Record! 120 Countries And Regions Will Attend The 80th Anniversary Of Hiroshima Atomic Bombs

JAKARTA - At least 120 countries and the region together with the European Union plan to attend the 80th anniversary of the United States' Hiroshima bombing with an atomic bomb on Wednesday, a figure that is a new record, according to the western Japan city.

Although Russia is expected to be out again this year, its close ally, Belarus, will be present for the first time in four years, the Hiroshima City Government said after the city government lifted the ban on the presence of the two countries due to Moscow's war with Ukraine.

Hiroshima Mayor Kairan Matsui said an increase in international awareness of the history of his city, by recording 2.26 million people visiting city museums documenting the destruction caused by the bombing in the previous fiscal year ending March, hit a record high.

"As the first city to experience nuclear destruction, we aim to share the global ' Hiroshima spirit' that hopes for true peace and raise awareness of grassroots of peace," Matsui said in a written interview with Kyodo News, as quoted August 4.

Among the nuclear weapons-owning countries, representatives from the United States, Britain and France are expected to attend. India, which is not a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and Israel's de facto nuclear nation will also participate.

On the other hand, Palestine and Taiwan, which are not recognized as countries by the Japanese Government, will participate in the ceremony for the first time.

China, Pakistan and North Korea do not plan to attend.

Following last year's controversy over Israel's invitation to war in the Gaza Strip, Hiroshima this year switched from sending invitations to "letting know" of all countries and territories about the annual commemoration ceremony.

The previous record for highest attendance was recorded in 2023, when 111 countries, plus the European Union, participated.

Hiroshima, which was bombed three days after Hiroshima in 1945, is also expected to receive record highs of attendance from more than 100 countries and territories for its ceremonies on Saturday.

This year, the city has invited all countries and territories that have diplomatic missions in Japan or representative offices in the United Nations. The city also received requests from Taiwan to attend for the first time.

"I hope that by watching the reality of the atomic bomb firsthand, (the participants) will feel the inhumane consequences of the use of nuclear weapons," said Mayorima Shiro Suzuki.

It is known that the Hiroshima atomic bomb on August 6, 1945, and three days later in mastery, killed more than 210,000 people by the end of the year. Japan surrendered six days after the HUMANe bombing, which ended World War II.

Every year, these cities hold commemoration ceremonies in memory of the victims and pray for lasting peace.