Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida strongly condemned Russia's recent threats to use nuclear weapons during a ceremony commemorating the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

Kishida emphasized Japan's commitment to a nuclear-free world and called for international support in achieving this goal. The prime minister's remarks echoed those of UN Chief Antonio Guterres, who also denounced the use of nuclear weapons.

The ceremony, attended by survivors, family members, and dignitaries from 111 countries, focused on honoring the victims of the bombings and urging for world peace. Russia and Belarus were notably absent from the event due to ongoing tensions over the Ukraine crisis. Kishida, who hosted the G7 summit in Hiroshima earlier this year, has been pushing for nuclear disarmament on the global agenda.

However, progress has been hindered by Russia's nuclear threats, North Korea's missile tests, and the lack of support for non-proliferation efforts. To further emphasize the urgency of the issue, over 100 medical journals worldwide recently called for immediate action to eliminate nuclear weapons, citing the increasing risk of a nuclear catastrophe.

The commemoration coincided with the release of the film "Oppenheimer," which chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, one of the creators of atomic weapons. However, the film has faced controversy in Japan for downplaying the destruction caused by the bombings.

As the world reflects on the tragic events of 78 years ago, it serves as a reminder of the importance of nuclear disarmament and the lasting consequences of nuclear warfare.