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Nagasaki marks 70th anniversary of atomic bombing

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By EUGENE HOSHIKO

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The nuking of H&N was the most disgusting and cowardly war crime ever committed. It was little more than a brutal and cynical live human experiment on women and children. The depravity and racism of the US government and military is apparent from Harry Truman`s demented giggling prior to his announcement of the mass murders at Hiroshima:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d42dMSAltnQ

See Kermit Beahan gloat as he claims responsibility for nuking the women and children of Nagasaki:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdJyOBriLTI

As Brig. Gen. Carter W. Clarke, the officer in charge of preparing MAGIC intercepted cable summaries in 1945, stated:

"….we brought them [the Japanese] down to an abject surrender through the accelerated sinking of their merchant marine and hunger alone, and when we didn't need to do it, and we knew we didn't need to do it, and they knew that we knew we didn't need to do it, we used them as an experiment for two atomic bombs."

As the historical record shows, six of the seven US WWII five star officers concluded that the nuking of hundreds of thousands of civilians was unnecessary. In fact, the nuking was one of the most brutal and cynical atrocities ever committed. As Admiral Chester W. Nimitz stated:

"The atomic bomb played no decisive part, from a purely military standpoint, in the defeat of Japan. The Japanese had, in fact, already sued for peace before the destruction of Hiroshima and before the Russian entry into the war…."

Truman`s own diaries show that he prolonged hostilities until the nukes were ready. We also know that he lied to the US public when he stated that Hiroshima was a "military target".

Prior to nuking Hiroshima, the U.S. military had already obliterated over 60 Japanese cities with napalm and white phosphorous. This conclusively proves that Hiroshima and Nagasaki had little value other than as an opportunity for the US military to conduct nuke testing on human subjects.

In this connection, Paul Tibbets is on record as stating that Hiroshima was set aside as a "virgin" test city. Additionally, the primary targets at Hiroshima were residential in nature with the overwhelming majority of casualties being civilian. In fact, Honkawa Elementary school was mere meters from the epicenter of the Hiroshima nuke strike. The fire-bombings and nuclear attacks on Japan were war crimes on par with the holocaust suffered by the Jews.

-3 ( +13 / -16 )

"No more Nagasakis, no more Hiroshimas", Ban said.

He should say it directly to faces of his American masters.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

I have also renewed my determination for Japan, as the only country to have ever experienced the horror of nuclear devastation in war, to take the lead in the international community’s nuclear disarmament efforts

...by trashing the pacifist constitution

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

I'm an ALT in Nagasaki and my base school is only 1km away from the Peace Park and where the bomb dropped. Today during my school's peace ceremony, we paused for a bit after the principal and students gave speeches, and listened in on a broadcast of the ceremony at the Peace Park. I hope my students take seriously the words of the mayor, Ban Ki-moon, and most importantly survivors like Sumiteru Taniguchi. I worry these kids will grow up to be as apathetic about politics as those who are only ten years older than them, and I hope hearing things like they heard today will break through the brainwashing that the conservative government tries to foist upon Japan.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

....and how many years since the Japanese Military murdered their 10,000th victim? or the 20,000th, or the 50,000th ? Huh?; how many years ?

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

"With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the audience, a representative of Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors told an annual ceremony that security legislation introduced by Abe’s government goes against the wishes of the survivors and “will lead to war.”"

Good on this man for telling it like it is, and I'm glad it was to Abe's face, and in front of the world.

"Abe, in brief remarks, said that Japan, as the only country to experience nuclear attacks, would seek to play a leading role in realizing a world without such weapons."

Oh, really? Is that what your Defense Minister was talking about the other day? you know, yet another hand-picked crony who wants to push through defense bills no one wants while pretending it's for 'peace'? Disgusting! Abe should have been barred from the ceremony. Or at least booed off the stage.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

I think there is something wrong either way when you use a memorial to further your political machinations.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Nice gesture Abe; the war was hell and the Japanese people suffered terribly.

Now when are you going to lay your wreath at Nanking Abe?

3 ( +11 / -8 )

The nuking of H&N was the most disgusting and cowardly war crime ever committed.

and your one of those that think the Jewish holocaust is foreshadowed by the firebombings of Japan, your moral compass is totally messed up by your blindness. as another poster perfectly put it.

During the Adolf Eichmann trial in 1961 the Israeli judge questioned Eichmann,an SS Colonel and key figure in the Holocaust, "You have often compared the extermination of the Jews with the bombing raids on German cities, and you compared the murder of Jewish women and children with the death of German women in aerial bombardments. Surely it must be clear to you that there is a basic distinction between these two things. On the one hand the bombing is used as an instrument of forcing the enemy to surrender. Just as the Germans tried to force the British to surrender by their bombing. In that case it is a war objective to bring an armed enemy to his knees.

"On the other hand, when you take unarmed Jewish men, women and children from their homes, hand them over to the Gestapo, and then send them to Auschwitz for extermination it is an entirely different thing, is it not?"

Eichmann readily conceded it was.

Even one of the most evil moraless men in history can see the differance, many here on JT cannot, very sad actually

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

No more nuclear weapons rather no weapons on the earth, only make those weapons through which we can fight ignorance,poverty,diseases and pollution.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The ability to second-guess the wisdom of Harry Truman is a luxury that 50 million casualties of the Second World War will never know.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

The nuking of H&N was the most disgusting and cowardly war crime ever committed

Dejavu....

0 ( +3 / -3 )

My deepest condolence and heartfelt sympathies to the people of Nagasaki and to the souls of the victims of the Atomic bombing including the families of the deceased and the survivors still struggling with its after effects. We must never forget the complete destruction of human existence that can be caused by nuclear weapons. It is the responsibility of this generation to continue strongly pleading to this world for everlasting peace of mankind without nuclear weapons for a global society filled with unconditional love.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Only brainwashed people by American propaganda can believe nuclear attacks were "necessary" for the sake of humanity. They are war crimes. The US didn't want Japan was invaded by the Russians. They showed their power to the world. Since the end of WWII, the US supported LDP, like they are doing today with Abe. They created a "China threat" to scare Japanese people. Hatoyama had showed how peace between China and Japan is possible, but the US contributed to his failure. The Americans have to leave Japan, only this way peace is possible. But they won't give up on their colonies. Most of Americans think they are heroes, while they are destroying the world for their interests.

-8 ( +8 / -16 )

For those who against ABE's security bills:

You cannot embarass Mr Abe in such a ceremony wwith your wishful calls....because this person and the LDP has no concept of 'SHAME'! What he and his party doing is appeasing US policy of warwongering in east asia. Japan is like Hawaii, a place taken by American warlords being a step stone to make further aggression.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Which is more humane, the Hitler gas chambers or the Truman nukes?

WASFQ well that statement just proves that you are void of all logic. which is more humane a bullet to the head or decapitation by sword, which is more humane dieing a slow death by starvation or radiation sickness. which is more humane, forced into prostitution by the IJA or hard labour as a POW.

I can tell you the cries of foul play by Japanese regarding the A bombs is by far drowned out by Asians treatment by the IJA or Nazis treatment of the Jews. you can write a million personal opinions on how bad the Americans were to the Japanese, but youll never see an American convicted of war crimes during that period in history. Not in your lifetime your childrens or grand childrens lifetime. The best you can hope for is some form of apology (good luck with that) time to swallow your hate and move on.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Interesting that Japanese are driven to peace by the memory of the two nuclear attacks on their soil, and not their own atrocities against the Chinese , Korean, Indonesians, Filipinos and other Aisian people.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

About Hatoyama, the US have been the MAIN cause of his failure. And to all the westerns who continue to bash Japan for what it did against other Asians during its imperialism, stop you are embarrassing yourself. Asia was full of Western colonies. Western countries committed so many atrocities during their history and they pretend they cared for Asian kids and women killed by Japanese when did the same way earlier than Japan. I am western and I hate western hypocrisy.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

"we brought them [the Japanese] down to an abject surrender"

But they didn't surrender. The Japanese ignored and then dismiss the Potsdam declaration of late July 1945. The Asahi Newspaper ridiculed it.

Prime Minister Suzuki and others in cabinet promised to continue fighting until the bitter end. Right after Nagasaki, however, that attitude quickly changed. But only AFTER Nagasaki.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

@ alex but no countries have killed more people than the Nazis and IJA in the last 200yrs, over 50million. many many more than in Americas total 200+ yr history. Im not Amercian and I dont pretend to like much of what America did during that time. But when it comes to the hardships and slaughter of WW2, very few match Japan in the hypocrisy stakes.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Interesting that Japanese are driven to peace by the memory of the two nuclear attacks on their soil, and not their own atrocities against the Chinese , Korean, Indonesians, Filipinos and other Aisian people.

Interesting that Americans lament the lack of remorse of Japanese, without showing any remorse for their crimes against Japanese, Vietnamese, Iraqis, Afghanis, Pakistanis etc.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

when *did the same way earlier than Japan

they

Americans like to think the atomic attacks were necessary to clean their dirty hands. Such a pity tons of historians disagree with your whitewash version of hystory.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

Such a pity tons of historians disagree with your whitewash version of hystory.

Im more than sure many more gaijin and many Japanese historians are critical of Japans whitewashing history. Just ask any asian outside Japan. you know the ones that suffered under Japans occupation

2 ( +7 / -5 )

The way I look at there was a lot of atrocities done on all sides, but some people here just want to use this day to bash the US. I guess they don't know Japan is not guilt free maybe you haven't heard of the Rape of Nanking , Batten Death March, Sneak attack on Peal Harbor, kamikaze attacks, comfort women, beheadings of prisoners no, no your all right Japan is guilt free, RIGHT!

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Can anyone tell me the date we remember the deaths of all the civilians killed by the Imperial Japanese forces ?, cant seem to remember the date, the current remembrance service in Japan should be a good date to pay homage, and admit that the Imperial Japanese forces murdered countless innocent lives as well as the atomic bomb, a fact that never seems to be mentioned in Japan.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

If I have to choose one of the worst ways to die, I prefer to die in seconds in nuclear explosion zone in Nagasaki rather than being killed by repeated bayonet stabbing or gun shooting after scaring for a few days till even couple months in Nanking!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

@ alex but no countries have killed more people than the Nazis and IJA in the last 200yrs, over 50million. many many more than in Americas total 200+ yr history.

What? Are you sure? How many native people were killed in America by the Europeans to create "the US"? How many Asian, African, Australian native people were killed by the Europeans in their imperialist wars? Americans = Europeans conquerors, if you didn't know it. The westerns killed way more people than Japan did, plus Japan became a colonial power to protect itself from Western colonialism.

Im more than sure many more gaijin and many Japanese historians are critical of Japans whitewashing history.

Yeah, Japan's whitewash hystory MADE BY THE US. If only you could read this article, for example:

http://espresso.repubblica.it/internazionale/2015/07/30/news/a-hiroshimail-giappone-e-fermo-1.223355

It explains American role in what you call Japan's whitewash hystory, how the US protected and supported war criminals after WWII against their Communist rivals, how the US is forcing Japan to rearm itself NOW. This is why the US is WAY MORE HYPOCRITICAL than Japan, fortunately American hypocrisy is well known around the world.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Alex80: "And to all the westerns who continue to bash Japan for what it did against other Asians during its imperialism, stop you are embarrassing yourself. "

How about the millions of Asians who rightfully bring up Japan's atrocities, Alex? How about the Japanese who do it? There are Japanese at this very minute, and at this very commemoration ceremony, calling Abe and his cronies out and saying their ways are going to lead to a repeat of what happened, as well as historians at this very minute (Japanese included!) who demand Abe acknowledge Japan's atrocities and stick with past apologies. It's you who is embarrassing yourself, Alex. I personally happen to agree that the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima were among the worst war crimes ever committed, but that does NOT mean you cannot bring up war crimes, especially those committed by the nation that LED to it being bombed, and talk about basic human evil and the suffering it brings, and hope that it ALL be stopped. Nothing embarrassing about that at all. Instead, saying, "We can only talk about the evil US (which you always do) and the bombings as war crimes. Nothing else can be mentioned, please. No talk about other heinous acts! The entire war and all killings were limited to these incidents, thank you."

And what's with you talking about Hatoyama and other completely off topic things but saying no one can mention the IJA's atrocities?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

@Yubari: it's not normal sorry, all the posts where is shown American role in Japanese politics after WWII tend to becensored, it's wrong to say Japan whitewashed its hystory when it was made by the US that supported LDP since the end of WWII. It's a complex matter but here you can't never speak about it!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Yes, war is terrible. Nuclear weapons should never be used. Expect the same generic comments by A., those who argue that Japan was already defeated and hence the atomic bombings were nothing but a cruel experiment, and B.,those who insist that the bombings brought the war to a speedy conclusion. I suspect that those who fall under the B., category are Chinese, Koreans and disgruntled gaijin living in Japan. Expect the same in 2025 for the 80th anniversary. Wash, rinse and repeat. My point? Just let it go. Let bygones be. P.S Alex80 needs to take a chill pill.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

B.,those who insist that the bombings brought the war to a speedy conclusion. I suspect that those who fall under the B., category are Chinese, Koreans and disgruntled gaijin living in Japan

The bombs did bring the war to a speedy conclusion, that's fact. What may have happened if they weren't used is all speculation.

And I'm neither Chinese, Korean, nor disgruntled.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

World free of nuclear weapons is a distant dream which unlikely to be realised soon in the distant future as none of the world big nuclear powers is willing to surrender their nuclear weapons.They want to keep nuclear weapons as deterrence to over awe the nuclear have-not to maintain their dominance over them.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Take responsibility for your OWN actions, never-mind the actions of others - that is their responsibility.

If your main "ally" - more master than ally - prefers that you continue to be enemy of China, to protect its strategical interests in Asia, it's difficult take those responsabilities...For this my comments are on topic. Of course, Japan could be richer if had a good relation with China. And for this reason, my dear smith, my comments about Hatoyama are on topic.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@ alex but no countries have killed more people than the Nazis and IJA in the last 200yrs, over 50million. many many more than in Americas total 200+ yr history. Im not Amercian and I dont pretend to like much of what America did during that time. But when it comes to the hardships and slaughter of WW2, very few match Japan in the hypocrisy stakes

BINGO, we have a winner!

Can anyone tell me the date we remember the deaths of all the civilians killed by the Imperial Japanese forces ?, cant seem to remember the date, the current remembrance service in Japan should be a good date to pay homage, and admit that the Imperial Japanese forces murdered countless innocent lives as well as the atomic bomb, a fact that never seems to be mentioned in Japan.

And another BINGO, another winner!

We are hitting all these 70yr anniversaries & still in Japan little or no CONTEXT of what was going on & certain things happened. Were H& N awful, yes of COURSE! BUT please teach WHY these bombing happened, WHAT led up to them & yes please acknowledge the 20-30 million JAPAN killed !!!

Todays Japanese are not to blame obviously but for their own country to basically lie & deceive them is truly shameful!

Japan the WORLD mourns those who perished at H& N..............why cant Japan do the same for the many many many many MILLIONS Japan killed!!??!!??

How about it abe?? Do you have the stones to DO THIS on 8/15!

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Yes, of course the A-bombs brought WW2 to a speedy conclusion. I won't deny that it didn't. The question ought to be, was it justifiable to obliterate 210,000 innocent lives when the alternative was the probability of thousands of allied soldiers killed in a land invasion, and the possibility of postwar Sapporo being a present day Pyongyang? Logic says hell yes. And yet, one is reminded of the horrendous aftereffects suffered by people like Mr. Taniguchi. Collateral damage in the grand scheme of things? Hmm...

1 ( +4 / -3 )

what has always surprised me is why we never learned from the bombings of these two cities; lip service is paid stating " No Nukes" by various politicians, while they always work to keep nuclear weapons.

yet in classrooms very little of the bombings are presented, only that they were "necessary" to end the war. no real mention of the human cost, of the need never to use them again

no mention of how today's bombs and missiles are so vastly deadlier

they should find a way to contaminate the production process so that nuclear grade can no longer be made.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

We must never forget that Japan started the Pacific war by cowardly doing a sneak attack on PEARL HARBOR. You reap what you sow. Nagaski is what karma gave you O Japan. Because you many japanese died needless deaths. Nagasaki too. The ayamachi was not the two big bombs but japan starting the war. Fess up, old men!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Humbly smithinjapan san there are many that would subscribe to your sentiment, today is a day of commemoration, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in the audience representative of a nation, it is his duty. Public opposition is not for today but tomorrow.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Alex80: "@smith: it's useless, I repeat. Japan whitewash hystory is MADE IN THE US,"

What a crock of BS! You CONSTANTLY come on here with off-topic rants against the US -- including bringing up the war in Iraq as proof of bizarre conspiracies you buy into from unintelligent, foolish Italian blogs, on topics SOLELY related to Japan! And then you cry about the mods taking off your posts?? Of COURSE they are off-topic!

"And for this reason, my dear smith, my comments about Hatoyama are on topic."

You see? You can't even get the people you are addressing correct, let alone the facts about history and who is white-washing them (although whomever you quoted as saying you have to take actions for your own responsibility, and that YOU should do that, Alex, is correct!). The US has most certainly been involved in some of Japan's decisions since the end of WWII, but it is Japan that has white-washed its history, not the US, and hence you have US lawmakers and politicians saying Abe should abide by previous apologies and recognize the issue of sexual slavery and its truths, you have Japanese lawmakers going over to the US and demanding that it's textbook makers remove any historical references to sex slaves, nutjobs going over to the US and vandalizing statues of sex slaves, and Abe himself PROUDLY declaring he had the issue removed from school textbooks, as well as any reference to the forced suicides in Okinawa. Yes, Abe HIMSELF has admitted to being a 'revisionist' and is proud of it! That has nothing to do with the US or your off-topic rants, and EVERYTHING to do with why he should not be at this kind of ceremony to push his politics on what is supposed to be a commemoration of the atomic bombings and lives lost in war.

Now, can you try an on-topic post for a change?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

asdfgtr:

Agree. Thank you. As the only country to have ever nuked another, America should lead the effort to remove all nuclear weapons, starting with their own. Also, when vast majority of targets are civilian, it is not considered legal (collateral damage), but rather a war crime. As the US practically owns the ICC and has unoverrideable veto in Security Council, it will never be charged. Imagine the uproar if a president tries to visit Arlington National Cemetery if a Class A war criminal were buried there...American Yasukuni.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Alex80 In all honestly is this the time or the place? ...... Pretty please don't answer it is just a thought to ponder on.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

History is created by the war winner. If you lost the war, you are blamed for what you didn't do. The Japanese people would be the most tragic people in human history.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Japan is a has a pacifist constitution to be proud of, in losing the 'war' the people of Japan won the peace. The people of Japan have nothing to be ashamed of. I am proud to hold a Japanese passport, I had a choice. If that makes me tragic I am proud to be so.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Hi Alex80......You, smithinjapan, and tinawatanabe are amongst some of my favorite contributors, I don't necessarily agree, the comments are diverse, poignant and sometimes incendiary, but never boring.

Today - The city of Nagasaki marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing Sunday with calls to abolish nuclear weapons and halt the Japanese government’s push to loosen restrictions on what its military can do......for me that says it all....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Today - The city of Nagasaki marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing Sunday with calls to abolish nuclear weapons and halt the Japanese government’s push to loosen restrictions on what its military can do......for me that says it all....

Hi itsonlyrocknroll. It's weird you find only my comments out of place, though.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Nagasaki peace declaration on 70th anniversary of atomic bombing.....Full, peace declaration issued on Aug. 9, 2015, by Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue on the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city.....

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20150809p2a00m0na001000c.html

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Kennedy visited Atomic Bomb babies after she became ambasader to Japan. They are now 70 years old, still in hospital. They must be glad Kennedy has not forgotten them.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@ Danny Bloom

Nagaski is what karma gave you O Japan

Please tell us what karma 18,000 kids (rough estimate) had done to deserve being burnt to death?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Hi Alex not out of place, it's not for me, outside of an opinion to suggest so. If I have led you to believe I have singled you out I am clearly at fault. My retort was a reflex action to a day of remembrance and commemoration. Please your word is the last on this matter.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Can you guys not even give it a rest for one day of remembrance for the suffering of innocents?

I'm still waiting for an answer as to what these women, kids and defenceless old people actually did to deserve it?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

How innocent were those suffered people? They were all combat personals 70years ago. Imperial Japan had committed a total war which includef all living people were combat ready. If allied invasion forces ever landed onshore, they will met with arrows,spears,spikes threwing towards them from children.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Abe analysis ---- he is scared of consrevatiive. His grandfather Kishi met Ike in USA, returned Japan almost killed by a conservative on airplane steps. Only yak froup was areondwe than Uyoju then. Yak groups all over in Japan made Welcome Ile offices.

I think he is anti A Bomb How grand uncle quitted political lpfe and went a;; over the qoels ro explain no more Abomb/ He went dangerou middle east etc.

fther in law of this persom defied hItler and Japam Emnassy in China send all Kewis to Ja[am. Their family line have scaared death peop;e since Meiji Isjin winning.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

We did no know Kokuira was target but weather obstructed to go to Kokura so 2nd A bomb went to NGASAKI. I read on Asahi and Mainihi inside of Bokugo. Smmere rexwaa of axhools in Japan. Rumor was that if Christian place got Genshi Bakudan, the end of Japan. Fortunately only effect I developed of WW II was my nearsgght. Teachers used tease me you watched pikadon of Hiroshima on your house's monomiyagura.

About existence of Pikadon orphan. A physician wrote a book of his experience in Nagasaki. It is in Englisih and published in USA that is why Kennedy knows but Japanese are not aware of. their mothers were pregnant, they were born, mothers dead. I don;t want to read anything WW II in USA but my daughters collect anything about Japan to give me and crowd my homw library. I'd bet Kennedy jknows vivtim;s life than Japanese except Ane;s grand unvle

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japanese leaders including Hideki Tojo were given a choice, surrender or atomic bombings. ############################################################################### They chose atomic bombings. There is nothing morally justifiable about wars and their atrocities.

Are the atomic bombings on Japan by the USA morally justifiable ?

Are the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians in Nanjing, China by Japanese soldiers morally justifiable ?

Are the internment or imprisonment of American citizens of Japanese ancestry by the USA government during World War 2 morally justifiable ?

No, they are ALL NOT morally justifiable. But, both Japan and its adversaries have done them.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

The spires of the Catholic Cathedral, the largest in East Asia, were used for targeting by the bombardier. Survivors rebuilt the cathedral at the original site. It is the only church in the world built at the site of a nuclear bomb explosion.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Gen Tojo was alerady ousted and RADICAL MILITARY WAS IN p0wer IN 1945

No one in Japan could figure out England radio warning about new kind of bombing. Tokyo Rpse said she does not understand. She was announcer for GIs and also announcer to calm JAPanese. Tojo was not in power/ PM for military Govt suicided before Some KunaiCho officials helped Gyokuon ChokuGo. Tokyo Rose was in Sugamo quite many years. These people are not alive now.

One thing England was telling us new kindf of bomb including don't watch Hiroshima sky

1 ( +2 / -1 )

This letter is in response to the articles covering the Fukushima disaster in Japan and the 70th Anniversary of the Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

According to the articles: “The unfolding disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant follows decades of falsified safety reports, fatal accidents and underestimated earthquake risk in Japan’s atomic power industry.” Where have we heard this before? It never fails to amaze me that change always has to be the result of catastrophe. Whether it be Hurricane Katrina, the Indonesian Tsunami or the terrible disaster that occurred in Japan no government officials are ever held accountable with what only can be described as criminal negligence. It is somewhat satisfying to see that three former executives of the Tokyo Electric Power Company will face trial. The same needs to happen in the United States especially as it pertains to the financial meltdown that occurred in 2008.

Rousseau's treatise on the social contract suggests that “individuals unite into a society by a process of mutual consent, agreeing to abide by certain rules and to accept duties to protect one another from violence, fraud, or negligence.” {Wikipedia}. Hence the existence of government and the number one priority; protection of its citizens. Sadly this is happening less and less to the point where government is compromising {and hence forfeiting} the right to govern. The question before the Japanese people is: did your government fail to act in your best interests or was it compromised by self interest? Why must it be accepted that this is “business as usual” and “the way things are done”. When did governing stop including responsibility as a part of its makeup? Perhaps the Japanese people need to reexamine the character {or lack thereof} of it’s governing officials and put systems in place that prevent this type of negligence from continuing to occur. It is obvious from the revolutions sweeping the Arab nations that leaders chose to squeeze everything they could from their citizens until it was too late. Hosni Mubarak, Zine El Abidine, Ben Ali and soon Bashar al-Assad must all be executed {just as Muammar Gaddafi} for crimes against humanity. Japan, now it is your turn to make change. Enough with FUK-U-SHIMA.

Now as to 70th Anniversary of the Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima; it was fully justified. The Japanese people had become so barbaric in nature that only a Sodom/Gomorrah type blast could shake Emperor Hirohito {half man- half-god} to order the military to surrender. After Nagasaki the next target was Tokyo. Hirohito spoke wisely when he stated "if we don't surrender now they {USA} will obliterate us from the Earth."

"The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara is a 2003 American documentary film about the life and times of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara illustrating his observations of the nature of modern warfare." {Wikipedia} In that movie McNamara admits that the wood supporting the Japanese pagoda homes was so dry that when the U.S. Army-Air Corp dropped incendiary bombs the fires were so great that far more Japanese died than from the two atomic bombs combined.

Further it is clear from reading Japanese history that the people did not object to the mass invasions, pillaging, murders and rapes of those people living in China, Korea, Philippines etc. Those same people would not have been crying for the citizens of the United States had they developed the bomb first and dropped it on New York City {and yes they most certainly would have}. Those same people thought nothing of knowing full well that American POWs were tortured so badly to see how long it would take to expire from the pain inflicted.

Yes, President Harry S. Truman made the right decision to drop the atomic bomb in order to defeat such a evil menace of people that became so out of control. The Japanese people should be gracious their military was defeated and their country was not exterminated from the Earth. Fukushima clearly illustrates that Japan has no real interest in protecting its people from nuclear radiation. Not much has changed in 70 years; has it?

Joe Bialek Cleveland, OH USA "Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric." Bertrand Russell

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

There is no MORAL JUSTIFICATION for many bombings during World War 2 because they attack hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, such as : (1) the atomic bombings of 2 Japanese cities by the USA . (2) the bombings of Chinese cities by Japan. (3) the bombings of UK cities by Germany, etc.

Japan is NOT BLAMELESS because the Japanese leaders during World War 2 were given the option of unconditional surrender or atomic bombing, they chose atomic bombing.

The Japanese people are NOT BLAMELESS because they DID NOT vigorously OPPOSE and DID ALLOW leaders who GLORIFY WARS like Hideki Tojo, and now PM Abe to become government leaders.

Japanese voters, fulfill your duty as a citizen by voting, and voting for the candidates who DO NOT GLORIFY WARS at the next elections ! Think of the tens of millions of innocent Japanese who have died or permanently crippled during World War 2 because of the actions of EVIL leaders when you vote.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

On August 15,1945 a recording of the Emperor's surrender speech was broadcast over the radio (the first time the Emperor was heard on the radio by the Japanese people) signifying the unconditional surrender of Japan's military forces. The historic broadcast is known as the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War ("Jewel Voice Broadcast"): "Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should We continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization."

One can only hope humanity has learned the lessons of the mid 20th century and the mid 21st century will be a time peaceful coexistence.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Let's say, to those of you who all say it is a moral, right thing to do (and there were not any other more options left but to drop the goddammed bomb the second time around) Let us say some of you here are infact correct and accurate on your claims that Hiroshima Bombing was rightfully justified and necessary to force Japan to surrender.. but

(Fact no. 1) Japan still refuses to unconditionally surrender to the US yet, despite "Little boy" already being dropped ; 3 days went by.. a weapon as massive, deadly harmful as an Atomic bomb just only 3 days, three days after Hiroshima, with all the horrendous informations of what it did already reported to you and are already in your hands, and you now know what it had done to Hiroshima.

Fact no. 2) Key word here → 3 days, in a matter of just only 3 days -- "Would you still (in your rightful mind, conscience and full-reasoning) again drop another deadly atomic bomb this time in another different Japanese city??" because the Japanese still wouldn't surrender, even if the US at the time of those 3 days between Aug. 6th and Aug. 9th know what a terrible weapon they had just used on humans civilians.. "Would you again.. i ask you #nerveShattering (/_;)/~~ Would you still drop the second A-bomb??" Given the..

Fact no. 3) that you know, are aware, was promised to and been notified by STALIN that he will declare war with Japan on the "9th of August"..

Now Here Fact no.4) Would you still choose or consider dropping the second bomb knowing the Emperor is already on the brink of giving in and ready to give his surrender speech hours away after learning Stalin's Soviets troops are already closing in to their borders arriving in Japanese territory in the North and had just declared war against their Imperial Goverment that 9th of August... Would you still drop again the second bomb? Or will you wait till the Russians are already firing in the woods of North of Hokkaido just like as how Stalin had promised Truman he will do「which was to invade Japan on the 9th of August」? Would you not or would you still wait and give some more time, just a little more time... would you consider giving just one last thought.. maybe there are some other more less-destructive ways to make Japan surrender??? What is the rush in dropping another second bomb to Japan when Stalin had promised Truman he would do come the 9th of Aug., they will declare war and invade Japan

(Fact no.5 -- in which a promise Stalin kept eventually) will you still decide on the bomb option? Honestly try to ask yourself. Can i wait more before taking an action as heavy of a consequence as this? Would you consider to drop or not to drop... another nuclear bomb after all these considerations a leader must responsibly take and must decide?? Will you pause and hesitate after giving in some of those thoughts?? Perhaps we should take a less-destructive way and drop "Fat Man" somewhere less populated.. in the mountains or in the Japan Sea or the Pacific maybe?? We already nuked Hiroshima just days ago so why not this time i will try to think more and make Japan surrender by negotiating instead.. i ought to try i guess.. If we wanna make a stop Japan what other options we could do??? These.. , are some questions i kept on asking myself many times..。 My answer is no, the second bomb wasn't needed. It clearly shouldn't happen.

How about YOU? What would you do? If you're to decide for Nagasaki to be bombed? Is it really needed and necessary? Or it could have been prevented?

Fact no. 6 --- they had decided. It was done! The 2nd Nuclear Bomb in History was dropped in Nagasaki 「9th day of August, 1945 • 11: 02 am」

With all the shams, chaos, drudgery, and evil of war our countries have been involved at.. i pray to GOD, PM Abe is this time really sincere in his intentions and promises to not support any lenient new laws that would put Japan's Peace and People in jeopardy in the future. I haven't really liked this PM eversince.. but i couldn't wait to hear of what he has to say come August 15.

Rest in Peace all the victims of Hiroshima, and Nagasaki.. May every Nuclear Weapons of today, kept and in the hands of those who think and deemed it is necessary -- may never, ever see and feel the need and purpose to use it.. I am all for the Nagasaki people in the article above - Abolish and Against Nuclear possession here forever. Peace on Earth.. and Gooodwill to men.。

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@newyorknewyork....of course the innocents that day were innocent. Of course.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

i hate it when japanese people and politicians say that japan is the only country to have suffered the horrors of a nuclear bomb. playing the victim card glosses over the fact that japan committed horrific acts on many countries in asia. and the bombing of pearl harbor killed thousands. those people are the true victims in this war, not japan.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

@pat: The way I look at there was a lot of atrocities done on all sides, but some people here just want to use this day to bash the US.

No, Pat. We do not want to bash the US. Because there are people in that big country who do use their brains and question the policies of their government/s. Many non-Americans, however, are fed up with the hypocrisy of the US governments, their foreign policies, their meddling with the internal affairs of independent states, attacking sovereign countries saying that it is all for peace, etc. etc. Loving/being proud of your nationality is one thing, not questioning your government’s actions is another. Doing both things at the same time puts you in the category of nationalistic thugs (and believe me, there are such people everywhere)

@elephant: How innocent were those suffered people? They were all combat personals 70years ago. Imperial Japan had committed a total war which includef all living people were combat ready.

And so were the babies and toddlers, the children of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Your avatar suggests a little more intelligence than is shown by your comments.

@nakanoguy: i hate it when japanese people and politicians say that japan is the only country to have suffered the horrors of a nuclear bomb.

Hate is as much as you like but your hate does not change the fact that no other country has been subjected to nuclear destruction, and not once but twice. While Japan can do better in paying respect to the people who were killed by the IJA up to 1945, if their remembering the A-bombings keeps the country as a pacifist one, I do not have any objections to their stating the fact that it is only Japan that has experienced nuclear destruction.

@nakanoguy: playing the victim card glosses over the fact that japan committed horrific acts on many countries in asia. and the bombing of pearl harbor killed thousands.

You are trying to compare two very different things. Japan as a state was not a victim. However, the children, women, men, elderly people – civilians – who were mass murdered by the bombs or suffered for life because of their effects were victims and I hope the day will come when people can see the difference between civilians and military and stop justifying the killing of civilians because an army did this or that.

@nakanoguy: those people are the true victims in this war, not japan.

Can you really make a distinction between true and untrue victims of war?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

@nakanoguy01 Hear! Hear! You said it well.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The Imperial Japanese Army killed more unarmed, defenseless civilians at Nanking than were killed by both Atomic bombs, combined.

At least 20 million Chinese were killed by Imperial Japanese forces between 1931 and 1945. At least 40,000 Dutch civilians were intentionally starved to death by the Japanese military. The casualties among the Philippines, the Koreans, the Brits, the Aussies, and the Americans, were horrendous.

Does anyone deny that the world is a better place today, because Imperial Japan was defeated? Even the people living in Japan, today, are better off than they would have been under the brutal military rule of Imperial Japan.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Hate is as much as you like but your hate does not change the fact that no other country has been subjected to nuclear destruction, and not once but twice. While Japan can do better in paying respect to the people who were killed by the IJA up to 1945, if their remembering the A-bombings keeps the country as a pacifist one, I do not have any objections to their stating the fact that it is only Japan that has experienced nuclear destruction.

can do better? how about actually bringing up the fact that they committed horrible crimes in asia. taniguchi only explains about what horror was inflicted on japan.

You are trying to compare two very different things. Japan as a state was not a victim. However, the children, women, men, elderly people – civilians – who were mass murdered by the bombs or suffered for life because of their effects were victims and I hope the day will come when people can see the difference between civilians and military and stop justifying the killing of civilians because an army did this or that.

i have no idea what you are talking about. this is a non sequitor. do you think the IJA killed only soldiers? they raped and killed thousands of women, and they killed tens of thousands of civilians, including children. japan is not the only victim here. in fact, the bombing is a direct consequence of their barbarism.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

1glenn talking out of his nether regions.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@1glennA

The Imperial Japanese Army killed more unarmed, defenseless civilians at Nanking than were killed by both Atomic bombs, combined.

At least 20 million Chinese were killed

Neither of those statement is accurate. I do wish people would be more attentive to historical details.

I still don't see how slaughtering innocent women and children is logical "payback" or has any connection to the actions carried out by the IJA.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Al Jazeera reported that Abe got heckled at the ceremony in a similar way to the way he was heckled in Okinawa. People were interrupting his speech and so on.

Did anyone else here this?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If anyone can find a legal way in which to bind China into accepting international laws, then pacifism for Japan and Asia could be possible.

Without it, I cannot see how Japan can adopt pacifism.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

History may be strongly influenced my the winner of a war, but that doesn't always mean they are wrong on all accounts. Also the input of various nations, including victim nations (e.g. Indonesia, Burma, the Philippines, Malaysia, Korea, etc.) should be considered.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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