TOKYO, January 29, (V7N) — The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have extended an invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Japan later this year for the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings that ended World War II, officials confirmed Wednesday.

In a joint letter dated January 28, the mayors urged Trump to hear firsthand accounts from hibakusha—survivors of the bombings—and reflect on the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare.

"It is our sincere hope that you will break away from the notion of nuclear reliance and take strong leadership in the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting world peace," the letter stated.

A Historic and Controversial Legacy

On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing approximately 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki, including those who succumbed to radiation exposure in the following months and years. The bombings remain the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II.

While Washington has never formally apologized for the bombings, diplomatic engagement at the commemorations has grown in recent decades. In 2010, U.S. Ambassador John Roos became the first American representative to attend Hiroshima’s annual remembrance ceremony, later visiting Nagasaki in 2012.

President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima in 2016, and Joe Biden followed suit in 2023. Trump, however, did not visit during his first term, despite previous invitations from the mayors, according to Japanese media reports.

Diplomatic Tensions and Nuclear Policy

The invitation comes at a time of heightened global nuclear tensions, with renewed debates over arms control and disarmament. Trump’s previous administration emphasized strengthening U.S. nuclear capabilities, withdrawing from arms treaties, and increasing defense spending. Whether he will accept the invitation remains uncertain.

Last year’s anniversary was marked by controversy when Nagasaki’s mayor, Shiro Suzuki, decided not to invite Israel’s ambassador to the ceremony, citing concerns over potential protests related to the ongoing Gaza conflict. In response, the ambassadors of the U.S., Israel, Britain, and other countries boycotted the event, instead attending a smaller memorial in Tokyo.

In December 2024, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors advocating for a global ban on nuclear weapons.

With the 80th anniversary of the bombings approaching, Japan’s leaders continue to push for nuclear disarmament on the world stage. Whether Trump will engage in these discussions or continue his hardline stance on nuclear policy remains to be seen.

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