TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Representatives from Taiwan and other countries around the world converged on Hiroshima, Japan, on Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the first use of an atomic bomb.

On Aug. 6, 1945, the US dropped "Little Boy," destroying the city of Hiroshima and killing an estimated 140,000 people, per CNA. A memorial service is held annually, taking on added significance due to the advanced age of survivors (hibakusha).

Taiwan's representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋), attended the memorial at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park. He sat among world leaders and diplomats, exchanging greetings with US Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, before the ceremony began.

This year, representatives from approximately 120 countries and regions, including the European Union, attended the ceremony. The turnout broke the previous record of representatives from 111 countries and regions set in 2023.

More than 5,000 people participated in the ceremony, which included an address from the speaker of the Hiroshima City Assembly, wreath-laying, and a peace declaration by Hiroshima Mayor Matsui Kazumi.

Later in the ceremony, there was a moment of silence, the ringing of the Peace Bell, a release of doves, and finally the singing of a peace song.