Accessibility links

Breaking News

Obama To Make Historic Visit To Hiroshima


Barack Obama is to visit Hiroshima this month -- the first serving U.S. president to travel to the site of the world's first atomic-bomb attack.

The White House said Obama would visit Hiroshima on May 27 as part of an Asian trip that will also take in Vietnam.

In Japan, Obama will also participate in his final Group of Seven summit.

The White House said on May 10 that the trip to Hiroshima was to "highlight his continued commitment to pursuing the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons."

However, it ruled out any apology for the bombing.

A U.S. B-29 bomber dropped a 15-kiloton nuclear bomb on the city on August 6, 1945, killing some 80,000 people instantly.

The bombing -- and a second one on Nagasaki three days later -- is credited with bringing an early end to World War II.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG