Nations and territories from a total of 107 will participate in the Nagasaki Peace Ceremony
The city of Nagasaki, Japan, has announced that Taiwan will participate in the Aug. 9 peace memorial ceremony for the first time. This decision marks a significant change from Nagasaki's previous policy, which excluded countries without official diplomatic missions in Japan or representative offices at the United Nations.
Initially, Taiwan was not invited due to its unique diplomatic status, but following expressions of interest and dissatisfaction, Nagasaki city reconsidered its stance. The mayor, Shiro Suzuki, indicated in early June that the city was exploring ways to accommodate Taiwan's request. The approval was communicated to Taiwan, though the exact timing and details of Taiwan's response were not publicly disclosed.
This inclusion contrasts with Hiroshima's approach, which from this year has shifted to welcoming all nations and regions to its memorial, including Taiwan after it expressed interest.
The number of attending countries and regions is set to exceed the record high of 100, set last year. As of now, a total of 107 countries and regions, including the European Union, are expected to attend. However, it is not clear if the number includes the 107 previously mentioned. The city of Nagasaki has not made an official announcement about the final number of countries and regions that will attend the ceremony.
The peace memorial ceremony, held annually in the southwestern Japan city of Nagasaki, commemorates the atomic bombing that occurred in 1945. The city is making preparations to share its hope for lasting world peace and sympathy for the victims of the atomic bombing with people from around the world.
Invitations and notices for the Nagasaki peace memorial ceremony were sent out in June to diplomatic missions of countries and regions with diplomatic relations with Japan, as well as to 38 other countries and regions with permanent missions to the United Nations. The city did not specify the total number of countries and regions that received invitations or notices.
[1] The Japan Times, Taiwan to participate in Nagasaki's atomic bomb memorial for the first time, June 27, 2023. [2] Kyodo News, Nagasaki to allow Taiwan to attend atomic bomb memorial for first time, June 27, 2023. [3] Asahi Shimbun, Nagasaki to allow Taiwan to attend atomic bomb memorial for first time, June 27, 2023.
In light of Taiwan's expressed interest and dissatisfaction, Nagasaki city reconsidered its decision to exclude Taiwan from the peace memorial ceremony, choosing to share the message of hope for lasting world peace with a wider audience, including Taiwan. The mayor, Shiro Suzuki, indicated this change in stance in early June.
Despite Hiroshima's approach of welcoming all nations and regions, Nagasaki's new policy only extends to a select group of countries and regions, with the exact number yet to be officially announced.
