TOKYO: Nagasaki’s mayor said on Thursday ( Aug 8 ) it was “unfortunate” that the United States ‘ and United Kingdom’s ambassadors to Japan have refused to attend a ceremony marking the 1945 atomic bombing of the city because Israel was snubbed.
But he defended the decision not to ask Israel to Friday’s yearly occurrence, repeating that it was” not democratic” but to prevent possible demonstrations related to the Gaza issue.
Shiro Suzuki addressed writers,” It’s unfortunate that they have informed us that their ministers are unable to attend.”
” We made a comprehensive choice for political factors,” the statement continued. We want to have a clean ceremony in a quiet, grave setting.
On Aug 9, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing 74, 000 folks including many who survived the explosion but died after from radiation exposure.
Three weeks after the first nuclear attack on Hiroshima, which left 140 000 persons dead, was announced. On August 15, 1945, Japan made its declaration of retreat during World War II.