Tokyo: A diplomatic controversy has erupted in Japan following Nagasaki Mayor Suzuki Shiro’s announcement that Taiwan will not be invited to the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, a decision widely viewed as being influenced by pressure from China, according to Taiwan News.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Japanese political figures, most notably Kobe City Councilor Uehata Norihiro, who labelled the move as “deplorable” and a betrayal of democratic values.
“Anyone listening to China is not qualified to speak about peace,” Uehata stated, referencing the growing concern over Beijing’s influence on Japan’s foreign policy decisions. He further described Taiwan as “an independent country with 23 million people” that “respected freedom and democracy.”
Nagasaki Defends Decision Based on Diplomatic Norms
Mayor Suzuki, responding to the backlash, clarified that invitations to the August 9 ceremony would be extended only to countries with formal diplomatic ties to Japan or official representation at the United Nations, citing longstanding city policy.
“Taiwan does not meet either criterion,” Suzuki said, adding that about 2,700 guests will be invited this year — 300 more than in 2024.
Despite this, he left open the possibility of future flexibility, saying the city might “consider any situation in the future,” according to Kyodo News.
Broader Implications Amid Rising Tensions
The controversy comes at a sensitive time in regional geopolitics. Many in Japan view Taiwan as a key democratic partner and cultural ally, especially as tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait and China asserts greater influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Observers see Taiwan’s exclusion from a peace commemoration — especially one that symbolises global unity and the horrors of war — as contradictory to Japan’s democratic values and peace advocacy.