Tokyo, August 9, 2026 – The Europe Today: The Japanese city of Nagasaki on Sunday marked the 81st anniversary of the US atomic bombing during World War II, holding a peace ceremony to commemorate the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the devastating attack.
More than 73,000 people are estimated to have died by the end of 1945 as a result of the bombing and its aftermath. Many survivors, known as hibakusha, have continued to suffer from cancer and other illnesses associated with radiation exposure.
The annual ceremony began at 10:45 a.m. Japan time at Nagasaki Peace Park, bringing together atomic bomb survivors, bereaved family members and representatives from 98 countries.
During the ceremony, an updated list of atomic bomb victims was placed at the memorial. The list now contains 204,708 names, including 2,773 people whose deaths were confirmed or who died during the past 12 months.
At 11:02 a.m., the exact time the atomic bomb exploded over Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, participants observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims.
Nagasaki Mayor Suzuki Shiro subsequently delivered a declaration of peace, highlighting the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons and the physical and psychological suffering they cause. His message also drew on the testimony and experiences of an atomic bomb survivor.
The anniversary ceremonies provide an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives and to honour the survivors who continue to bear the consequences of the bombing.
Across Japan, people observed the anniversary throughout the day, remembering the tragedy of Nagasaki and reaffirming the importance of peace and efforts to prevent the recurrence of nuclear devastation.
