NAGASAKI, Japan (AP) – On Friday, Japanese Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by his wife, Empress Masako, and their daughter, Princess Aiko, paid tribute to the victims of the atomic bombing in Nagasaki, marking the 80th anniversary of the tragic event. The visit is part of a broader remembrance tour of significant World War II locations, focusing on the horrors faced during the conflict.
The royal family bowed deeply and laid bouquets of white flowers at the cenotaph dedicated to the atomic bombing victims located at the peace memorial park in Nagasaki, which was devastated by the bomb dropped on August 9, 1945. This plutonium bomb killed over 70,000 people by the end of that year, shortly after the United States dropped a uranium bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, resulting in approximately 140,000 casualties. Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945, brought an end to World War II and the period of military aggression in Asia.
Emperor Naruhito has consistently emphasized the importance of remembering and discussing the tragedies of war with younger generations. In line with this commitment, he has visited locations marked by significant battles and bombings this year, including Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Hiroshima.
In July, the imperial couple honored thousands of Japanese prisoners of war during their trip to Mongolia. This gesture is part of Naruhito’s ongoing efforts of atonement and remembrance concerning the suffering caused during the war, a conflict that his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, was linked to. Following their ceremony in Nagasaki, the family was scheduled to visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum to engage with exhibits and meet survivors of the bombing. Additionally, plans were made for them to visit a nursing home for atomic bomb survivors, further emphasizing their commitment to acknowledging the ongoing plight of those affected by the bombings.
As the average age of survivors now surpasses 86, many have expressed frustration regarding the escalating nuclear threats in recent years, despite their long-standing efforts to advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The royal family's visit, which is Naruhito's first since he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, also marks Princess Aiko’s inaugural visit to Nagasaki.
During the royal motorcade's approach to the peace park, hundreds of citizens waved small rising-sun flags, calling out the names of the royal family. The Emperor and Empress, alongside Aiko, responded by lowering their car windows to greet the cheering crowd. In the evening, the residents of Nagasaki planned a welcome for the royal family by lighting lanterns on rooftops visible from their hotel, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Earlier in April, Naruhito and Masako paid tribute at Iwo Jima, honoring the approximately 20,000 Japanese and nearly 7,000 American Marines who lost their lives during the fierce combat that took place from February 19 to March 26, 1945. In June, the Emperor visited Okinawa, where he mourned the deaths of about 188,000 Japanese individuals, including a large number of Okinawan civilians, along with approximately 12,000 American soldiers in the Battle of Okinawa. Princess Aiko accompanied her parents, reinforcing Naruhito's desire for her to understand the hardships endured by the Okinawan people and share their stories with future generations.
