Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Ceremony Seat Arrangement Criticized as 'Demotion' — Taiwan's Representative Lee I-yang Skips Event in Protest Against Yielding to China's Will

Nagasaki City in Japan held its annual atomic bombing peace memorial ceremony today (9th), but sparked strong protests from Taiwan after the city government assigned Taiwan's representative seating outside the diplomatic corps zone. In protest against what it sees as a demotion undermining its national dignity, Taiwan's Representative to Japan, Lee I-yang, along with ministers Tsai Ming-yao and Chou Hsueh-yu, all boycotted the event. Instead, Chen Ming-chun, Director of the Fukuoka Branch Office, attended at a downgraded level. Lee I-yang strongly condemned Nagasaki's decision as yielding to China's political will.

Lee stated that Taiwan's pursuit of peace and its love for democracy are known worldwide. During the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 81 years ago, many Taiwanese were also victims. Taiwan deeply experienced the tragedies of World War II and had hoped to participate in the peace memorial ceremony to express its commitment to peace and join democratic nations in collective efforts.

Regarding the boycott, Lee pointed out that Nagasaki's municipal government holds a pro-China stance. Last year, Taiwan reluctantly attended, valuing its first opportunity to affirm its peace commitment at the ceremony, but immediately issued a protest statement afterward over the unfair treatment. Over the past year, despite repeated appeals from influential pro-Taiwan Japanese lawmakers and continuous efforts by the Fukuoka office through local legislators and civic groups, Nagasaki failed to grant Taiwan appropriate status. Therefore, Taiwan decided to downgrade its participation.

Lee emphasized that Nagasaki's seating arrangement deliberately denies Taiwan's statehood, completely disregarding Taiwan's sovereignty and dignity—an unprecedented treatment Taiwan has never faced when participating in central or local events in Japan. He stated bluntly that Nagasaki's refusal to acknowledge its error has made it an executor of China's legal warfare strategy, which claims 'Taiwan is not a state, has no sovereignty, and is part of China.'

Lee solemnly declared that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation, not subordinate to China. China has never ruled Taiwan, and the Republic of China was founded earlier than the People's Republic of China. Taiwan has never been part of China. He expressed stern protest and condemnation against Nagasaki's actions that insult Taiwan's dignity.

Furthermore, Lee cited data to illustrate Taiwan's contributions: TSMC's investment in its Kumamoto plant is projected to generate 23 trillion yen in economic benefits for Kyushu over ten years, with Nagasaki within the benefiting region. From Japan's 3/11 Great East Japan Earthquake and Noto Peninsula Earthquake to the recent Kumamoto earthquake, Taiwan's donations ranked first globally. In the first half of this year, Taiwanese visitors to Japan reached 3.97 million, ranking second among all countries, while spending totaled 752.3 billion yen—topping all nations.

He stressed that Taiwan and Japan share deep friendship and mutual goodwill, and Nagasaki should not cooperate with China to suppress Taiwan.

Additionally, Lee noted that although Taiwan's population of 23 million ranks 57th globally, its stock market capitalization ranks fourth worldwide, behind only the U.S., China, and Japan. Taiwan is the most critical manufacturing base for global high-tech hardware. Its economic growth rate reached 13.72% in the first half of the year—an outstanding achievement that makes the world unable to ignore Taiwan's existence and value.

Lee emphasized that China is aggressively expanding its nuclear arsenal, threatening world peace, and conducting frequent military drills in the Indo-Pacific region, provoking conflicts. China is the greatest disruptor of regional peace. The Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony calls for 'nuclear abolition' and 'pursuit of peace'—the very target it should condemn is China. Nagasaki's compliance with China and its belittlement of peaceful, Japan-friendly Taiwan is regrettable and disappointing.