On August 9, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the annual Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony held in the Peace Park in Nagasaki City.

Approximately 5,400 people including atomic bomb survivors and bereaved family members, as well as representatives of 58 nations and regions, the European Union, international organizations such as the United Nations, and others attended the ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of the atomic bombing, praying for the repose of the souls of the atomic bomb victims and for world peace.

Mr. Tomihisa Taue, Mayor of Nagasaki City, and representatives of bereaved family members, atomic bomb survivors and youth enshrined at the site the list of the names of atomic bomb victims whose passing was confirmed in the past year. Then the representatives of the bereaved family members and the atomic bomb survivors, and elementary, junior high, and high school student representatives offered water. Afterwards, the representatives of the bereaved family members and the atomic bomb survivors, the Prime Minister and other guests offered wreaths. The Bell of Nagasaki was then rung at 11:02 a.m., the time that the atomic bomb was dropped, and all the participants prayed in silence for one minute.

Then, following Mayor Taue’s Peace Declaration, the recital of the Promise for Peace by a representative of the atomic bomb survivors, and a choral song performed by elementary school students, Prime Minister Abe expressed his heartfelt prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims and delivered an address.

After the ceremony, the Prime Minister listened to requests from representatives of atomic bomb survivors at a hotel in Nagasaki City, and then held a press conference.