The site of the world’s worst atomic bomb attack echoed with the choirs of schoolchildren and the solemn ringing of bells as Hiroshima marked its biggest memorial yet – and the first to be attended by Britain, the US and other major nuclear powers.
Washington’s decision to send US ambassador John Roos to the 65th anniversary of the bombing was seen by many as potentially paving the way for Barack Obama to visit Hiroshima – which would be unprecedented for a sitting US leader.
Britain and France also made their first official appearance at the memorial, as well as UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon. Altogether, 74 nations were represented.
China, which sent a low-ranking official in 2008, was not participating. Officials said it did not give a reason.
Hiroshima was careful to ensure that the memorial – while honouring the 140,000 who died on or soon after the attack on August 6 1945 – emphasised a look-forward approach, focusing not on whether the bombing was justified, but on averting a future nuclear attack.
Mr Roos said the memorial was a chance to show resolve towards nuclear disarmament.
Mr Ban, who presented flowers at the Eternal Flame in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park, said this year’s memorial would send a strong signal to the world that nuclear weapons must be destroyed.
“Life is short, but memory is long,” he said. “For many of you, that day endures... as vivid as the white light that seared the sky, as dark as the black rains that followed.”
Washington’s decision to attend the anniversary has been welcomed by Japan’s government, but has generated complex feelings among some Japanese who see the bombing as unjustified and want the US to apologise.
“Americans think that the bombing was reasonable because it speeded up the end of the war. They try to see it in a positive way,” Naomi Sawa, a 69-year-old former teacher, said after paying her respects to the dead. “But we were devastated.”
About 140,000 people were killed or died within months when the American B-29, Enola Gay, bombed Hiroshima. Three days later about 80,000 people died after the US attacked Nagasaki.
Japan surrendered on August 15, ending the Second World War.
Concerns that attending the ceremony – an emotional event beginning with the offering of water to the dead and a moment of silence to soothe their souls – would reopen old wounds had kept the US away until this year.
Former US President Jimmy Carter visited Hiroshima’s Peace Museum in 1984, years after he was out of office. The highest-ranking American to visit while in office was House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, who went in 2008. Mr Roos also visited Hiroshima soon after assuming his post last year.