US President Donald Trump has received an invitation from the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to visit Japan this year, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings during World War II. The invitation was officially announced on Wednesday.
In a joint letter to President Trump, the mayors urged him to visit the two cities and “listen to the testimonies of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) in person, take to heart their strong desire for peace, and gain a deeper understanding of the devastating effects of nuclear weapons.” The letter, dated January 28, further expressed hope that the visit would encourage Trump to reconsider nuclear reliance and advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons, promoting global peace.
The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945. These remain the only instances in history when nuclear weapons have been used in warfare. Japan surrendered shortly after the bombings. Tragically, around 140,000 people died in Hiroshima, while approximately 74,000 perished in Nagasaki. Many of the victims in both cities died later from radiation exposure.
To date, the United States has not issued an apology for the bombings.
Past Diplomatic Engagements
US Ambassador John Roos made history in 2010 by becoming the first American official to attend the Hiroshima memorial service. He also visited Nagasaki in 2012. In 2016, President Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima, and President Joe Biden followed suit in 2023.
However, despite invitations from both mayors, President Trump did not visit Japan during his first term, according to reports from Japanese media.
Recent Controversies
In 2024, Nagasaki’s Mayor Shiro Suzuki sparked controversy by not inviting Israel’s ambassador to the city’s memorial ceremony. Suzuki insisted that the decision was “not political” but aimed to avoid potential protests over the Gaza conflict. In response, ambassadors from the US, Israel, Britain, and other nations boycotted the event, choosing instead to attend a smaller memorial service in Tokyo.
Nobel Peace Prize Recognition
In a related development, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization formed by survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. The group has long been advocating for the global abolition of nuclear weapons.
