The mayor of Nagasaki declared nuclear weapons as the ‘absolute evil’ during the 81st anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city. He criticized the growing support for nuclear deterrence and urged the Japanese government to adhere to its post-war non-nuclear principles.

This anniversary aligned with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s review of the nation’s defense policy, aimed at strengthening the military’s offensive capabilities. There is speculation that Takaichi, a supporter of nuclear deterrence, might allow nuclear weapons into the country, contrary to Japan’s third non-nuclear principle.

Mayor Shiro Suzuki argued against the belief that nuclear weapons deter potential attackers. He stated that the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki prove that humans can cross dangerous lines. Suzuki called the nuclear deterrence theory fragile and dangerous, labeling nuclear weapons not as a ‘necessary evil,’ but as an ‘absolute evil’ that cannot coexist with humanity.

The United States attacked Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, killing 70,000 people by the end of that year. This happened three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, which resulted in 140,000 deaths. Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, ending World War II and their aggression in Asia.

More than 90 countries’ representatives attended the ceremony at Nagasaki’s Peace Park and observed a moment of silence at 11:02 AM, marking the time the plutonium bomb ‘Fat Man’ was dropped by a B-29 bomber.

Suzuki urged Japan to respect its pacifist Constitution and participate in the upcoming review conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. He demanded the government remain committed to the three non-nuclear principles. Prime Minister Takaichi supported the first two principles— not possessing or developing nuclear weapons.

Takaichi attended the ceremony and reiterated her policy of taking a ‘realistic and pragmatic’ approach towards a nuclear-free world. However, like in Hiroshima, she remained vague about the three non-nuclear principles and stated Japan’s current adherence to them.

Takaichi did not mention the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which Japan has not signed, being under the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Later, she informed the press that Japan would work within the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and decide on further actions based on national security needs and promoting nuclear disarmament.

Survivors expressed frustration and criticized the government’s support for nuclear deterrence as insincere. Concerns about Takaichi potentially relaxing non-nuclear principles sparked protests from survivors, known as hibakusha, in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The number of survivors has dwindled to 91,105, with an average age over 86, worrying about fading memories among younger generations who might not clearly remember the attack.