Debate Club Participants Published the First Article on the Russian International Affairs Council Website

The department’s Debate club on international relations in East Asia has launched a blog on the platform of the Russian International Affairs Council. The inaugural article, authored by club head Maria Chizhevskaya, is titled "Peace Ceremony in Nagasaki on 9 August 2024: What Does the Refusal to Invite the Israeli ambassador tell us?".

This project aims to engage participants not only in discussions about pressing regional issues but also in producing analytical writings. The first meeting focused on the peace ceremony held in Nagasaki on August 9, 2024, which resulted in publishing an analytical summary of the discussion.

'In June 2024, Nagasaki's mayor, Suzuki Shiro, decided to exclude the Israeli ambassador from the ceremony while inviting the Palestinian ambassador. This decision drew sharp criticism from Israel and several Western nations; notably, U.S. Ambassador to Tokyo Rahm Emanuel declined to attend, labeling the move as "political," a sentiment echoed by ambassadors from other G7 countries.

In this context, it is crucial to explore the underlying reasons for Japan's decision. Understanding why the Japanese government did not intervene to mitigate the diplomatic fallout with its G7 partners is essential. Additionally, this situation offers valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of Japan's relations with its Western allies'.

The full article can be found here.