August 9.
Nagasaki Day—a day we must never forget.
Today, on the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, I offer my heartfelt prayers for the peaceful repose of every precious life lost—not only on that day, but also in the difficult years that followed the war.
I wrote this on August 6 as well, but it is far too important not to say again.
Nuclear weapons must be abolished from this world.
And we must ensure that Nagasaki remains the last place on Earth ever to suffer an atomic bombing in war.
We must also continue to uphold Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles.
As the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings in war, Japan has a unique responsibility to continue conveying these convictions to the international community.
Over the past several years, the global situation has become more dire than at any time since the end of World War II, and even since the end of the Cold War.
It is precisely because we live in such uncertain and turbulent times that we must choose mutual understanding over hatred, and dialogue over violence.
The overwhelming majority of humanity wants nothing more than peace.
Creating a peaceful world—
that is the most important action we must take today.
2026.08.09
SGZ