US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel will not attend Nagasaki's peace ceremony due to Israel's exclusion from the annual commemoration of the 1945 atomic bombing of the city, the embassy confirmed. The ceremony, set to take place at Nagasaki Peace Park on Friday, will see diplomats from over 100 countries observing a minute of silence to mark the tragic event.
Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki cited security concerns as the reason for Israel's exclusion, despite warnings from Western nations about potential implications for their own ambassadors' attendance. Ambassadors from France, Germany, Italy, the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union expressed concerns in a letter to the mayor, stating that excluding Israel could impact high-level participation in the event.
Britain, Germany, and Italy have also decided not to send their ambassadors to Nagasaki, as confirmed by their respective embassies. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 led to Japan's surrender in World War II but resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people due to immediate and long-term effects of radiation.
While Hiroshima invited the Israeli ambassador to its ceremony earlier this week, Nagasaki's decision to exclude Israel has sparked controversy. The move has been criticized by some, including US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, who called the decision political and announced his absence from the ceremony.
In response, Mayor Suzuki reiterated that the exclusion was not politically motivated but aimed at ensuring a smooth and peaceful ceremony. He expressed regret over the US ambassador's decision and emphasized the importance of maintaining a solemn atmosphere during the event.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi noted that while the foreign affairs ministry had been in communication with Nagasaki, local authorities have the final say in organizing such events. The situation highlights the delicate balance between diplomatic considerations and the need to uphold the solemnity of historical commemorations.
