Akshata Murty and Jill Biden were sombre as they led G7 leaders’ partners’ at a moving memorial for atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima, Japan – where the Summit begins today.
The wife of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Britta Ernst and Ursula von der Leyen”s husband Heiko also appeared emotional as they laid down wreaths at Peace Memorial Park, which commemorates the approximated 135,000 civilians who were killed by the 1945 nuclear blast – with another 69,000 injured.
Japan’s First Lady Yuko Kishida was also present, bowing at the cenotaph which marked the tragedy.
Rishi Sunak‘s wife, 43, appeared especially moved as she walked over to the site, looking solemn before the flowers were laid down.
But there appeared to be a moment of levity after the poignant ritual as the partners smiled while making their way back from the park.
Akshata Murty and Jill Biden were sombre today as they led G7 leaders’ partners’ at a moving memorial for atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima, Japan
Rishi Sunak’s wife, 43, appeared especially emotional as she walked over to the site, looking solemn before the flowers were laid down
Yuko, 58, appeared in high spirits as she spoke with Jill, 71 – who was born only six years after the bombings – appearing engaged in their conversation.
The US’s First Lady – whose husband Joe Biden won’t apologise for the United States’ use of the atomic bomb on the city – and also Nagasaki – during World War II on the trip – wore an all-navy ensemble for the visit.
Britta, 62, opted for dark tones in a black overcoat, worn over a white dress, while Yuko and Akshata wore white and beige hues for their appearances.
Heiko, 67, also wore darker hues in a black and blue suit as he paid his respects.
Their partners had also participated in a wreath laying on their Friday morning tour of Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Memorial Museum.
On the first morning of the G7, the leaders toured the museum at the memorial.
While there, Joe Biden, 80, met with Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha or an atomic bomb survivor. She was eight years old on August 6, 1945.
The G7 leaders – which include the heads of the United States, the European Union, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Japan – then took a moment to stand at the memorial to pay their respects. Many bowed their heads.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, whose family is from Hiroshima, was seen speaking to them and pointing out parts of the park.
The wife of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Britta Ernst and Ursula von der Leyen”s husband Heiko also appeared emotional as they laid down wreaths at Peace Memorial Park. Pictured from left to right: Akshata Murty, Jill Biden, Yuko Kishida, Britta Ernst and Heiko von der Leyen
The partners of G7 leaders – which include the heads of the United States, the European Union, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Japan – then took a moment to stand at their memorial to pay their respects
On the first morning of the G7, the leaders and their partners toured the museum at the memorial
There appeared to be a moment of levity after the poignant ritual as the partners smiled while making their way back from the park
Japan’s First Lady Yuko Kishida was also present, bowing at the cenotaph which marked the tragedy
The partners of the G7 Summit made a solemn appearance as they visited a memorial site this morning
They also posed for a group photo in front of the memorial before moving further down the park to participate in a tree-planting ceremony.
Each leader was given a golden shovel and dropped one shovelful of dirt around the cherry tree, which was planted to mark their visit.
‘Through their visit to the Peace Memorial Park, the G7 leaders deepened their understanding of the reality of the atomic bombings and joined their hearts in consoling the souls of lost lives,’ Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
‘The G7 leaders reiterated their position that threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone its use are inadmissible.
‘We are convinced that this visit became an opportunity to confirm G7’s commitment to the realisation of a world without nuclear weapons,’ the ministry said.
Each leader was given a golden shovel and dropped one shovelful of dirt around the cherry tree, which was planted to mark their visit. Pictured laying down wreaths
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty were welcomed by Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko
Fumio Kishida, pictured left, whose family is from Hiroshima, was seen speaking to leaders and pointing out parts of the park
The world leaders are gathering at a time Russia is threatening to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and North Korea has been conducting tests of nuclear missiles
Since the bombing in 1945, Hiroshima has been rebuilt to become Japan’s 10th latest city, and is where this week’s summit is hosted
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden were welcomed by Japan’s Prime Minister as the summit begins today
The world leaders are gathering at a time Russia is threatening to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and North Korea has been conducting tests of nuclear missiles.
‘We need to send out a strong message that we will note tolerate the use of force to change the status quo unilaterally as witnessed with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine … that we will protect the international order based on rule of law,’ Kishida told the Japan Times in April.
‘We won’t allow the treat of nuclear weapons by Russia.’
Since the bombing in 1945, Hiroshima has been rebuilt to become Japan’s 10th latest city.
