Survivors of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki gathered to mark 70 years since the attack at an emotional ceremony held at the Nagasaki Peace Park on Sunday.
Ambassadors from 75 countries, including US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, attended the memorial service, which saw survivors of the bombing criticise Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his plans to amend Japan’s pacifist constitution.
Addressing the audience, Mr Abe said Japan remained "determined to pursue a world without nuclear weapons". "As the only nation in the world to have suffered a war-time nuclear attack, I have renewed my resolve to play a leading role in pursuing a world without nuclear weapons," he added.
However, the prime minister came under fire from Nagasaki mayor Tomihisa Taue who said there was "widespread unease" about Mr Abe’s plan to change the constitution, which would allow Japan to go to war in defence of an ally which comes under attack. The proposed legislation has already been passed by the lower house of parliament.
"I urge the government of Japan to listen to these voices of unease and concern," he said.
His comments were echoed by Nagasaki bombing survivor Sumiteru Taniguchi, who told the crowd, "we cannot accept this". "The security bills which the government is trying to push through would jeopardise our long-time movement for nuclear abolition and hopes of hibakusha (atom-bomb survivors)," he added. "I cannot tolerate the bills."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also sent a message to the ceremony calling for the banning of nuclear weapons. "Nagasaki must be the last - we cannot allow any future use of nuclear weapons,” he said. The humanitarian consequences are too great. No more Nagasakis. No more Hiroshimas."
Also see our earlier post:
Japan marks 70 years since Hiroshima atomic bombing (06 Aug 2015)