Pope Francis, who is an advocate for nuclear disarmament, is in the city of Hiroshima to attend a gathering for peace.
Earlier in the day, the pontiff visited Nagasaki where he called for nuclear weapons to be abolished, saying they're "an affront crying out to heaven."
People in Nagasaki say the pope's message has strengthened their convictions to abolish nuclear weapons.
Nagasaki Governor Hodo Nakamura said, "Pope Francis showed us his belief that to attain true peace, many people must unite and work together, trusting one another."
An autumn event dating back more than 380 years has kicked off in Nagasaki City, southwestern Japan.
The Kunchi festival is designated as an important national intangible folk cultural asset.
NHK has learned that Pope Francis will likely issue a message calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons during his planned visit to the Japanese city of Nagasaki.
The Vatican announced last month that he will travel to the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during his 4-day trip to Japan. His visit starts on November 23.
Weather officials have issued an emergency warning for heavy rain in Saga, Fukuoka and Nagasaki prefectures in western Japan.
Torrential downpours triggered by a weather front have hit northern Kyushu.
Weather officials have issued an emergency warning for heavy rain in Saga, Nagasaki and Fukuoka prefectures in western Japan.
It's the highest alert level in the disaster warning scale of one to five.
People in Japan are remembering the atomic bombing of the city of Nagasaki during World War Two. Over the past 74 years, the city has come to symbolize loss, resilience and hope. In a ceremony, politicians and survivors called on people around the globe to do more to ensure the world never again experiences a nuclear tragedy.
From early in the morning, people came out to the Peace Park to remember the dead and share their wishes for peace.
Friday marks 74 years since an atomic bomb was dropped over Japan's western city of Nagasaki. At a memorial ceremony in the city, the mayor called on Japan's government to join a UN treaty on banning nuclear weapons.
The ceremony began at the city's Peace Park at 10:40 a.m. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended, along with survivors of the bombing, known as hibakusha. Families of those who died as a result of the attack also participated.
Friday marks 74 years since an atomic bomb was dropped over Japan's western city of Nagasaki. At a memorial service in the city, the mayor will call on Japan's government to join a UN treaty on banning nuclear weapons.
The service will begin at the city's Peace Park at 10:40 a.m. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will attend, along with survivors of the bombing, known as hibakusha. Families of those who died as a result of the attack will also be at the service.
A wooden cross found among the ruins of Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki after the 1945 atomic bombing has been returned to the city.
The cross was taken to the US by US Marine Walter Hooke, who was stationed in Nagasaki shortly after the war. He donated it to the Peace Resource Center at Wilmington College in Ohio.
Officials have issued evacuation orders for all of Goto city and a part of Sasebo city in Nagasaki Prefecture due to heavy rainfall.
Evacuation advisories are in place for all residents of Tsushima city, Shinkamigoto town, Ojika town and parts of Saikai city.
Japan's Meteorological Agency has lifted its highest-level emergency rain warning for Nagasaki Prefecture. But it calls on residents to remain on highest alert against landslides and other disasters.
Japan's Meteorological Agency has lifted its emergency rain warning for Goto in Nagasaki Prefecture.
The emergency warning for Tsushima continues.
Municipal officials have ordered all residents in the city of Goto, Nagasaki Prefecture, to evacuate as heavy rains continue to deluge the region.
The order applies to more than 36,000 people.