June,10,2025

[Activity Report] Nagasaki Prefectural Headquarters Submits Petition Regarding the 80th Anniversary Nagasaki Peace Ceremony

June,10,2025

On June 6, Ms. Chie MITSUYAMA, member of the Omura City Council in Nagasaki Prefecture, Mr. Toru Nakashima, Representative of the Supervising Branch of the Nagasaki Prefectural Headquarters of the HRP, and Mr. Michihito MORITA, Chairman of the Nagasaki Central Supporters’ Association of the HRP, submitted a Petition Regarding the 80th Anniversary Nagasaki Peace Ceremony to the Nagasaki City Council. Also, a request letter of the same content was submitted to the Mayor of Nagasaki City.

1. Summary of the Petition

On May 15 this year, the City of Hiroshima decided to send an invitation to Taiwan (Republic of China), which was not eligible for the invitation so far, for the Peace Memorial Ceremony which is held on August 6. A spokesperson for Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision, affirming that Taiwan’s commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region remains the same.

In contrast, the Mayor of Nagasaki, in a press conference on May 16, stated that Taiwan was “not among those to be invited or notified” to the city’s ceremony, adding only that he would “consider the matter, observing various situations.” In response, the spokesperson for Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “regret” over this policy.

During World War II, over 200,000 people in Taiwan served as Japanese nationals, and many of them are confirmed to have died in the atomic bombing. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing this year, inviting representatives from Taiwan to the ceremony would be most in line with the original purpose of the memorial—to honor the victims transcending national or ethnic boundaries and to pray for the realization of everlasting peace of the world.

2. Petition Items

That Taiwan be invited to, or formally notified of, the 80th Anniversary Nagasaki Peace Ceremony.

From left: Chie Mitsuyama, Omura City Council Member; Toru Nakashima, Representative of the Supervising Branch of the Nagasaki Prefectural Headquarters of the HRP; Michihito Morita, Chairman of the Nagasaki Central Supporters’ Association of the HRP.