On September 12, 2025, Nagasaki’s Peace Park was the site of a moving and historic moment as Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and their daughter Princess Aiko paid solemn tribute to the victims of the atomic bombing that devastated the city 80 years ago. The imperial family’s presence marked not only a personal milestone—Naruhito’s first visit to Nagasaki since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne and Princess Aiko’s first ever—but also the culmination of a broader national remembrance in this 80th anniversary year of World War II’s end.
As the imperial motorcade made its way through Nagasaki, hundreds of residents lined the streets, waving small rising-sun flags and calling out the royals’ names. The Emperor, Empress, and Princess lowered their windows, responding with gentle waves and warm smiles. At the ground-zero memorial in the city’s peace park, they bowed deeply and offered bouquets of white flowers—a gesture laden with both sorrow and hope. The ceremony took place at the cenotaph, which holds the names of approximately 200,000 atomic bomb victims, a stark reminder of the immense human cost of war.
The United States dropped a plutonium bomb on Nagasaki at 11:02 a.m. on August 9, 1945, just three days after the uranium bomb destroyed Hiroshima. By the end of that year, more than 70,000 people in Nagasaki had perished, joining the 140,000 killed in Hiroshima. The bombings precipitated Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945, bringing an end to World War II and closing a painful chapter of nearly half a century of Japanese aggression in Asia.
For the imperial family, this visit was more than ceremonial. It was a deeply felt act of remembrance and a call to future generations. Emperor Naruhito has repeatedly emphasized the importance of keeping the memory of war’s tragedy alive. According to The Associated Press, he has said, “It is important to remember the victims and keep speaking of the tragedy of war to younger generations.” This sentiment was echoed by the survivors and citizens who gathered to witness the historic event.
Among those who met the imperial family was Shigemitsu Tanaka, an 84-year-old survivor and representative of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024. Tanaka expressed deep gratitude, remarking, “I felt they were standing by us war victims. I believe their visit in Nagasaki as a family was extremely meaningful.” His words captured the significance of the imperial family’s effort to connect with those who endured the unimaginable—and to honor the dwindling number of survivors whose average age now exceeds 86.
The family’s itinerary in Nagasaki extended beyond the memorial. They visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, where they observed exhibits and engaged with survivors and those working to preserve the memory of the attack. On September 13, they planned to visit a nursing home for atomic bomb survivors, offering further opportunities for direct dialogue and support. For Princess Aiko, these experiences were especially poignant. As Hideya Kawanishi, an associate professor at Nagoya University and expert on imperial affairs, told Kyodo News, “By having Princess Aiko come along, they likely wanted her to directly share in the experience and emotions of listening to the stories and seeing the exhibits.”
The visit to Nagasaki was the last in a series of commemorative journeys undertaken by the imperial family throughout 2025. Earlier in the year, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako honored the war dead on Iwoto Island (formerly Iwo Jima) in April, and in June, they traveled to Okinawa—accompanied by Princess Aiko for the first time—to pay respects to those lost in one of the war’s bloodiest battles. The family also visited Hiroshima and, in July, made a historic state visit to Mongolia to honor Japanese prisoners of war who died in internment camps there. These acts, according to Kawanishi, serve a vital public function: “For many Japanese today, the war has already faded from everyday awareness. But when the emperor or other members of the imperial family visit war sites, people take interest.”
Indeed, the imperial family’s active participation in these memorials echoes the legacy of Naruhito’s father, former Emperor Akihito, who was known for his own deep reflection on Japan’s wartime past. Though Naruhito did not experience the war himself, his commitment to “memorial visits” has stirred remembrance among the Japanese public and inspired a renewed pledge for peace. On his 65th birthday in February, the emperor expressed hope that the 80th anniversary of the war’s end would “serve as an occasion to renew a pledge for peace.” He also noted that the role of storytellers—those who pass on the memories of war—has become “more important than ever” and encouraged younger generations to actively learn about this history.
The emotional impact of the imperial family’s visit was palpable. In the evening, thousands of Nagasaki residents gathered on a building rooftop visible from the family’s hotel, holding up lanterns that they moved in unison as a gesture of welcome and appreciation. “I am pleased that the Emperor decided to visit Nagasaki as part of the 80th anniversary tour this year,” said Aoi Noguchi, a local resident who attended the lantern event with her family. “Through the interaction with the atomic bomb survivors, who are getting fewer and fewer in number, I hope their message of peace goes out to the world.” Another resident, Yoshinori Takase, described the occasion as rare and meaningful: “This is the first time for his family to visit, and I came to experience the atmosphere.”
The survivors themselves have not only endured physical and emotional scars but have also dedicated their lives to advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Despite decades-long grassroots campaigns, many have voiced frustration over the growing nuclear threat in recent years. Their stories, shared with the imperial family and the nation, highlight the urgent need for remembrance and action.
Looking ahead, the imperial couple planned to travel from Nagasaki to Sasebo to attend the opening ceremony of the National Cultural Festival on September 14, 2025, continuing their efforts to foster national unity and reflection. Princess Aiko, meanwhile, would return to Tokyo after the family’s visit to the nursing home, carrying with her the memories and lessons of Nagasaki.
As Japan marks eight decades since the end of World War II, the imperial family’s journey stands as a testament to the enduring power of remembrance. Their actions invite a nation—and the world—to reflect, to honor those lost, and to renew a collective commitment to peace.