Nagasaki Day 2023: Remembering 78 years since the US atomic bombing
Nagasaki in Japan marked the 78th anniversary of the US atomic bombing on August 9, 1945, when the United States deployed the ‘Fat Man’ nuclear bomb, the second of its kind, on the southern Japanese city. This devastating event followed the bombing of Hiroshima with the ‘Little Boy’ uranium bomb just three days earlier. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida extended condolences to the victims and expressed the nation’s commitment to achieving a world without nuclear weapons.
In a video message, Kishida stated, “I extend my heartfelt sympathies to those who continue to suffer from the aftereffects and offer sincere condolences to the souls of the atomic bombing victims. We must ensure that the tragedy that took place in Nagasaki 78 years ago is never repeated. As the only country to have experienced atomic bombings, we will persist in our endeavours to bring about a world without nuclear weapons.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also commemorated the tragic event, emphasising the importance of preventing such devastation in the future. He urged the global community to eliminate nuclear weapons in order to eradicate the risk they pose.
During World War II, the United States and its allies sought to end the conflict with Japan, culminating in the decision to deploy atomic bombs. The goal was to hasten Japan’s surrender and avoid a prolonged and costly invasion. The first atomic bomb, ‘Little Boy,’ was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, leading to approximately 140,000 casualties by year’s end.
The ‘Fat Man’ bomb, named for its shape, was unleashed on Nagasaki, resulting in over 80,000 fatalities. This event prompted Japan’s unconditional surrender in World War II. The initial blast claimed around 70,000 lives, while an additional 70,000 succumbed to radiation-related illnesses later on. The ‘Fat Man’ was dropped by the US warplane Enola Gay from an altitude of about 1,650 feet.
Nagasaki Day is a global observance dedicated to promoting peace and raising awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons. The day serves as a platform for anti-war and anti-nuclear demonstrations across many countries, emphasising the significance of preventing such catastrophic events from occurring again.
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