Kyuma to skip Nagasaki A-bomb ceremony

NAGASAKI (Kyodo) Former Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma told the city of Nagasaki on Friday that he will not attend the Aug. 9 annual peace memorial ceremony for the 1945 atomic bombing, following controversial remarks he made that were taken as justifying the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Fumio Kyuma

Kyuma, a Lower House member elected from Nagasaki, has attended the ceremony every year at the city's invitation. But he has attracted strong criticism this year from groups of atomic bomb survivors over his comments, with some saying he does not deserve to attend the ceremony.

Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue said in a statement, "I would like to respect his decision, which was made after consideration."

Kyuma resigned as defense minister in early July after causing an uproar for saying in a speech: "I understand the bombing brought the war to its end. I think it was something that couldn't be helped."

Hirotami Yamada, secretary general of the Nagasaki Council of the A-bomb Sufferers, said, "It is quite natural for Mr. Kyuma to not attend, when taking into consideration the feelings of atomic bomb survivors."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday he will attend peace memorial ceremonies on Aug. 6 in Hiroshima and Aug. 9 in Nagasaki and meet hibakusha representatives.