The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Tokyo

Nagasaki's mayor commemorated the 63rd anniversary of the world's second atomic bomb attack on Saturday with a call for stricter measures against North Korea, Pakistan and Israel for their possession of nuclear weapons. A moment of silence was observed throughout Nagasaki in southern Japan at 11:02 a.m., the time in 1945 when a U.S. B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb on the city, killing about 74,000 people. The attack came three days after an atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, killing at least 140,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending World War II. Mayor Tomihisa Taue called for the abolishment of nuclear weapons, saying the United States and Russia should take the lead. "We also demand that the United Nations and international society do not ignore the nuclear weapons of North Korea, Pakistan, and Israel, as well as the suspicions of nuclear development by Iran, but take stern measures against these countries," he said.

Taue spoke to thousands of people attending the ceremony in Nagasaki's Peace Park. As he finished his remarks, doves were released and circled above the park, where colorful strings of origami cranes had been hung by local children.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda also spoke, emphasizing Japan's long-standing policy of not possessing, developing or allowing nuclear weapons on its soil, as he had three days earlier at a ceremony in Hiroshima.

The anniversary comes as Japan warily eyes shifting nuclear alliances in other parts of the globe. Tokyo has expressed concern over an American nuclear accord with India that would reverse more than three decades of U.S. policy barring the sale of nuclear fuel and technology to countries that have not signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

India has tested nuclear weapons but has not signed the nonproliferation treaty or the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Taue on Saturday repeated calls by Japanese officials for India to participate in both treaties.