Akshata Murty and Jill Biden make gloomy appearance at Hiroshima commemoration

Akshata Murty and Jill Biden were sombre as they led partners of G7 leaders at a moving memorial to the victims of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan – where the summit begins today.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s wife Britta Ernst and Ursula von der Leyen’s husband Heiko also appeared emotional as they laid wreaths at the Peace Memorial Park, which commemorates the estimated 135,000 civilians killed in the nuclear explosion in 1945. 69,000 wounded.

Japan’s First Lady Yuko Kishida also attended and bowed at the cenotaph marking the tragedy.

Rishi Sunak’s wife, 43, seemed particularly moved as she walked to the grounds and looked solemn before the flowers were laid.

But there seemed to be a moment of light-heartedness after the harrowing ritual as the partners smiled as they walked back from the park.

Rishi Sunak’s wife, 43, seemed particularly emotional as she walked to the grounds and looked solemn before the flowers were laid

Yuko, 58, appeared in good spirits when she spoke to Jill, 71 – who was born just six years after the bombings – as if she were involved in their conversation.

The US First Lady — whose husband Joe Biden will not apologize for the United States’ use of the nuclear bomb on the city — as well as Nagasaki — during World War II during the trip — wore a full naval ensemble for the visit .

Britta, 62, opted for dark shades in a black overcoat worn over a white dress, while Yuko and Akshata wore white and beige tones for their look.

Heiko, 67, also wore darker shades in a black and blue suit as he paid his respects.

Their partners had also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony during their Friday morning tour of Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Memorial Museum.

On the first morning of the G7, the leaders toured the museum at the memorial.

While there, Joe Biden, 80, met Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha or nuclear bomb survivor. She was eight years old on August 6, 1945.

The G7 leaders – which included the leaders of the United States, the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Japan – then took a moment to stand at the memorial to pay their respects . Many bowed their heads.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, whose family is from Hiroshima, spoke to them and pointed out parts of the park.

The wife of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Britta Ernst and Heiko, husband of Ursula von der Leyen, also seemed emotional as they laid wreaths in the Peace Memorial Park. Pictured from left to right: Akshata Murty, Jill Biden, Yuko Kishida, Britta Ernst and Heiko von der Leyen

The partners of G7 leaders – including the leaders of the United States, the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Japan – then took a moment to stand at their memorial to pay their respects. to testify

On the first morning of the G7, the leaders and their partners toured the museum at the memorial

There seemed to be a moment of light-heartedness after the harrowing ritual as the partners smiled as they returned from the park

Japan’s First Lady Yuko Kishida also attended and bowed at the cenotaph marking the tragedy

They also posed for a group photo in front of the memorial before heading further into the park to participate in a tree-planting ceremony.

Each leader was given a golden shovel and dropped a shovel of dirt around the cherry tree, which was planted to mark their visit.

“Through their visit to the Peace Memorial Park, G7 leaders have deepened their understanding of the reality of the atomic bombings and united their hearts to comfort the souls of lost lives,” Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

The G7 leaders reiterated their position that threats by Russia to use nuclear weapons, let alone their use, are intolerable.

“We are convinced that this visit was an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the G7 to the realization of a world without nuclear weapons,” the ministry said.

Each leader was given a golden shovel and dropped a shovel of dirt around the cherry tree, which was planted to mark their visit. Wreaths lying in the photo

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty welcomed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko

Fumio Kishida, left in the photo, whose family is from Hiroshima, spoke to leaders and pointed out parts of the park

World leaders are meeting at a time when Russia threatens to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and North Korea has tested nuclear missiles.

“We must send a strong message that we will tolerate the use of force to unilaterally change the status quo, as evidenced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine…that we will protect international order based on the rule of law,” Kishida said . the Japan Times in April.

“We will not allow Russia to deal with nuclear weapons.”

Since the 1945 bombing, Hiroshima has been rebuilt as Japan’s 10th newest city.