Japan marks 80 years since the Hiroshima atomic bomb Japan marks 80 years since the U.S.’s World War II nuclear attack on Hiroshima. The number of atomic bomb survivors is dwindling, as wars and global instability pose a growing challenge to Japan’s pacifists. (Per Ole Hagen | Getty Images)But, by contrast, leaders of nuclear weapons states and self-described “realists” believe it is the deterrent power of nuclear weapons that has prevented their use. The international treaty, which would make it illegal to develop, possess or use nuclear weapons, has been signed and ratified by 73 states parties, none of which are nuclear weapons states. Toby Dalton says that, at the end of the day, non-nuclear states have no way to compel nuclear weapons states to give up their nukes.