This month, as in previous years, newspapers and television programs in Japan were filled with stories about the Pacific War to commemorate the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Japan's surrender.
In particular, the Peace Memorial Ceremony held in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, marked the 63rd anniversary of that city's destruction. Municipal authorities who sponsored the event were pleased to see representatives from a record 55 countries at the ceremony, up from 13 nations last year.
Since 1998, the city has invited the countries in possession of nuclear weapons to send delegations to the annual event. Of them, Russia has the best attendance record, having been present for nine consecutive years since 2000. China was represented this year for the first time. But Britain, France and the United States were not represented.