Japan marks 80 years since Hiroshima bombing

Japan marked 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Wednesday. A silent prayer was held at 8:15 AM local time the moment. On a sweltering morning, hundreds of black-clad officials, students and survivors laid flowers at the memorial cenotaph, with the ruins of a domed building in the background, a stark reminder of the horrors that unfolded.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated it was Japan's mission "to take the lead... toward a world without nuclear weapons". He added "They must never repeat the devastation brought upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki,".