NHK has learned that Ukraine plans to take part in this year's atomic bomb memorial ceremony in Hiroshima regardless of whether or not Russia will attend.



Japan's public broadcaster contacted embassies and other facilities of some countries and regions, including those involved in conflicts, to ask whether they will attend the August 6 event. This year marks 80 years since the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.



Russia's embassy told NHK that it will consider what to do after receiving an announcement of the event from Hiroshima City.



The Ukrainian embassy said it is regrettable if the city sends the announcement to Russia and Belarus as well. But it indicated it will attend the ceremony, saying paying respects to victims is what matters most.



Israel, Palestine and Belarus said they could not comment because they had not received the announcement.



Two G7 nations, Britain and France, plan to take part. The United States and Germany said they could not yet comment.



Hiroshima will send its announcement of the annual ceremony to all countries and regions that have diplomatic channels with Japan. The city cites the need for calling on more countries and regions to abolish nuclear weapons.