KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad visited Nagasaki earlier this month to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
From Aug 8 to 11, Mahathir began his visit at the Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum, dedicated to a radiologist from Nagasaki Medical College who lost his wife in the bombing.
He also paid his respects at the Nagasaki Atomic Bombing Memorial at ground zero, where he met two survivors together with Shigemitsu Tanaka, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyō, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation. The visit concluded with a meeting with Nagasaki mayor Shiro Suzuki.
“Dr Nagai Takashi lost his wife in the atomic bombing. Despite his grief and his own battle with radiation-induced leukaemia, he continued to treat severely injured victims. His story stands as a testament to humanity and resilience in the face of tragedy,” read a post on Mahathir’s Facebook page.
“Nagasaki is a reminder that war only brings devastation, while peace paves the way for progress and global prosperity. This is a trust we must safeguard and pass on to future generations,” the post added.
During his trip, Mahathir also addressed the Youth Peace Forum, urging young people to champion peace and resolve conflicts through dialogue rather than violence.
