Nagasaki’s mayor commemorated the 63rd anniversary of the world’s second atomic bomb attack yesterday with a call for stricter measures against North Korea, Pakistan and Israel for their possession of nuclear weapons.
A moment of silence was observed throughout Nagasaki in southern Japan at 11:02am, the time in 1945 when a US B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb on the city, killing about 74,000 people. The attack came three days after an atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, killing at least 140,000.
Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II.
PHOTO: AFP
ABOLITION
Mayor Tomihisa Taue called for the abolishment of nuclear weapons, saying the US and Russia should take the lead.
“We also demand that the United Nations and international society do not ignore the nuclear weapons of North Korea, Pakistan and Israel, as well as the suspicions of nuclear development by Iran, but take stern measures against these countries,” he said.
Taue spoke to thousands of people attending the ceremony in Nagasaki’s Peace Park. As he finished his remarks, doves were released and circled above the park, where colorful strings of origami cranes had been hung by local children.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda also spoke, emphasizing Japan’s long-standing policy of not possessing, developing or allowing nuclear weapons on its soil, as he had three days earlier at a ceremony in Hiroshima.
ALLIANCES
The anniversary comes as Japan warily eyes shifting nuclear alliances in other parts of the globe. Tokyo has expressed concern over a US nuclear accord with India that would reverse more than three decades of US policy barring the sale of nuclear fuel and technology to countries that have not signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT).
India has tested nuclear weapons but has not signed the nonproliferation treaty or the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Taue yesterday repeated calls by Japanese officials for India to participate in both treaties.
“India, whose nuclear cooperation with the US is a concern, should be strongly urged to join the NPT and CTBT,” he said.
His comments came a day after a senior US official urged Japan to support the nuclear accord.
“The bottom line for us is this is the way to get the cooperation we want, this is the way to get the support for nonproliferation,” US Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian Affairs Richard Boucher told reporters on Friday in Tokyo.
Nagasaki was chosen for atomic destruction because the original target, the city of Kokura, was clouded over. A number of US prisoners of war were in Nagasaki when it was bombed.
‘SHARP COMPETITION’: Australia is to partner with US-based Lockheed Martin to make guided multiple launch rocket systems, an Australian defense official said Australia is to ramp up missile manufacturing under a plan unveiled yesterday by a top defense official, who said bolstering weapons stockpiles would help keep would-be foes at bay. Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the nation would establish a homegrown industry to produce long-range guided missiles and other much-needed munitions. “Why do we need more missiles? Strategic competition between the United States and China is a primary feature of Australia’s security environment,” Conroy said in a speech. “That competition is at its sharpest in our region, the Indo-Pacific.” Australia is to partner with US-based weapons giant Lockheed Martin to make
BEYOND WASHINGTON: Although historically the US has been the partner of choice for military exercises, Jakarta has been trying to diversify its partners, an analyst said Indonesia’s first joint military drills with Russia this week signal that new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto would seek a bigger role for Jakarta on the world stage as part of a significant foreign policy shift, analysts said. Indonesia has long maintained a neutral foreign policy and refuses to take sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict or US-China rivalry, but Prabowo has called for stronger ties with Moscow despite Western pressure on Jakarta. “It is part of a broader agenda to elevate ties with whomever it may be, regardless of their geopolitical bloc, as long as there is a benefit for Indonesia,” said Pieter
TIGHT CAMPAIGN: Although Harris got a boost from an Iowa poll, neither candidate had a margin greater than three points in any of the US’ seven battleground states US Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in the final days before the election, as she and former US president and Republican presidential nominees make a frantic last push to win over voters in a historically close campaign. The first lines Harris spoke as she sat across from Maya Rudolph, their outfits identical, was drowned out by cheers from the audience. “It is nice to see you Kamala,” Harris told Rudolph with a broad grin she kept throughout the sketch. “And I’m just here to remind you, you got this.” In sync, the two said supporters
Pets are not forgotten during Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations, when even Fido and Tiger get a place at the altars Mexican families set up to honor their deceased loved ones, complete with flowers, candles and photographs. Although the human dead usually get their favorite food or drink placed on altars, the nature of pet food can make things a little different. The holiday has roots in Mexican pre-Hispanic customs, as does the reverence for animals. The small, hairless dogs that Mexicans kept before the Spanish conquest were believed to help guide their owners to the afterlife, and were sometimes given
RSS