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Yomiuri Shimbun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Emperor, Empress Visit Area Hit by 2014 Landslide in Hiroshima; Imperial Couple Pay Respects to Victims
Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun The Emperor and Empress bow near a check dam in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima, on Friday. HIROSHIMA — The Emperor and Empress observed an area devastated 11 years ago by massive landslides caused by heavy rain, in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima, on Friday morning. The August 2014 landslides claimed the lives of 77 people, including those whose deaths occurred after the disaster but resulted from it. The Emperor and Empress made the visit as part of a trip to Hiroshima Prefecture. They observed a check dam, which was constructed to prevent disasters ***like the one in 2014***, in the Yagi district of the ward. They also listened to an official from the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry who explained that such dams are effective for flood control. The official also said that 23 people were killed near the site. The Imperial couple bowed silently twice, first toward the residential area where the victims perished and then upstream. The Imperial couple then went to the Hiroshima City Torrential Rain Disaster Memorial Center and looked at displays on the lessons learned from the disaster and on reconstruction efforts. They were to return to Tokyo on Friday afternoon. On Thursday, the Emperor and Empress paid their respects to the dead at the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb and met with hibakusha. In the evening, the Imperial couple released their written impressions of the first day of their Hiroshima trip, in which they expressed sympathy for the victims. 'Thinking of the pain felt by the people in Hiroshima until now, we have renewed our wish for peace,' they wrote. The text also described their deep respect for the hibakusha, who have overcome difficulties and are tirelessly speaking out about their experiences and the importance of peace. The Emperor and Empress also found young people's efforts to pass down the experiences of the hibakusha 'very meaningful.'
Asahi Shimbun
a day ago
- General
- Asahi Shimbun
Imperial couple honor victims of atomic bomb in Hiroshima
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako offer flowers at the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima on June 19. (Jun Ueda) HIROSHIMA—Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako laid white flowers and paid their respects on June 19 at the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park here. The cenotaph houses the list of the dead, which lists 344,306 victims of the bomb as of Aug. 6, 2024. The imperial couple are visiting Hiroshima Prefecture on June 19 and 20 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The visit marked Naruhito's eighth to the cenotaph since 1981. This visit to Hiroshima was the first since he ascended the throne in 2019. This is part of the imperial couple's journey to commemorate the war dead and pass on memories of the deceased 80 years after the war's end. Naruhito and Masako visited Iwoto island, formerly known as Iwojima, in April, and Okinawa Prefecture in early June, for the same purpose. Following Hiroshima, the couple is expected to visit Nagasaki Prefecture in September as part of their journey. The couple flew from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima on a chartered plane on the morning of June 19. Their first-day schedule included a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and other facilities to meet with atomic bomb survivors. On June 20, they are scheduled to visit Asaminami Ward in the city of Hiroshima, the site of the 2014 landslide disaster that killed 77 people, to inspect a sand and stone dam to prevent mudslides. The couple will also tour the city's museum that passes down lessons from the torrential rain disaster. They are also scheduled to meet with residents at one of four nursing homes in Hiroshima dedicated to hibakusha.
Yomiuri Shimbun
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Hiroshima's New Method Over Peace Ceremony Attendees to Be Tested; City Hopes to Avoid Past Criticisms on 80th Anniversary
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo People line up to offer prayers in front of the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb at Peace Memorial Park in Naka Ward, Hiroshima, on Aug. 6, 2024. HIROSHIMA — The Hiroshima city government has changed its method of gathering foreign attendees for its annual peace memorial ceremony following criticisms over which countries are invited. However, whether the new method will be effective remains uncertain amid the complex international situation. For the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings this year, the city has sent letters — not invitations — to all countries and regions with which Japan has diplomatic ties or channels, informing them about the Aug.6 ceremony. Letter, not invitation 'We hope that the decision to attend is based on the understanding of 'the Spirit of Hiroshima,' [which is the idea of working] toward the abolition of nuclear weapons and lasting world peace,' Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said at a press conference in April when the change was announced. The letters were sent to 196 countries and regions, as well as Delegation of the European Union to Japan, on May 23. The recipients were categorized into three groups: countries and regions with embassies or representative divisions in Japan; countries with no embassies but with permanent missions to the United Nations; and other countries and regions wishing to attend. Russia, Ukraine, Israel and Palestine are a part of the first group. Taiwan, which was not invited in previous years because Japan does not recognize it as a country, was included in the third group. Until last year, invitations had been sent, in principle, to all countries recognized by the Japanese government and to countries that have not signed or joined the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Last year, the city sent invitations to 166 countries. In previous years, the invitations were addressed to the heads of state or ambassadors of each country. This year, the letters did not specify the recipients and only expressed the thoughts of the atomic bomb survivors and the purpose of the event. 'Best possible way' The ceremony was first held in 1947 as Peace Festival, and the city began inviting countries to the event in 1998. Following nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan in May 1998, invitations were sent to the seven nuclear-armed countries, including those two nations. For the 60th anniversary in 2005, invitations were sent to countries other than nuclear-armed nations. Since 2006, all countries approved by the Japanese government were invited. However, in 2022, the city decided not to invite Russia — due to its aggression against Ukraine — and Belarus, which supports Russia. Hiroshima sought the Foreign Ministry's opinion and was told that '[inviting Russia and Belarus] is inappropriate as it could lead to misunderstandings about Japan's stance,' according to documents obtained by The Yomiuri Shimbun through a public records request to the city. As the ministry's position was unchanged in 2023 and 2024, and the city did not invite the two nations for three consecutive years. Last year's ceremony drew criticism, as the city invited Israel, which has been attacking Gaza since October 2023. Unlike Russia, whose diplomats in Japan were asked to leave by the Japanese government, Israeli diplomats remain in Japan. A city official claimed that the city's policy 'made sense' under the circumstances, but residents criticized the move as being a double standard. The backlash prompted Hiroshima to make the change. 'We must avoid what happened last year on the 80th anniversary,' a city official said. 'We chose the best possible way.' Each country's decision Given that it will be up to each country on whether to attend, ambassadors from warring areas may gather for the ceremony. At the April press conference, Matsui said the letter did 'not focus on whether they were warring parties but on how to convey our message.' At last year's Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on Aug. 9, ambassadors from the Group of Seven countries, except Japan, and others boycotted the ceremony to protest against Israel's exclusion from the invitation list. Some twists and turns may be expected depending on which countries decide to attend the ceremony this year. Mixed feedback Atomic bomb survivor Toshiyuki Mimaki, 83, who represents Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), which received last year's Nobel Peace Prize, praised the city's decision as a good solution to avoiding criticism over which countries are asked to attend. 'I hope countries and regions with different ideologies and beliefs gather to reflect on what occurred 80 years ago,' Mimaki said. On the other hand, Takashi Hiraoka, 97, who was the mayor of Hiroshima between 1991-99, said the decision 'lacks initiative.' 'Recipients might be confused about whether Hiroshima wants them to come,' Hiraoka said. '[The change] has made it difficult to convey the city's true intentions, as well as its seriousness, to other countries.'
Japan Forward
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Emperor Naruhito to Visit Okinawa in WWII Tribute, Reaffirming Peace
Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will visit Okinawa Prefecture beginning June 4. The trip is part of a remembrance journey marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Later, on June 19, they will travel to Hiroshima, a city devastated by the atomic bomb. His Majesty's tributes to those who perished in battle and the atomic bombings carry deep significance. It will be a time for the nation to come together in solemn reflection and mourning. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Accompanied by Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito will lay flowers at the National Cemetery for the War Dead in Mabuni, Itoman City. The site marks the location of the final and fiercest battle of the Okinawa campaign in 1945. The Imperial Family is also scheduled to visit the Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum, which commemorates a school evacuation ship sunk by American forces in 1944. Its sinking resulted in the deaths of many children. During their visit, the Imperial Family will also meet with bereaved families. In Hiroshima, Their Majesties will offer flowers at the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb in Peace Memorial Park. The Imperial Household Agency is also making arrangements for a visit to Nagasaki, site of the second atomic bombing, later in 2025. Many local residents are looking forward to welcoming Their Majesties. Near their hotel in Naha City, volunteers are organizing a lantern procession, and traditional Ryukyuan dance performances are also planned. Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko at the Himeyuri Cenotaph during their first visit to Okinawa. July 17, 1975. This remembrance journey follows the example set by Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who began such visits in 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Together with Empress Emerita Michiko, he visited Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Okinawa, and sites affected by the Tokyo air raids to honor the war dead. At a press conference in February, Emperor Naruhito reflected on the importance of remembrance, stating: "I hope it will be an opportunity to reflect deeply on the value of peace and renew our resolve to uphold it." The Emperor is also engaging in remembrance activities at wartime sites overseas. In April, he and the Empress visited Iwo Jima. In July, he will make his first official visit to Mongolia as Emperor and may offer prayers for Japanese detainees once held there by the former Soviet Union. However, political tensions have made such visits to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, and sites in China and Russia, difficult at this time. After World War II, Emperor Hirohito visited Yasukuni Shrine eight times to honor the spirits of those who died in conflicts dating back to the late Edo period. However, amid opposition from China, South Korea, and domestic left-wing groups, no Emperor has visited the shrine since November 1975. ( Read the related editorial in Japanese . ) Author: The Sankei Shimbun
16-05-2025
- General
Register of Nagasaki A-Bomb Victims Gets Airing
News from Japan Society Culture May 16, 2025 18:32 (JST) Nagasaki, May 16 (Jiji Press)--Lists of victims who died from the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki were given an airing at the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims in the southwestern Japan city Friday. After a silent prayer at 11:02 a.m., the exact time when the atomic bomb was dropped on Aug. 9, 1945, municipal government staff turned each page of the 203 volumes of victim lists to check their condition. Such upkeep is conducted annually around the same time, just before the presummer rainy season begins. The register contains the victims' names, the dates of their deaths and their ages. A further 3,208 victims were newly confirmed dead by the end of July last year and added to the lists, bringing the total deaths to about 198,890. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
