Participants in the 2019 Hiroshima-Nagasaki service at Koyasan.
2025 marks 80 years since atomic bombs were detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki — the only times nuclear weapons have been used during warfare.
The American Society of Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Survivors (ASA) would like to invite the public to its 80th annual Commemoration Service for A-Bomb Victims and Survivors, which will be held on Sunday, Aug. 3, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Koyasan Buddhist Temple, 342 First St. in Little Tokyo.
“We look forward to seeing our friends and colleagues as we honor those who perished and support the survivors who are still with us,” event organizers said.
This year’s guest speaker will be Howard Kakita, a hibakusha who was less than a mile away from the hypocenter in Hiroshima when the bomb detonated. He will talk about his personal experience and share his thoughts on nuclear weapons.
In addition to Koyasan, ministers from Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, West Covina Buddhist Temple, and Zenshuji Soto Mission will take part in this year’s service. The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will deliver special messages via video.
This event will be emceed by ASA Directors Dr. Gloria Montebruno-Saller and Darrell Miho.
For questions, contact Miho at darrellmiho@gmail.com or Montebruno-Saller at gmontebrunophd@gmail.com.
ASA is a nonprofit organization that represents over 100 members from Hawaii and Los Angeles who have witnessed atrocities that cannot be imagined.
ASA’s hope is for peace in the world through the abolishment of all nuclear weapons so that no one else will ever experience the pain and suffering that its members have endured.