• Controversy over Japan’s refusal to invite Israel
• Strong contingent of Mideast, North Africa envoys

Arab News Japan

DUBAI: There was a strong showing on Friday of Arab envoys at Japan’s 79th anniversary of the US’ atomic bombing of the country, amid controversy over Tokyo’s refusal to invite Israel.

While the ceremony at the Nagasaki Peace Park was attended by some 2,300 people, several G7 countries sent lower-ranking representatives.

The US’ Rahm Emanuel and Britain’s Julia Longbottom were not present, as well as the envoys from Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the EU.

The G7 nations were instead represented by consuls general and other officials. The US sent its Chief Consul of Fukuoka Chuka Asike, and the UK had Minister Councilor Political Helen Smith present.

Twelve of the 13 Arab countries in attendance sent their ambassadors, while Palestine sent First Councilor Hisham Nasar.

Palestinian Ambassador to Japan Waleed Siam was unable to attend as he was not in the country.

The Arab ambassadors included Saudi Arabia’s Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, the UAE’s Shihab Ahmed Al-Faheem, Iraq’s temporary ambassador Pewan Jasem Ibrahim Zawitai, Egypt’s Mohamed Abubakr Saleh Fattah and Kuwait’s Sami Al-Zamanan.

Others present were Djibouti’s Ibrahim Bileh Doualeh, Syria’s temporary ambassador Najib Erzi, Sudan’s Ali Mohamed Ahmed Osman, Bahrain’s Ahmed Mohammed Al-Dosari, Jordan’s temporary ambassador Salma El-Taweel, Libya’s Ahmed S. Alnaas, and Morocco’s Rachad Bouhlal.

India sent its ambassador and China its attache.

At the memorial, Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki said the threat of nuclear war remains ever-present, considering the heightened conflict around the world, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.