Restored Nagasaki Bell Rings on 80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing

For the first time since the atomic bombing 80 years ago, the twin bells of Nagasaki’s Immaculate Conception Cathedral rang in unison on Saturday, marking the moment the city was devastated on August 9, 1945.

The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki at 11:02 a.m., three days after the Hiroshima attack, killing about 74,000 people in the southwestern port city. The bombing came just days before Japan’s surrender on August 15, ending World War II.

A moment of silence followed heavy morning rain, with Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki urging the world to “stop armed conflicts immediately,” warning of a looming nuclear threat to humanity. Survivors shared searing memories, including 93-year-old Hiroshi Nishioka, who recalled the “invisible terror” of radiation sickness claiming lives even after the war ended.

The cathedral — destroyed in the blast just a few hundred meters away — was rebuilt in 1959. Only one of its bells survived, leaving its northern tower silent for decades. This year, thanks to $125,000 raised by American Catholics led by Williams College professor James Nolan, a new bell was installed. It chimed alongside the original at the exact moment of the bombing.

Chief priest Kenichi Yamamura said the restored bell symbolizes “recognizing the wounds of the past and working together for peace.” The project also highlighted Nagasaki’s unique Christian history, including centuries of hidden worship under persecution and the loss of 8,500 parishioners in the bombing.

Nearly 100 countries took part in the anniversary events, with Israel returning after last year’s absence and Russia excluded since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Nolan said the bell’s unveiling this spring moved many to tears, both in Japan and the US. “It’s not just about remembering,” he said, “but about forgiveness and rebuilding.”