People gathered at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Thursday to mourn the victims of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city, 81 years on.

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. About 140,000 people are estimated to have died by the end of 1945. Three days later, another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 74,000 people by the end of the year.

During the First Sino-Japanese War, Hiroshima served as the headquarters for Japan's military operations. During World War II, it was also a major military city with numerous military factories and served as a key base for Japanese forces deploying overseas. The United States said the atomic bombings were intended to hasten Japan's surrender.

For many years, Japan has portrayed itself as a victim of World War II, while rarely mentioning the historical background of the bombings or the immense suffering inflicted by Japanese militarism on China and other Asian countries during the war.

Now, Japanese media reports suggest the Takaichi administration is seeking to revise the country's Three Non-Nuclear Principles – not possessing, not producing and not allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory. The reported move has sparked widespread concern in Japan and across the international community.

(Photos via VCG)