Hiroshima mayors have a strong tradition of opposing nuclear weapons.
Over the years, they’ve written letters to the leaders of various countries, opposing their successful tests of atomic weapons. The mayors, advocates for an atomic bomb-free world, speak from a unique perspective.
It was here at 8:15 a.m. on Aug. 6, 1945, during the closing weeks of World War II, that the first atomic bomb was dropped on a city. The blast produced a mushroom cloud and killed 140,000 people and left thousands more homeless.
And with North Korea’s threat to build more nuclear weapons, Hiroshima’s current mayor, Tadatoshi Akiba, is speaking out.
“I am furious, with (North Korea) for defying strong protests from the international community, including Hiroshima, the city attacked in an atomic bombing,” the mayor said in a statement, according to AFP. “This means a grave challenge for the international community, which can never be (forgivable).”
