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Images: Japan marks 70th anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing

HIROSHIMA, Japan - Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Thursday, with Mayor Kazumi Matsui renewing calls for U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders to step up efforts toward making a nuclear-weapons-free world.

Tens of thousands of people stood for a minute of silence at 8:15 a.m. at a ceremony in Hiroshima's peace park near the epicenter of the 1945 attack, marking the moment of the blast. Then dozens of doves were released as a symbol of peace.

The U.S. bomb, "Little Boy," the first nuclear weapon used in war, killed 140,000 people. A second bomb, "Fat Man," dropped over Nagasaki three days later, killed another 70,000, prompting Japan's surrender in World War II.

The U.S. dropped the bombs to avoid what would have been a bloody ground assault on the Japanese mainland, following the fierce battle for Japan's southernmost Okinawan islands, which took 12,520 American lives and an estimated 200,000 Japanese, about half civilians.

Matsui called nuclear weapons "the absolute evil and ultimate inhumanity" that must be abolished, and criticized nuclear powers for keeping them as threats to achieve their national interests. He said the world till bristles with more than 15,000 nuclear weapons.

He renewed an invitation to world leaders to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki to see the scars themselves, during the G-7 summit in Japan next year.

"President Obama and other policymakers, please come to the A-bombed cities, hear the hibakusha (surviving victims) with your own ears, and encounter the reality of the atomic bombings," he said. "Surely, you will be impelled to start discussing a legal framework, including a nuclear weapons convention."

The anniversary comes as Japan is divided over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to pass unpopular legislation to expand the country's military role internationally, a year after his Cabinet's decision to loosen Japan's war-renouncing constitution by adopting a new interpretation of it.

"We must establish a broad national security framework that does not rely on use of force but is based on trust," Matsui said. He urged the Japanese government to stick with "the pacifism of the Japanese Constitution" to lead the global effort of no proliferation.

Abe, also addressing the ceremony, said that as the sole country to face a nuclear attack, Japan had a duty to push for the elimination of nuclear weapons. He pledged to promote the cause through international conferences to be held in Hiroshima later this month.

With the average age of survivors now exceeding 80 for the first time this year, passing on their stories is considered an urgent task. There were 5,359 hibakusha who died over the past year, bringing the total death toll from the Hiroshima bombing to 297,684.

U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and representatives from more than 100 countries, including Britain, France and Russia, attended the ceremony.

"Little Boy," dropped from the Enola Gay B-29 bomber, destroyed 90 percent of the city. A "black rain" of radioactive particles followed the blinding blast and fireball, and has been linked to higher rates of cancer and other radiation-related diseases among the survivors.

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 1945 file photo, soldiers and civilians walk through the grim remains of Hiroshima, two days after the atomic bomb explosion of Aug. 6,1945. The building on left with columned facade was the Hiroshima Bank. To its right, with arched front entrance, was the Sumitomo Bank. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo)
FILE - In this Aug. 6, 1945 file photo, shortly after the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare was dropped by the United States over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, survivors are seen as they receive emergency treatment by military medics in Hiroshima, Japan. The explosion instantly killed more than 60,000 people, with ten of thousands others dying later from effects of the radioactive fallout. (AP Photo)
FILE - In this Sept. 8, 1945 file photo, only a handful of buildings remain standing amid the wasteland of Hiroshima, the Japanese city reduced to rubble following the first atomic bomb to be dropped in warfare. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo/File)
FILE - In this Sept. 8, 1945 file photo, two people walk on a cleared path through the destruction resulting from the Aug. 6 detonation of the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima, western Japan. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 6, 1945 file photo, shortly after the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare was dropped by the United States over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, survivors are seen as they receive emergency treatment by military medics in Hiroshima, Japan. The explosion instantly killed more than 60,000 people, with ten of thousands others dying later from effects of the radioactive fallout. (AP Photo)
FILE - In this Aug. 8, 1945 file photo, soldiers and civilians walk through the grim remains of Hiroshima, two days after the atomic bomb explosion of Aug. 6,1945. The building on left with columned facade was the Hiroshima Bank. To its right, with arched front entrance, was the Sumitomo Bank. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo)
FILE - In this Aug. 8, 1945 file photo, the shell of a building stands amid acres of rubble in this view of the Japanese city of Hiroshima. On Aug. 6, 1945, a U.S. plane dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the first nuclear weapon has been used in war. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II. (AP Photo/Mitsugi Kishida, File)
Children release paper lanterns to the Motoyasu River where hundreds of thousands of atomic bombing victims died with the backdrop of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paper lanterns float along the Motoyasu River in front of the illuminated Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A woman offers prayers as she releases paper lanterns with other citizens to the Motoyasu River where hundreds of thousands of atomic bombing victims died with the backdrop of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A girl holds a paper lantern as she prepares to release it to the Motoyasu River where hundreds of thousands of atomic bombing victims died with the backdrop of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Paper lanterns float along the Motoyasu River in front of the illuminated Atomic Bomb Domein Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A girls wearing yukata or summer kimono prepares to release paper lanterns to the Motoyasu River where hundreds of thousands of atomic bombing victims died with the backdrop of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A girl wearing yukata or summer kimono prepares to release a paper lantern to the Motoyasu River where hundreds of thousands of atomic bombing victims died with the backdrop of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Children offer prayers as after releasing paper lanterns to the Motoyasu River where hundreds of thousands of atomic bombing victims died with the backdrop of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A boy offers prayer as after releasing a paper lantern into the Motoyasu River where hundreds of thousands of atomic bombing victims died with the backdrop of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary Thursday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Atomic Bomb Dome is seen during the ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the bombing at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Visitors pray for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
A member of a rightist group speaks during a rally near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015 on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Members of a rightist group offer silent prayers for the victims of the atomic bombing with anti-U.S. banner near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Thursday. The banner reads " U.S. should apologize massacre of Japanese!, " top, and "There's no statute of limitations for the atomic bombing and air raid on Tokyo." (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Visitors pray for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Buddhist monks pray for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, early Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
A man prays for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan early Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Police officers both in uniform and in plainclothes, offer silent prayers for the victims of the atomic bombing near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Thursday, with Mayor Kazumi Matsui renewing calls for U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders to step up efforts toward making a nuclear weapons free world. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
A boy prays for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, early Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe carries a wreath to offer in front of the cenotaph during the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. The anniversary comes as Japan is divided over Abe's push to pass unpopular legislation to expand the country's military role internationally. (Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT
A protester in front of Atomic Bomb Dome observes a minute of silence for the victims of the atomic bombing, at 8:15 a.m., the time atomic bomb exploded over the city, in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Kazumi Matsui, right, mayor of Hiroshima, and the family of the deceased bow before they place the victims list of the Atomic Bomb at Hiroshima Memorial Cenotaph during the ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the bombing at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A woman gets teary-eyed as she prays for the victims of the atomic bombing at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan early Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan is marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. (Kyodo Photo via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT
A woman grieves in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan, early Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Visitors pray for the atomic bomb victims at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers his speech during the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. The anniversary comes as Japan is divided over Abe's push to pass unpopular legislation to expand the country's military role internationally. (Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT
Visitors pray for the atomic bomb victims in front of the cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, western Japan early Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
Member of a rightist group offer silent prayers for the victims of the atomic bombing with anti-U.S. banners near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. Japan marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Thursday. A banner, left, reads " Is U.S. righteous? human rights? Don't make a fool of victims!" (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
This reconnaissance photo from 1945 provided by the Museum of World War II Boston shows targeting information for the atomic bombing mission to Hiroshima. An original copy of the operations order for dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima is on display at the private museum in the Boston suburbs as the deadly attack marks its 70th anniversary. (Museum of World War II Boston via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
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