Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the annual Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony held in the Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward, Hiroshima City.

Approximately 55,000 people including atomic bomb survivors and bereaved family members, as well as representatives of 100 nations, the European Union, and international organizations such as the United Nations attended the ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, praying for the repose of the souls of the atomic bomb victims and for world peace.

Mr. Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima City, 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 Abe and other participants led by 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 Abe expressed his heartfelt condolences to the victims and delivered an address.

After the ceremony, the Prime Minister moved to a hotel in Hiroshima City and attended a meeting to listen to requests by representatives of atomic bomb survivors. After receiving requests from representatives of seven groups of atomic bomb survivors, he held a press conference.