Lanterns with faint lights were floated on the Motoyasu River in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima's Naka Ward on Aug. 6 as symbols of prayers for the souls of victims of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city in 1945.

       As was the case last year, general participation was prohibited in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Instead, the event organizers' executive committee and volunteers floated 17 lanterns with various messages including ones that read, "Passing on the memory of Hiroshima," and, "May peace be on earth."

       People are seen floating lanterns on the Motoyasu River to pray for peace in Hiroshima's Naka Ward on Aug. 6, 2021. The event ended before sunset to avoid crowds as a measure against the coronavirus. (Mainichi/Naohiro Yamada)

       The event was originally held by store owners of the local shopping district shortly after World War II, and about 7,000 lanterns are floated in usual years.

       Yoshiko Kubo, 81, who was on a walk in the neighborhood, was exposed to radiation from the bomb at the age of 5, about 3.5 kilometers from the hypocenter. "My house was destroyed by the atomic bomb, but I think we were lucky, as our whole family survived. I'm just happy that we can float the lanterns like this. I hope this peace will continue forever," she said.

       (Japanese original by Hanami Matsumuro, Okayama Bureau)

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