Key Facts
• August 14, 1945: U.S. air raid struck a naval weapons factory in Hikari City, Japan.
• 738 student workers and 10 civilians lost their lives in the attack.
• August 14, 2025: Memorial ceremony held in Hikari City with 50 attendees.
• Moment of silence observed at 12:20 PM, the time of the air raid.
• High school students and families laid flowers, pledging to prevent future tragedies.
• Survivors and relatives shared emotional reflections on the impact of war.
• Separate memorial held at Nakamura Gakuen High School for 33 students killed in the raid.
• Only one survivor from the student workers attended this year due to aging.
• Annual ceremonies aim to promote lasting peace and honor the victims.
Summary
On August 14, 2025, a memorial ceremony was held in Hikari City, Japan, to honor the victims of a U.S. air raid on a naval weapons factory that occurred 80 years ago, on the eve of Japan’s surrender in World War II. The attack claimed 748 lives, including 738 student workers and 10 civilians. Approximately 50 attendees, including families and local high school students, observed a moment of silence at 12:20 PM, the time of the bombing. Flowers were laid, and participants pledged to prevent future wars. A separate ceremony at Nakamura Gakuen High School commemorated 33 students who perished in the same raid. Survivors and relatives shared emotional reflections, emphasizing the importance of peace. These annual events continue to serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of war and the need for global harmony.
