Japan remembers Hiroshima attack

Japan marks the 64 year anniversary of the Hiroshima nuclear attack with remembrance ceremonies.

It is estimated that the blast in 1945 initially killed 70,000 people and that the after-effects of the explosion had caused the deaths of a further 70,000 by the end of the year.

At a remembrance service Japanese Prime Minister, Taro Aso, reaffirmed the country's commitment to it's ban on nuclear weapons. Japan says that as the only country to suffer a nuclear attack they are in the best position to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

"I promise again that Japan will continue to adhere to its three non-nuclear principles and take the lead within the international community to abolish nuclear weapons and bring about lasting peace," said Mr Aso to elderly survivors and dignitaries at a memorial service.

Hiroshima's mayor, Tadatoshi Akiba, said "we call on the rest of the world to join forces with us to eliminate all nuclear weapons by 2020." at a ceremony in front of a bombed building preserved as Hiroshima's Peace Memorial. Approximatley 50,000 people attended the service including officials from around the World, however, the US had no official representation. Hundreds of white doves were released when the mayor's speech ended.