Hiroshima marks 80 years since atomic bombing by United States with silent prayers and stark warnings

702's Bongani Bingwa chats with international correspondent Adam Gilchrist.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

Japan observed a moment of silence on Wednesday to commemorate 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. 

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba joined global dignitaries at the Peace Memorial Park, where the city’s mayor, Kazumi Matsui, warned of growing global militarisation and the renewed acceptance of nuclear weapons as a defence strategy.

More than 200,000 people reportedly died as a result of the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many from the immediate blasts and others from long-term radiation effects. 

Gilchrist says, interestingly, a huge number of the deceased were Korean.

"The Korean fatality rate was 57% compared to the overall rate of 33% and it was because many Koreans had been taken from Korea and became forced labour in Japanese arms factories in Hiroshima. Survivors say the cleanup of the body disposal was done almost entirely by Koreans. When some of them returned home, often burnt and disfigured, they were shunned by society because they didn't look like other Koreans." 

- Adam Gilchrist

"One survivor, he was three at the time, says they are not even asking for an apology or compensation, it's just acknowledgement of the part they played. And I confess, I had no idea until I read this report yesterday." 

- Adam Gilchrist

While over 70 countries have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Japan has not, citing its security ties with the United States.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.