According to a Sunday 29 of March 2026 report by Al Jazeera, the Embassy of Israel in Tokyo has refused to accept a statement submitted by four groups representing survivors of the atomic bombings, after the organisations criticised the United States (US) and Israel’s military operations against Iran.
The statement was returned to the groups in Nagasaki Prefecture by postal services, which informed them that the embassy would not accept it, according to Kyodo News, citing the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council.
“The document was sent back without even being read. I think they are becoming close-minded,” said Shigemitsu Tanaka, the 85-year-old head of the council.
Nagasaki and Hiroshima were devastated by US atomic bombs in the closing days of World War II.
Survivors of the bombings have long campaigned for a global ban on nuclear weapons and continue to advocate disarmament.
The four groups based in Nagasaki Prefecture have for years engaged in advocacy calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and recognition of hibakusha testimonies.
The Israeli embassy has not issued a public explanation regarding its decision, and no official statement has been released.
The incident has drawn attention to diplomatic sensitivities surrounding statements on nuclear weapons and ongoing regional conflicts.
In Japan, international correspondence to diplomatic missions is typically processed through postal services which may return items deemed undeliverable to senders.
The development has prompted discussion among peace advocacy groups about communication channels with foreign embassies and the importance of continued dialogue on nuclear issues.
Nagasaki and Hiroshima continue to mark annual memorials for the atomic bombings, with survivors highlighting the humanitarian consequences of nuclear warfare.
The survivor community, known as hibakusha, is ageing, and organisations have intensified efforts to preserve testimonies for future generations.
The refusal comes amid broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran and increased scrutiny of military actions in the Middle East, with civil society groups continuing to call for nuclear disarmament and restraint in armed conflicts.
No additional comment was provided by the embassy, and the matter remains unaddressed publicly as reported by Kyodo News sources in Japan. Observers say the incident signals ongoing sensitivities surrounding nuclear policy statements and diplomatic communication between governments and survivor organisations across international forums today, according to reports from Japan media outlets.
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