Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony and Other Events

[Provisional translation]

On August 6, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida attended the annual Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony held in the Peace Memorial Park in the City of Hiroshima.
 
Approximately 50,000 people including atomic bomb survivors and bereaved family members, as well as representatives of 111 nations, the European Union, and international organizations such as the United Nations attended the ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
 
At the ceremony, Mr. MATSUI Kazumi, Mayor of the City of Hiroshima, and the representatives of the bereaved family members added the names of atomic bomb victims whose passing was confirmed in the past year to the cenotaph, and Prime Minister Kishida, the representatives of the bereaved family members, and the atomic bomb victims offered flowers. Afterwards, the Peace Bell was rung at 8:15 a.m., the time when the atomic bomb was dropped, and all the participants offered a minute of silent prayer.
 
Next, after Mayor Matsui offered a Peace Declaration and two child representatives recited the Promise for Peace, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his heartfelt prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims and delivered an address.
 
After the ceremony, Prime Minister Kishida moved to a hotel in the City of Hiroshima and attended a meeting to listen to requests from representatives of atomic bomb survivors. After receiving requests from the representatives of seven groups of atomic bomb survivors, he held a press conference. The Prime Minister then visited residents in a nursing home for atomic bomb survivors in the city.