Latest news with #memorialceremony
South China Morning Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
All eyes on Beijing as Taiwan set to attend Japan's atomic bomb memorials for first time
Taiwan is set to join Japan's memorial ceremonies next month for the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, marking the island's first-ever participation in the annual events. Advertisement Observers said Beijing was likely to take a dim view of the matter, though the scale of its response might depend on the rank of the Taiwanese attendees. Nagasaki mayor Shiro Suzuki said on Saturday that the city had accepted Taiwan's request to attend its August 9 ceremony in memory of the victims of the 1945 US bombing, reversing a previous decision. The city, which triggered controversy last year for excluding Israel because of its actions in the Gaza Strip, has invited all countries and regions with diplomatic missions or UN representative offices in Japan to this year's event. 02:32 Atomic bomb survivors renew call for nuclear weapons ban after Nobel Peace Prize win Atomic bomb survivors renew call for nuclear weapons ban after Nobel Peace Prize win Japanese media reports said although Suzuki had asserted in May that Taiwan did not fall into either of those categories, the island's expression of desire to attend the August 9 ceremony had prompted the city to consider ways to accommodate its request.
NHK
22-06-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Japan marks 80th anniversary of Battle of Okinawa
Japan's southwestern prefecture of Okinawa will hold a memorial ceremony on Monday to remember those who perished during fierce ground fighting 80 years ago at the end of World War Two. More than 200,000 people lost their lives during the Battle of Okinawa, including roughly one in four of the prefecture's residents at that time. Okinawa Prefecture recognizes June 23, 1945, as the day when Japan's now-defunct Imperial military ended organized combat against US forces in the battle. The memorial ceremony is held annually on this day at Peace Memorial Park in the city of Itoman, the last intense battlefield. Accounts of what occurred during the Battle of Okinawa have been passed down from generation to generation based on stories shared by survivors. But people now have few opportunities to listen directly to them. Some are even disputing the veracity of parts of the history. Against this backdrop, efforts are underway to let people know more about what really happened. They include using physical remnants from the battle, such as the headquarters built by the Japanese military under Shuri Castle. Another initiative involves introducing digital materials in peace education. Okinawa still hosts about 70 percent of the US military facilities in Japan. Last year, the prefecture saw a record number of individuals linked to the US military who were suspected by investigative authorities of committing criminal offenses. The prefecture's role and burden in ensuring Japan's security are continuing to grow. The central government is trying to reinforce the defense of the southwestern islands, including Okinawa.
NHK
16-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Ukraine to take part in Hiroshima atomic bomb memorial with or without Russia
NHK has learned that Ukraine plans to take part in this year's atomic bomb memorial ceremony in Hiroshima regardless of whether or not Russia will attend. Japan's public broadcaster contacted embassies and other facilities of some countries and regions, including those involved in conflicts, to ask whether they will attend the August 6 event. This year marks 80 years since the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Russia's embassy told NHK that it will consider what to do after receiving an announcement of the event from Hiroshima City. The Ukrainian embassy said it is regrettable if the city sends the announcement to Russia and Belarus as well. But it indicated it will attend the ceremony, saying paying respects to victims is what matters most. Israel, Palestine and Belarus said they could not comment because they had not received the announcement. Two G7 nations, Britain and France, plan to take part. The United States and Germany said they could not yet comment. Hiroshima will send its announcement of the annual ceremony to all countries and regions that have diplomatic channels with Japan. The city cites the need for calling on more countries and regions to abolish nuclear weapons.
