Japan marks 80th A-bomb anniversary amid protests over military buildup

The United States dropped atomic bombs to hasten Japan's surrender in World War II. The Japanese government has avoided acknowledging its role in the war of aggression, instead portraying itself primarily as a victim of the atomic bombings.

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies.

Since Tuesday evening, large crowds have gathered at the bombing site, holding banners that read "The Japan-U.S. alliance is a war alliance" and "Stop nuclear war," expressing grave concerns about Japan's continued military buildup and calling for concrete efforts to prevent a repeat of past wars.

Yasuhiro Ikkanda, a co-representative of the protest organizer and a descendant of atomic bomb victims, told reporters that the Japanese government is increasingly raising its defense budget, conducting large-scale military exercises with the U.S., and even exploring the controversial concept of "nuclear sharing."

He said these actions are a serious departure from Japan's pacifist constitution. "The tragedy of Hiroshima must not be forgotten. The government should strive for a genuine peace," he emphasized.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, speaking at the ceremony, reaffirmed Japan's commitment to its Three Non-Nuclear Principles. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged the public to remember the nuclear devastation and carry forward the ideals of peace.

However, none of them mentioned the historical context behind the bombing of Hiroshima.

On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively, to hasten Japan's surrender in World War II.

For decades, the Japanese government has avoided acknowledging its role in the war of aggression, instead portraying itself primarily as a victim of the atomic bombings, with little mention of the historical context and sufferings it inflicted upon China and other Asian countries during World War II.■