Hiroshima City to review invitation criteria for Peace Memorial Ceremony in preparation for 80th anniversary of A-bombing
Jul. 17, 2024
by Keiichi Nobira, Staff Writer
On July 16, the city of Hiroshima announced its intention to review its invitation criteria for foreign government representatives (currently limited to national governments) for the Peace Memorial Ceremony held on the anniversary of the atomic bombing. This review will be conducted in preparation for the 80th anniversary of the A-bombing next year.
The city has been sending invitations to the ceremony to the ambassadors of all countries with embassies in Japan since 2006. However, this year, while the city invited a government representative from Israel, a country currently attacking the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, it excluded the Palestinian Authority. This led the Permanent General Mission of Palestine to Japan in Tokyo to criticize the city’s response on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
At a press conference on July 16, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui emphasized, “It’s by no means possible to invite everyone from around the world, but we are not trying to categorize those we invite and those we don’t.” Then he explained, “I want people around the world to fully understand Hiroshima’s feelings and the city’s stance to be clearly communicated.”
(Originally published on July 17, 2024)
On July 16, the city of Hiroshima announced its intention to review its invitation criteria for foreign government representatives (currently limited to national governments) for the Peace Memorial Ceremony held on the anniversary of the atomic bombing. This review will be conducted in preparation for the 80th anniversary of the A-bombing next year.
The city has been sending invitations to the ceremony to the ambassadors of all countries with embassies in Japan since 2006. However, this year, while the city invited a government representative from Israel, a country currently attacking the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, it excluded the Palestinian Authority. This led the Permanent General Mission of Palestine to Japan in Tokyo to criticize the city’s response on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
At a press conference on July 16, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui emphasized, “It’s by no means possible to invite everyone from around the world, but we are not trying to categorize those we invite and those we don’t.” Then he explained, “I want people around the world to fully understand Hiroshima’s feelings and the city’s stance to be clearly communicated.”
(Originally published on July 17, 2024)
