| Here today, on the occasion of the Nagasaki Peace Ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, I reverently pay sincere tribute to the souls of the atomic bomb victims.
I express my heartfelt sympathy for those suffering from the after-effects of the atomic bomb. I will continue to work sincerely to promote support measures, including provision of assistance to atomic bomb victims living abroad, while accurately taking into account the reality of the aging victims of the atomic bomb.
As the only nation in human history to be bombed with atomic weapons, Japan will continue to comply with its pacifist Constitution and firmly maintain the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, with its strong commitment not to repeat the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan will lead the international community to promote international efforts for nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation and devote itself to abolish nuclear weapons.
After the war, Nagasaki has achieved great development as a tourist city where the legacy of history lives on. I would like to express my heartfelt respect to the countless people who have consistently devoted their energies into the reconstruction of Nagasaki. The aspiration of the people of Nagasaki who have worked for the achievement of world peace has been firmly planted along with the Bells of Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of the world. This year, the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims is holding "The Hiroshima Nagasaki Atomic Bombing Exhibition" in the United States to inform the world about the horrors and devastation that the atomic bombing brought upon Nagasaki. I strongly believe that Nagasaki will continue to develop as an international center of exchange that will spread the message of peace.
I would like to conclude my address by offering my heartfelt prayer for the repose of the atomic bomb victims' souls and my best wishes to the atomic bomb survivors and the bereaved families.
August 9, 2005
Junichiro Koizumi
Prime Minister of Japan
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