US diplomat: Hiroshima atom bombing should never be repeated

The Hiroshima bombing and its aftermath ultimately claimed about 140,000 lives, helping to draw to a close the deadliest conflict in history and, for better or worse, usher in the atomic age. “It is our mission to convey to the world and to the coming generations the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons“, Prime Minister Abe said in his address.

It was seventy years ago that an atomic uranium bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan by the US, killing 66,000 people and injuring thousands more according to estimates by the US army.

Three days later a second atomic bomb named “fat man” was dropped on Nagasaki with the same devastating results. The event, titled “Never Again”, will be held promptly at 4:00pm and it not only aims to commemorate the bombings, but also to increase public awareness of current nuclear threats and build support to ban nuclear weapons.

Dropping the bombs, which were developed under strict secrecy, was hugely popular with war-weary Americans at the time – and 70 years on, a majority today still think it was the right thing to do.

About 50,000 people attended the ceremony in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, including U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and worldwide Security Rose Gottemoeller and representatives of about 100 other countries.

The solemn beat of a drum and a slow procession through downtown Syracuse Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It comes days before Abe is due to make a statement to mark the anniversary of Japan’s defeat on August. 15.

70 years ago today, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.

A rosary, a sake container, a student’s cap, 20 items in all, provide a personal connection to the tens of thousands who were killed instantly after the United States bombed the Japanese cities to bring an end to World War II.

Kerry said “our hearts go out to survivors”, as he also praised the continued strong relationship between the US and Japan that emerged from the ashes of war. “I saw the bomber’s silver silhouette against the blue sky flying away”, said Kawasaki.

Hiroshima mayor Matsui used Thursday’s ceremony to criticize Abe’s security plans, saying leaders should stick with the “pacifism of the Japanese constitution”.

Critics who see the measures as a derailment of Japan’s pacifist constitution lambasted Abe at a meeting after the commemoration ceremony. Unable to fully voice his views within a secretive and pro-nuclear military, after his retirement in 1973 he become one of the first members of Veterans for Peace.