Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony leaves atomic bomb survivors confused and disappointed “It’s sad that we’re being swayed by international politics” and “The decision not to invite any specific countries feels strange．”
*Published on 8/9 (Fri) 13:10 The Nishinippon Shimbun It’s sad that a place to commemorate the victims and pledge peace is being swayed by international politics. On the 8th, confusion and disappointment spread among Nagasaki’s atomic bomb survivors and their children after major American and European countries reacted negatively to Nagasaki City’s decision not to invite Israel to the peace memorial ceremony and its ambassador to Japan decided not to attend. “We must not forget that the ceremony is a place to commemorate the victims of the atomic bomb.” Masakazu Masukawa (83), a survivor of the atomic bombing, spoke about this issue at a lecture held in the city. The ceremony will be held in front of the Peace Memorial Statue in Peace Park, which was constructed at the hypocenter of the explosion, and visitors from Japan and abroad will offer prayers. “I think Mayor Suzuki Shiro must have been worried about avoiding unnecessary trouble on such an important day,” he said, expressing understanding for the city’s decision not to invite the guests due to the risk of “unforeseen circumstances” such as protests. Hiromi Tanaka (92), representative of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo), who took part in the ceremony in Hiroshima on the 6th and arrived in Nagasaki on the 8th, said, “I agree with the opinion that countries that commit inhumane acts of aggression should not be invited.” Regarding the difference in responses, with Hiroshima city not inviting Palestine and Nagasaki city not inviting Israel, he said, “The decisions of local governments should be respected. On that basis, if a problem arises like this one, I would like the government to take the lead in resolving it.” Let Nagasaki be the last atomic bomb site. With this in mind, Shigemitsu Tanaka (83), chairman of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Victims Council, spoke to an audience of about 700 people on the 8th, emphasizing that “the devastation in Ukraine and Gaza is comparable to that of Nagasaki and Hiroshima 79 years ago.” He has attended the ceremony many times, and said in an interview, “It is extremely unfortunate that my decision to attend a ceremony praying for peace is being associated with war.” Seiichiro Mise (89), who will read out the “Pledge for Peace” at the ceremony on the 9th as a representative of the atomic bombing survivors, said, “I felt something was off about (Nagasaki City’s) decision not to invite any specific countries. “They should have carefully considered the international situation and the reactions of other countries.” Continue reading below.
> When problems like this arise, I want the government to take the initiative in resolving them. They just push the hassle onto the government and complain.
International Court of Justice issues advisory opinion saying Israel’s occupation of Palestine violates international law July 20, 2024 Rafi Berg, BBC News.
>>29 Instead, invite the parties to the conflict and have them pray for peace. Just to be clear, I don’t believe for a second that conflicts will end by simply praying.
The United States is Japan’s most important ally and partner. It is no good to continue such a sarcastic ceremony against a friendly country for decades. Instead, let’s establish an “Anti-Communist Day” to enlighten the public about anti-communism.
>>33 That’s what the mayor says. But since the media doesn’t report on it much, we don’t know what the situation is like at the ceremony. They should also interview those who are opposed.
They should just invite the Japanese players like England did and make them leave the stage early, to harass them. For example, they should make Israel and Iran, or England and Russia sit next to each other.
Nearly 80 years have passed, everyone is dead and everyone has forgotten, it’s just a performance. Look at the reality in front of you, lefties, Japan is already back to pre-war.
>>49 They said they didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble or conflict between Israelis and Arabs around the ceremony. They weren’t invited for political reasons.
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