Nagasaki urges nuclear ban on 75th anniversary
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the memorial ceremony was scaled back with an attendance of about 500, which is one tenth of usual years, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue asked attendees to clap their hands to show appreciation to the 'hibakusha' - the survivors of the atomic bombing, in the same manner that people applauded medical workers battling COVID-19.
Taue urged the Japanese government to ratify a 2017 nuclear ban treaty as soon as possible. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui made the same pledge to the government during his speech at the city's atomic bombing ceremony on Thursday (August 6).
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the ceremony and again, avoided any direct reference to the treaty.
