Hiroshima Not to Invite Russia, Belarus to 2024 Peace Ceremony

   Hiroshima, April 24 (Jiji Press)--The atomic-bombed western Japan city of Hiroshima said Wednesday that it will not invite Russia and Belarus to its annual peace memorial ceremony on Aug. 6.
   The two countries have not been invited to the Hiroshima peace ceremony since 2022, when Russia launched its aggression against Ukraine.
   "If we invite them, it could affect the smooth holding of the ceremony," Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui told a regular press conference. "We cannot say the situation has changed, so we will continue with the same stance this year."
   Hiroshima plans to send letters to the two countries next month, asking them to resolve the fighting soon and visit Hiroshima.
   Meanwhile, the city plans to invite Israel, which continues fighting in Gaza, to the peace ceremony.

(2024/04/24-20:34)