Hiroshima: Japanese leaders renewed calls for a world without nuclear weapons as Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Wednesday. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed his country's commitment to global nuclear disarmament and said Japan is the only nation to suffer atomic bombings during war, broadcaster NHK reported. According to Anadolu Agency, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his resolve to preserve the memories of the atomic bombings by visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. He emphasized the importance of passing these memories down to future generations to ensure they are not forgotten. During a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima City, he offered sincere condolences to the spirits of those who lost their lives 80 years ago when Hiroshima was devastated by the atomic bomb. The ceremony began at 8.15 am local time, marking the exact moment the US dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The attack destroyed the city and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. In the following decades, thousands more suffered from illnesses related to radiation exposure. This year, the ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park was attended by approximately 55,000 people. Hiroshima Mayor Matsui Kazumi contributed to the commemoration by placing an updated list of victims in the park's cenotaph, which now includes 349,246 names. In his peace declaration, Kazumi called on global leaders to visit Hiroshima to witness the destruction caused by nuclear weapons. He advocated for the establishment of a new international security framework based on dialogue and trust. With the number of surviving victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki dwindling to fewer than 100,000 and their average age exceeding 86, officials and activists are emphasizing the urgency of preserving their stories for future generations.