Kazumi Matsui

Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday as its mayor urged world leaders to follow in US President Barack Obama's footsteps and visit, and ultimately rid the world of nuclear arms.

Forecasts of more heavy rains in western Japan raised the risk Friday of further landslides in Hiroshima, hindering efforts to locate dozens of people still missing after hills around the city collapsed earlier this week.

Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Saturday as its mayor urged world leaders to follow in US President Barack Obama's footsteps and visit, and ultimately rid the world of nuclear arms.

Forecasts of more heavy rains in western Japan raised the risk Friday of further landslides in Hiroshima, hindering efforts to locate dozens of people still missing after hills around the city collapsed earlier this week.