As Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a ceremony to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Sunday, hundreds of protesters gathered around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park protesting against his administration's policies.

They held banners and shouted slogans like "Oppose war and Constitution revision" and "Abe shall step down." 

Sunday marked 72 years since the first-ever atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. A ceremony is held every year to comfort the spirits of the atomic bomb victims and pray for everlasting peace.

Over 50,000 people attended the commemoration ceremony, including survivors of the attack, their descendants, peace activists and representatives from some 80 countries and regions. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a speech at the ceremony.

The protesters held a demonstration clamoring against Abe visiting Hiroshima.

Citing that Abe made no mention of the historical background for the atomic bombings or Japan's aggressive war against its neighbors, a protester noted that as the prime minister of Japan, he should admit the responsibility.

Another protester said that the real intention of the Abe administration is to push for war.