Hiroshima marks 81 years since atomic bombing with protests against arms exports
Protesters in Hiroshima marked the 81st atomic bombing anniversary, opposing Japan's lifting of lethal weapons export ban and urging adherence to non-nuclear principles.
On the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, protesters took to the streets of the Japanese city to voice opposition to the government's recent decision to permit lethal weapons exports. The demonstration, held on August 6, also called for the preservation of Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which prohibit the possession, production, or introduction of nuclear weapons into the country.
The anniversary commemorates the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, which killed an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. A second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki three days later. As the only nation to have experienced atomic attacks, Japan has long maintained its pacifist stance.
However, the current government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, revised the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" in April. The changes remove restrictions that previously limited arms exports to five non-combat categories, allow the export of lethal weapons in principle, and permit transfers to countries engaged in active conflict under certain conditions. The revisions also reduce parliamentary oversight in the decision-making process.
Protesters expressed deep concern over these policy shifts. Aiko Maeda, one of the demonstrators, questioned the rationale behind weapons sales, saying, "Whenever I hear about someone selling weapons, I can't help but ask myself -- 'Why? Why start that kind of war again?'" She added that she finds it difficult to understand how anyone could support such actions.
Another protester, Nozomi Yamao, warned that exporting lethal weapons would implicate Japan in foreign conflicts. "I really don't want my country to take part in such harmful and dangerous acts," she said.
The demonstration reflects growing public unease over Japan's evolving defense policies, as citizens urge the government to maintain its historical commitment to peace and non-nuclear principles.