Photo/Illutration A copy of the notification the Hiroshima city government sent out to foreign embassies regarding this year’s peace memorial ceremony (The Asahi Shimbun)

HIROSHIMA--The city of Hiroshima is doing things a little bit differently this year to mark the 80th anniversary of its atomic bombing.

Foreign governments and organizations are being asked to understand the “will of Hiroshima” before deciding to send a representative to the Aug. 6 observance to be held in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

In past years, the Hiroshima city government sent out invitations addressed to the ambassador or person of equivalent rank of nations and regions with an embassy or representative office in Japan.

This year’s “notification” is not addressed to any individual, but explains the will of Hiroshima that “no one else should ever suffer as” have the hibakusha who survived the atomic bombing. That sentiment also seeks “the coexistence and prosperity of all humanity.”

Nations interested in attending the ceremony are asked to return a document stating who will attend.

City government officials held a news conference May 23 to explain the outline of this year’s memorial ceremony.

A major change from last year’s ceremony is that notifications were sent May 23 to all nations with an embassy or representative office in Japan. Last year, invitations were sent to 166 nations as well as the European Union, but not to Russia or Belarus due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This year, notifications will be sent to 196 nations and regions, including Taiwan, which has expressed an interest in attending.

Around 7,000 seats, about the same as last year, will be set up at the ceremony venue. Officials said that 2,200 indoor seats will be set up in the International Conference Center Hiroshima within the peace park.

Because this year will mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, a larger than usual number of invited guests will be included, such as the chief justice of the Supreme Court as well as youth representatives of local governments with which Hiroshima has a sister-city relationship.

Two entrances fitted with metal detectors will be set up to ensure a smoother flow of participants. There was only one entrance like that last year, where participants also had their belongings checked.

The venue will be open to participants at 6 a.m., 30 minutes earlier than usual. Priority lanes will be set up for hibakusha, bereaved family members, senior citizens and those with disabilities.

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