Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony and Other Events

On August 9, 2024, Prime Minister Kishida attended the annual Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony held in the Peace Park in Nagasaki City.

Approximately 3,200 people including atomic bomb survivors and bereaved family members, as well as representatives of 100 nations and regions, the European Union, international organizations such as the United Nations, and others attended the ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing, praying for the repose of the souls of the atomic bomb victims and for world peace.

Mr. SUZUKI Shiro, Mayor of Nagasaki City, and representatives of bereaved family members, and atomic bomb survivors 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, Prime Minister Kishida, and other guests offered wreaths. At 11:02 a.m., the time that the atomic bomb was dropped, all the participants prayed in silence for one minute.

Then, following Mayor Suzuki’s Peace Declaration and the recital of the Promise for Peace by a representative of the atomic bomb survivors, 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 attended a meeting to listen to requests from groups of atomic bomb survivors at a hotel in Nagasaki City. After receiving requests from the representatives of seven groups of atomic bomb survivors, the Prime Minister held a press conference and then visited residents in a nursing home for atomic bomb survivors in the city.