Aug 09 (NHK) - Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has called on the world to "make Nagasaki the last place to suffer an atomic bombing" at a memorial ceremony in the city.
Friday marks 79 years since Nagasaki was devastated by an atomic attack, just three days after an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
In his address, Kishida said the tragedy experienced by the two cities should never be repeated.
He said working toward a "world without nuclear weapons" through consistent and practical efforts is Japan's mission as the only nation to have suffered wartime atomic bombings.
Kishida said his call for making Nagasaki the last place to suffer an atomic bombing is all the more significant today because the environment surrounding nuclear disarmament is becoming increasingly severe amid divisions in the global community over reducing arms along with nuclear threats by Russia.
He stressed that Japan will take the initiative to lead the international community in nuclear disarmament efforts while maintaining the country's Three Non-Nuclear Principles.
He added that his country will work hard to achieve meaningful results at the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. For that purpose, he said Japan will continue its efforts to find concrete measures for both nuclear and non-nuclear countries.
Kishida also said it is essential to convey the realities of the atomic bombings to people around the world and to gain their correct understanding for taking such measures, including plans to encourage young people from other countries to visit the sites of the atomic bombings.
