The horror of nuclear war has been highlighted by world leaders attending the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
Hiroshima, Japan- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has sought to use the G7 summit in Japan to highlight the horrors of nuclear war and promote his vision of a nuclear-free world.
On Friday, the leaders of the G7 and the European Union visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which commemorates the victims of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima by US forces on August 6, 1945.
At the museum, which contains graphic descriptions of the devastation wrought by the world’s first nuclear attack, G7 leaders signed the visitor’s guest book.
Below are the messages the leaders wrote:
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
As President of the G7, I gather here with the leaders of the G7 countries on this historic occasion of the G7 Summit to bring about a nuclear-free world.
US President Joe Biden
May the stories of this museum remind us all of our commitments to building a future of peace. Let’s continue to make progress together towards the day when we can finally and forever rid the world of nuclear weapons. Keep the faith!
French President Emmanuel Macron
With emotion and compassion, it is up to us to contribute to the duty of remembrance of the victims of Hiroshima and to stand for peace, the only struggle [the fight] that deserves to be fought.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
This place is a reminder of unimaginable suffering. Today, together with our partners, we renew our commitment to protect peace and freedom with all determination. Nuclear war must never be waged again.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Today we stand still and remain in prayer. Today we remember that darkness did not prevail. Today we remember the past to build a hopeful future together.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom
Shakespeare tells us to “give words to sorrow”. Yet the language fails in the face of the bomb’s flash. No words can describe the horror and suffering of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But what we can say, with all our heart and all our soul, is no more.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council
An immense tragedy took place here almost 80 years ago. It reminds us what we – as G7 – defend. And why we defend it. Peace and freedom. Because it is what all people want most.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
What happened in Hiroshima still haunts humanity. It is a clear reminder of the terrible cost of war – and our eternal duty to protect and keep the peace.