The Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty: first legally binding effort to prohibit nuclear arms
Global spending on nuclear weapons has risen to a record $119bn for 2025, with the US accounting for the largest share. ICAN warns that this surge comes as disarmament commitments waver. SIPRI notes rising deployment and modernization across major powers.
Survivors and officials mark the Nagasaki and Hiroshima anniversaries while Japan debates its nuclear policy. Leaders reaffirm non-nuclear principles while signals of policy shifts surface amid regional tension and calls for a clear stance.
Survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have long called for abolishing nuclear weapons, stressing lessons from the past. The 81st anniversaries are marked as Japan grapples with security debates amid contrasting government positions on nuclear deterrence. Attendees include dozens of countries; debate continues over Japan’s nuclear policy and the U.S. security umbrella.