HIROSHIMA, Aug. 7 -August 6 was the day to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing at Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. On this day, the members of a local agricultural cooperative in Hiroshima (JA Hiroshima) paid tribute to the war victims at the memorial monument built on the ex-site of the Hiroshima branch office of the Hiroshima prefectural agricultural association, which was located near the hypocenter.
Approximately 30 people, including JA officials and family members of the victims, offered incense and laid flowers for 83 atomic bomb casualties from the agricultural sector. At 8:15 in the morning, they observed a moment of silence as the Hiroshima Peace Bell rang. They prayed for the repose of the souls of the casualties and the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons.
Seiji Kikkawa, chairman of JA Hiroshima Chuokai (the central union of the JA Hiroshima）
, said that it wouldn’t be right to say that their call for peace has reached the world. “It is important to join our hearts as one and continue sending out messages from Hiroshima,” he emphasized.
One of the visitors, Hideyuki Takahashi, 58, said his grandmother, Toshiko Takahashi, died at the age of 19 and her name is engraved on the monument. He started to come here approximately 20 years ago after his father found her name on the monument. On August 6, 1945, Toshiko told her mother that she was going to a bank, but she never returned. “I don’t know how long I can continue the visits, but I will keep praying for the world to be free of war and hunger,” he said.
Takahashi offering incense at the memorial monument, which has the name of his grandmother (On August 6 in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture)