to accelerate military development worldwide and to make nuclear threats.
Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui opened the event speeches remembering the horror memories lived by the survivors and the commitment 80 years later, with the eradication of atomic weapons, “the best one can do for the dead.” The bell of peace resonated at the city’s Memorial Peace Park during the minute of silence observed at 8:15 am (8:15 pm on Tuesday in Brasilia), the exact time when the “Little Boy” atomic bomb was launched by the Enola Gay bomber, instantly killing about 70,000 people, which would double until the end of 1945.
As the city was rebuilt after the brutal American attack of that year, a pacifist campaign began to eradicate nuclear weapons. However, this perspective seems to be disappearing with three neighbors from Japan – Russia, China and North Korea – increasingly developing their nuclear abilities.
The Japanese Constitution, also called Japan’s “constitution of peace”, was written by the US after the occupation at the end of the 2nd war that lasted almost seven years. The document establishes that the Asian country could not maintain an army with offensive capacity. In return, the Americans promised to defend Japan in case of attack.
Even with the limitations of the law, Japan has managed to expand its arsenal, justified for defensive purposes, and is close to becoming one of the nations that invest the most in its army – called the self -defense forces – from the world.
Decades after nuclear bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the discussion about a revision of Japanese legislation regarding military forces has gained strength. Nippon Kaigi, a nationalist political bloc, is one of those who lead the debate and has significant support from members of the Liberal Democratic Party, currently in power.
During the ceremony on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated in a speech the government’s position to promote a world without nuclear wars or weapons under a time when “the division of the international community around nuclear disarmament is deepening and the current security environment is becoming increasingly rigid.” In the background, from outside the event venue, protesting protest words could be heard.
The United States launched the first nuclear attack in history about the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and, three days later, launched a second atomic bomb over Nagasaki, which led to the surrender of Japan and marked the end of World War II. It is estimated that about 210,000 people have died over the years due to the effects of bombing.
