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, which honours a radiologist from Nagasaki Medical College who lost his wife in the bombing.
“Dr Nagai Takashi lost his wife in the atomic bomb explosion. Despite facing deep grief and suffering from leukaemia due to radiation, he remained steadfast in treating severely injured victims. His life story became a symbol of humanity and courage in facing adversity,” the post on his Facebook page read.
During the trip, Mahathir addressed the Youth Peace Forum, where he urged young people to uphold peace and resolve conflicts through dialogue instead of war.
He also visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bombing Memorial at ground zero, where he met two survivors alongside Shigemitsu Tanaka, co-chairperson of a 2024 Nobel Peace Prize-winning group, Nihon Hidankyō.
The visit ended with a meeting with Nagasaki mayor Shiro Suzuki.
“Nagasaki is proof that war only brings destruction, while peace opens the way to progress and global prosperity. That is a trust we must preserve and pass on for the future of the next generation,” the post said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
