To use this site, please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page.
This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content, and analyzing our website traffic. By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies.
Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Nagasaki Peace Ceremony is held at Nagasaki Peace Park in Nagasaki in August, 2024.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
16:01 JST, May 9, 2025
NAGASAKI — The city of Nagasaki has announced it will invite representatives from all 157 countries and regions that have embassies or other diplomatic missions in Japan and the Delegation of the EU to Japan to a peace ceremony on Aug. 9, which marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.
Last year, the city did not invite Israel to the ceremony because of its continuing offensive in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, drawing backlash from countries including the United States. As a result, the ambassadors from six of the Group of Seven industrialized nations — the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Canada — along with the EU were absent from the ceremony. The city’s decision this year was closely watched.
From 2014, the city has, in principle, sent invitations to all ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives from countries and regions with embassies or diplomatic missions in Japan. However, the city has not invited Russia and Belarus since 2022 due to the former’s aggression against Ukraine and the latter’s support for Russia, citing the risk of unforeseen circumstances.
