Address by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony

Seventy-nine years ago today, an atomic bomb deprived people said to number well more than 100,000 of their precious lives. It reduced the city to ashes and mercilessly deprived people of their dreams and bright futures. Even those who escaped death suffered hardships beyond description. As prime minister, I reverently express my sincere condolences to the souls who were victims of the atomic bomb here. 

I also extend my heartfelt sympathy to those still suffering even now from the aftereffects of the atomic bomb. 

The devastation and human suffering wrought upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki 79 years ago must never be repeated. As the only country to have experienced the horror of nuclear devastation in war, Japan has the mission of firmly upholding the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles" and steadily building up efforts over time towards the realization of a world without nuclear weapons while conveying the realities of the atomic bombings to future generations. 

The widening division within the international community over approaches to nuclear disarmament, Russia's nuclear threat, and other concerns make the situation surrounding nuclear disarmament all the more challenging. But no matter how arduous this path towards a world without nuclear weapons may be, we must continue moving forward along that path. In order to maintain and strengthen the regime of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), we will press forward with realistic and practical measures under the Hiroshima Action Plan and lead the international community, with a view to building momentum within the international community for nuclear disarmament. 

The world now stands at a critical point where the trend towards fewer nuclear weapons could undergo a reversal for the first time since the height of the Cold War. Promoting the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, or FMCT, is an important means of guarding against such a turn of events. In consonance with that, this year Japan launched a "Friends of the FMCT" framework that includes both nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states. I myself will stand at the fore and be proactively involved in this work. 

In May 2023, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, I urged leaders and young people from all around the world to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where the atomic bombings took place. Having them accurately understand the realities of the atomic bombings will be of great consequence as a starting point for all kinds of efforts towards nuclear disarmament. 

As one part of these efforts, this past December, the Youth Leader Fund for a World Without Nuclear Weapons program, established by the United Nations through contributions from the Government of Japan, embarked on its activities. This year, through this program, the future leaders of both nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states will visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

Working in tandem with atomic bomb survivors and others eager to bring about a world without nuclear weapons, Japan is determined to continue to do its utmost to pass down to the next generation messages from the atomic bomb survivors as well as the tragic realities of the atomic bombings. 

The Government, accepting the necessity of relief measures covering health and medical services and welfare of atomic bomb survivors, will continue to advance relief measures in a comprehensive manner while staying in tune with atomic bomb survivors, who are advancing in years, including by conducting screenings for recognizing atomic bomb diseases as quickly as possible. 

In closing, here in Hiroshima, where prayers for eternal peace are offered continuously, I pledge once again that Japan will make its utmost efforts for the realization of a world without nuclear weapons and for the realization of eternal peace. I wish to conclude with my heartfelt prayers for the repose of the souls of those who fell victim to the atomic bombing here in Hiroshima. I also pray sincerely for the inner peace of the bereaved families and the atomic bomb survivors as well as all the participants today and the people of Hiroshima City.