HONOLULU (KHON2) — As part of an annual memorial ceremony, thousands gathered at the Hiroshima Peace Park in Japan on Aug. 6 to commemorate the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Over 130,000 people died from the attack, while survivors suffered lifelong effects. The city of Hiroshima remembered those lost 80 years ago with the annual Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.
“We must all remember to think less about ourselves and more about each other. Thinking of others is how humanity has resolved much conflict and turmoil on our path to the present day,” said Kazumi Matsui, mayor of Hiroshima.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
During the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the monument and Hiroshima elementary students presented a message of peace.
Among the ceremony participants were Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Hiroshima Prefectural Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
“It was a very solemn and very moving ceremony, as I anticipated, and it pointed out the uniqueness of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the only cities in the world that have suffered the devastating impacts of an atomic bomb,” Blangiardi said.
A minute-long moment of silence was held at the exact time the atomic bomb hit the city of Hiroshima, 8:15 a.m.
“Today, conveying the ardent pleas for peace derived from hibakusha experiences is more crucial than ever,” Matsui said.
Hibakusha refers to survivors of the atomic bomb, City officials noted.
Blangiardi echoed Matsui’s statement for peace.
“These remarkable cities are still living with the effects of that tragic day all these years later, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony we attended this morning reinforced, in no uncertain terms, the importance of peace and understanding in our world today,” Blangiardi said.
Blangiardi named honorary Hiroshima citizen
On Aug. 4 of his eight-day trip to Japan, Blangiardi was named an honorary citizen of Hiroshima, the first sister city of Honolulu.
He was presented an honorary citizenship certificate and medal during the ceremony.
I was born in 1946, the year after World War II ended, and while they didn’t often talk about the war, I grew up in a household with my father and uncles, where reminders of World War II were always present. To be able to represent the City and County of Honolulu, and the State of Hawaii, here in Hiroshima, and to participate in Wednesday’s Peace Memorial Ceremony, is especially meaningful to me.
Mayor Blangiardi
Blangiardi visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which contains artifacts and photos of the atomic bombing.
After his tour, Blangiardi wrote a message in the museum’s guest book: “I pray the world will never see another devastation like the one victims of Hiroshima suffered. We extend our warmest aloha to all the citizens of Japan — and Hiroshima especially.”