Japan marks 72nd anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bombing amid tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea

[caption id="attachment_3900031" align="alignleft" width="940"] Japan on Sunday marked 72 years of the world’s first nuclear attack on Hiroshima, with the nation’s traditional contradictions over atomic weapons again coming into focus. AP[/caption][caption id="attachment_3900033" align="alignleft" width="940"] The bombings claimed the lives of 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 74,000 people in Nagasaki. Some died immediately, while others succumbed to radiation-related illnesses weeks, months and years later. AP[/caption][caption id="attachment_3900035" align="alignleft" width="940"] Japanese officials have criticised the UN Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty as deepening a divide between countries with and without nuclear arms. None of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons took part in the negotiations or vote on the treaty. AP[/caption][caption id="attachment_3900037" align="alignleft" width="940"] The anniversary came after Japan sided with nuclear powers Britain, France and the US to dismiss a UN treaty banning atomic weapons, which was rejected for ignoring the security threats such as North Korea. Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, in 1945. AP[/caption][caption id="attachment_3900039" align="alignleft" width="940"] Many in Japan feel the attacks amount to war crimes and atrocities because they targeted civilians and due to the unprecedented destructive nature of the weapons. But many Americans believe they hastened the end of a bloody conflict, and ultimately saved lives, thus justifying the bombings. AP[/caption]