During Goeika chanting, the ceremony of entering the venue takes place with nine ministers from the Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Federation. (Cultural News Video)
Los Angeles, CA (Aug. 3, 2025) - The 80th Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombing Victims Memorial Service was solemnly held at Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin (Buddhist Temple) in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles.
In previous years, the memorial service had been hosted by Koyasan Buddhist Temple and the American Society of Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors (ASA). This year, marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, nine ministers from the Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Federation (LABTF) participated and joined together in prayers for peace. The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center also offered sponsorship for this year's event.
The service featured a special talk by Mr. Howard Kakita, a hibakusha (atomic bombing survivor), a joint Goeika chanting by Koyasan Eiyukai and Zenshuji Baikaryu, and video messages from Mayor Kazumi Matsui of Hiroshima and Mayor Shiro Suzuki of Nagasaki.
Following the service, atomic bombing survivors participated in a candlelight offering. The candles were lit from the Hiroshima Peace Flame, which has resided permanently at Koyasan Buddhist Temple since 1989.
This flame, which arrived shortly after the 1984 Summer Olympics torch, symbolizes peace and justice. It serves as a reminder that the tragedy of the bombings must never happen again. The flame is kept burning until all nuclear weapons are eradicated, with daily prayers offered by the priests.
The service concluded with an incense offering by all attendees. Approximately 120 people attended the ceremony, making it a deeply meaningful occasion in the U.S. to remember the victims of the atomic bombings in Japan.
After the memorial service, the Rotary Club of Little Tokyo provided sweets and refreshments to attendees and hosted a gathering focused on the theme of peace, initiated by Ms. Farrida Futouhi, who spent her childhood in Hiroshima in the 1950s.
Rev. Yuryu Mori of Koyasan Buddhist Temple transfer a flame from the container of the Hiroshima Peace Flame resided permanently at Koyasan Buddhist Temple sine 1989. (Cultural News Photo)
The 80th Commemorated Service of Atomic Bombing is concluded with an incense offering by all attendees at Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo. (Cultural News Photo)
After the 80th Commemorated Service of Atomic Bombing, members of Rotary Club of Little Tokyo including Ms. Farida Futouhi pose for photography with Rev. Yuryu Mori and Rev. Kaizan Kosaka of Koyasan Buddhist Temple. (Facebook/Farida Futouhi)
