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A-bomb survivors want Obama to meet them, apologize in Hiroshima

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He said the survivors want Obama to know that their suffering is not limited to immediate damage and visible, physical scars. They also suffered discrimination at work, in marriage and in other areas of their lives, from their own people in Japan, said Fujimori

So you want Obama to apologise for the ignorance of your own people ?

67 ( +73 / -6 )

Sure thing. And then right after that Abe can go to Nanking and apologize to the victims,there.

Yeah, the guy in the background of the picture pretty well captures how I feel about the whole thing.

39 ( +39 / -0 )

Cue the Frozen theme song, 'Let it go!" Obama had as much to do with the bombings as I did. It's strange how the Japanese complain about how ridiculous it is for the Asian comfort women used in Japanese WW2 brothels to keep requesting apologies, but here we are with the Japanese doing exactly the same thing! Hypocrites! Do we see each Japanese prime minister lining up to apologise to all the Asian countries they invaded? Of course not! So why should Obama? "Let it go!"

34 ( +35 / -1 )

A-bomb survivors want Obama to meet them, apologize in Hiroshima

Sex slaves survivors want Abe to meet them and apologise. China would also appreciate a visit to Nanking. It's as I feared: Obama's visit for all its alleged good intent, is being hijacked. I can just imagine Obama being cornered by a group of these people. What's he going to say then? What was done to them was terrible, but Japan was a perpetrator of World War 2. Not a victim.

33 ( +35 / -2 )

While I can empathize with their feelings I would suggest they not hold their breaths. On the other hand IF he does create a shit-storm by apologizing he will put Abe on a hot plate regarding Pearl Harbor and all the rest of the atrocities committed by the IJA and others during WWII.

Interesting dilemma. Yet it too shall be over shadowed by the recent death down here in Okinawa, as it will again put pressure on both Obama and Abe to resolve the issues down here.

26 ( +30 / -4 )

Where would this end ? An apology in Nagasaki also ? For those in Tokyo, too, for the fire-bombings ?

He's going as a symbolic gesture in line with his hope for a nuclear weapons-free world, this is enough.

20 ( +22 / -2 )

He will not be apologizing. On the other hand, he will not be saying "Remember the Rape of Nanjing, Remember Pearl Harbor, Remember the Bataan Death March." I could go on. The bombing was one of the best policy decisions of WW2 - it helped to avoid millions of deaths on both sides, ending the war quickly and decisively.

19 ( +24 / -5 )

These professional moaners and leaders of a "victimhood industry" should show some gratitude to the President for even coming to visit - and be thankful that the U.S. ended the war.

There will be - and never should be - any apology. The rudeness of these "leaders" is staggering.

18 ( +20 / -2 )

They want an apology? Go straight to the Govt of Japan and demand an apology for being the cause of all this. .

18 ( +20 / -2 )

There will be NO apology.

If Japan had nuclear bombs in WWII they would have done the same.

Japan doesn't need nor deserve an apology for WWII. They should apologise to their own people for causing the WAR in the first place.

I got it, maybe the Emperor of Japan should apologize every year.

18 ( +20 / -2 )

A-bomb survivors want Obama to meet them, apologize in Hiroshima

better Obama should avoid such a controversial and un-thankful visit to Hiroshima.

13 ( +18 / -5 )

Ignore them. Kamei is a loon and the nut behind him needs no introduction.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

I'm sorry you bit off more than you could chew. I'm sorry your government got you into such a mess. I'm sorry you think you deserve an apology from the US.

Hopefully that will suffice.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Disgusting. japan endlessly sidesteps the appalling misery it caused. In endless denial. And THEY want an apology?!

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Who started the war with the attack on Pearl Harbor?

10 ( +13 / -3 )

It was war, whether your city was atomic bombed by the Americans, or fire bombed by the Americans, or was refused to be declared an Open City (Manila, 1945) which forced the Americans to fight street by street to root out the IJA, when back in 1942 it was basically declared an Open City by the Americans and allowed the IJA to enter will little damage, or any other city that had multiple deaths attributed to either side, it was war. The politicians and people at the time thought this was the best solution to solve their problems.

Now if the USA just willy-nilly dropped an atomic bomb on a city in a place we were not at war with for an experiment, then they deserve and apology. But not in this case, it was just another instrument of destruction.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Is that uncle Ishi on the right?

YES, him and Kamei are utter douches. I bet you these guys forced the group to ask for an apology for their own agenda.

Just let Obama visit and let bygones be bygones. It will be better for everyone.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Well I'm Japanese and I feel lucky. I prefer the US to Russia and this would've been USSR-J in 1946 had things turned out differently. Not to mention Japan probably changed for the better in the last 70 years. When I say better I mean better for us the people, not some group of politicians who wanna take over surrounding areas.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbour? Because their aggressive overseas expansion, while included the slaughter in Nanking - led to trade embargoes. Granted, in the months before Pearl Harbour Japan didn't have many options: withdraw from her conquests or attack the USSR or the US. But Japan's own actions led to that. Suffice to say if Japan had surrendered earlier we wouldn't be having the debate about nuclear weapons today - there would have been no opportunity to use them.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

When in Rome.....so Obama should issue a Japanese a "apology" starting with "we regret...."

8 ( +10 / -2 )

I read on these very pages that there was no apology expected.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Is that uncle Ishi on the right?

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I don't think Japan understands that there is no conversation in the US of an "apology" when it comes to the nuclear.

There is conversation about whether it was right, wrong, necessary or not, but not an apology.

Japan, China, and Korea are basically the only three countries left with these "apology issues" for a long past war that the rest of the world has moved on from.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

it helped to avoid millions of deaths on both sides, ending the war quickly and decisively.

Not just on both sides, on all sides. The biggest winners were China and other territories occupied by Japan, where people were dying is great numbers from violence and hunger.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Jalapeño: "Smith - I don't think it'll be a HUGE embarrassment for the nation if most Japanese (young, middle-aged, whatever) actually agree with these elderly people."

That's because you're not thinking about what the consequences would be. Abe would be forced to apologize to Obama, who may well be forced, if asked to apologize on the spot, to say "no" to the victims, turning a landmark event into a disaster. The wingers will make it a circus, and the nation will be embarrassed. Likewise, no politician from the US or other nations would ever come again for a similar purpose.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

In yesterday's FCCJ press conference with Shintaro Ishihara (former mayor/governor of Tokyo) and Shizuka Kamei, the two also spoke extensively about the prospect of a Trump presidency, America's role as the world's policeman, long rambling regarding the long history of world hegemony by the white race (Ishihara), harebrained theories about world dominance (Ishihara), Japan's superiority when it comes to winning Nobel Prizes and more juicy tidbits of wisdom.

This is the best of Japan's right wing ultra-nationalist establishment (sarcasm). I pity the interpreter here. She did an outstanding job.

Here is the footage of the complete FCCJ press conference with Shintaro Ishihara and Shizuka Kamei (English & Japanese, 1hr 30mn) Kamei's statement on the atomic bombs starts at the 32h 47sec mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nUsACQGolM

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Here is Ishihara’s juciest quote from the FCCJ press conference (in my opinion). I couldn't believe he said it.

Upon being asked essentially, "why do you think it is necessary to bring about China's collapse/overthrow?" he replied "I want it to collapse because I hate that country" (「なぜ崩壊させなければいけないのか」と質問されると、「私が中国崩壊され、嫌いだから、あの国が」返事。). That is quintessential Ishihara at his best — always the diplomat.

Ishihara's remark follows on his 'advice' on what the U.S. can do to engineer China's downfall, and following a question by a reporter from Hong Kong Phoenix TV asking why it is necessary to take China down. His remark starts at the 1:21:05 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nUsACQGolM

8 ( +8 / -0 )

tideofiron MAY. 20, 2016 - 01:38PM JST My grandfather was captured by the Japanese early in the war and subjected to torture and years of forced labor under inhuman conditions. After the war ended, he returned home completely broken. Until the day he died, he would wake up every single night screaming until my grandmother could manage to calm him down. No one ever apologized to him nor was he ever compensated for slaving for a Japanese company (that still exists today) for free.

As a government it is in their duties to acknowledge the wrongdoings of their forefathers and help prevent such things from occurring again. Unfortunately, the same history has countless, consistent denial by high-ranking Japanese officials denying that sadistic war time crimes ever took place. The real message of the war criminals being enshrined at Yasukuni is that no matter what you do, no matter how much suffering you inflict, if you have Japanese blood in your veins you are ok. On the other hand if you are foreigner, no matter how much they have suffered it is not important, you are not Japanese. Considering the suffering inflicted on neighboring Asian countries by Japan is it so hard to call them the 'invasions' that they are rather than 'advances'? If Hiroshima and Nagasaki are crimes then surely Japan's wartime actions are also crimes, why is it so easy for Japanese people to acknowledge A-bomb victims and so hard to acknowledge Asian victims of Japan's wartime aggression? Simple, The A-bomb victims were Japanese and therefore important and the others were foreign and therefore less than human and unimportant. That is the underlying fact that is hard to move beyond that for Japan.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I read on these very pages that there was no apology expected.

@sillygirl

First they got Obama to agree to the visit amid widespread claims that nobody was seeking an apology, which incidentally was echoed by certain people posting on this website. Now it just so happens to turn out that people connected with the peace museum are publicly seeking an apology. There is definitely some bait and switch going on here. Sneaky tactics.

Harold Agnew (now deceased), who flew as a scientific observer on the Hiroshima bombing mission, visited Hiroshima and was pretty much ambushed by two Hiroshima survivors demanding an apology, which he did not give. The incident was by Japan's TBS Television in a documentary roughly translated as "a man who developed and dropped the atomic bomb visits Hiroshima for the first time" (原爆を開発・投下した男初の広島...).

Here is the documentary (9' 43", English/Japanese subtitles). The apology part starts from the 6' 45" mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNxQpDcYHKU

7 ( +8 / -1 )

How about they apologize to the survivors of all those who they have raped and treated as comfort women in the Philippines / Korea? yeah, thought so.

Sorry for biting more than you can chew, and paying the price for it.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Kamei... Isn't he the one that acknowledged receiving money from the Yamaguchi-gumi? Isn't he that one that moved Hiroshima Airport and Hiroshima University's main campus out into the boonies so that his family can profit from "tochi korogashi" (a quick land turnover)? I once saw him on TV eating a banana in the backseat of his limo. When he was finished, the threw the peel on the floor of the limo and said that the driver can pick it up later.

Shizuka Kamei, a national lawmaker from Hiroshima whose sister died in the blast, said Obama is not welcome without an apology.

Kamei is not very welcomed here in Hiroshima either.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

tinawatanabeMAY. 20, 2016 - 09:44AM JST "Who started the war?"

USA

I know how this story goes; "The US forced Japan to surprise attack Pearl Harbor and rampage through the entire Asian continent murdering, torturing and raping millions of men, women and children. What a terrible country America is for making Japan do that.

The idea that the US apologies for the atomic bombs is ludicrously insulting to all the victims of the imperialist Japanese army during the war.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Christopher Glen: "Japan is everything it is today because of that same restraint."

Including, sadly, the denial it's and their right wing propaganda. Had they executed Abe's war-criminal grandfather and others instead of giving them a pass, it might be a nation that does not desire to go back down that road again.

Sensato: thanks for the links. Japan needs to apologize, clearly, for the likes of Ishihara and Kamei, and those who believe and preach the same things.

Ch3cho: please do go ahead and tell us how Pearl Harbor was not Japan's fault, then -- how they had no choice. That can easily be countered by saying the US had no choice but to drop the bombs and stop Japam -- see how that works. Oh, and when you replay the lie about how Japan had no choice because of embargoes, try and re,e,beer WHY the embargoes were there.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Perhaps Obama should take Kamei at his word. With all the expectation it wouldn't do much for Kamei and his standing if Obama were to quit the visit now but if Obama were to visit as a private citizen we could see his personal sincerity and not think he was just trying to create a legacy. Perhaps Kamei would really be there to meet him having overcome his reputation as a spoiler. Kamei himself belongs to a fundamentalist shinto group, 神道政治連盟国会議員懇談会 (Shinto Political Alliance Diet Member's Roundtable), is a long-time supporter of Shintaro Ishihara, opposed foreigners' local political participation and rights during his time in the cabinet of the ruling Minshuto, and, perhaps paradoxically, considering his support for reinstating shinto, was a member of a group for separating religion and state when PM Hosokawa was a bit too close to Soka Gakkai.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

We should be thanking the US for not taking revenge on Japan after the war, and instead, helping set the stage for Japan to become one of the worlds top economies.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Yes, Tina has been reading those books by those conspiracy theorist again. If he said it, well it must be true.

FDR knew about the plan to bomb Peril Harbor because he and Tojo were actually friends and FDR collaborated with him because, secretly, FDR hated the U.S.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

I am writing this out of being very frustrated by those right-wing or extreme groups of people. Do not listen to anything what those people are saying, especially any words from Mr.Kamei. He is exactly the Japanese version of Mr. Tramp. What we, the general Hiroshimaite, are seeking for is a world where everyone can live without fear of nuclear weapons, wars and any conflicts, not seeking for an apology.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

@Smith. Exactly

6 ( +7 / -1 )

CH3CHOMAY. 20, 2016 - 01:01PM JST Uwe PaschenMAY. 20, 2016 - 09:04AM JST Who started the war with the attack on Pearl Harbor? Apart from the apology issues, I feel Americans scarcely know WHY Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Probably, they do not teach it in school. Lack of that learning will bring repeated tragedies to the US in future.

Is there any other reason except that they greedily wanted to make all of Asia their resources colonies? And do NOT give that BS that it was to 'save' Asia from the west.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

CH3CHO: Please enlighten everyone here as to the reasons Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Apologize for what is right, I mean like the arrogance. Listen to these 2 oyaji. The US cant survive without Japans technology and Trump should study Japan more because the US depends on Japan...lol. Imagine if they would of won the war, this crap 24/7 is what you could expect. Help them rebuild and remilitarize and this is what you get. Grant it, its not all Japanese but these 2 guys, geez.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

@ TinaW

Im no historian but i do enjoy reading and im pretty sure the USA did not start WW2 (im not American btw), if my memory serves me right it was some nutter invading Poland. I think is name was Adolf something or other...... I could be wrong, please feel free to correct my ignorance.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Apology for what?? A-bombs saved a lot of Japanese lives. An ground assault by allied forces into Japan proper would have resulted in much greater death toll. The US do not owe an apology for the A-bombings. Obama should cancel his visit to Hiroshima.

5 ( +16 / -11 )

Politics is a funny thing. If it were people talking to people Im fairly sure he would say Im sorry for what you went through, perhaps not that it happened though.. but if you start with demanding official apologies Japan has got a fair few it should be getting through as well.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

"But many of the survivors don’t think they can do without an apology at all.”

This is why Obama should cancel. They're already cornering him and reneging on promises. It's unfortunate,must entirely predictable.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

They also suffered discrimination at work, in marriage and in other areas of their lives, from their own people in Japan,

Keyword: their own people.

I suppose you want Obama to apologize for Japanese atrocities too.

Is that Ishihara in the background? I thought he kicked the bucket ages ago. Awakes from the dead now and again. This guy has habit of causing trouble and disappearing.

And Kamei Jabba, please retire. These people still want to rule over Japan, even when they're on their deathbed.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I love Japan but we should not apologize for ending a war they started. There are NO innocents in war. The enemy is the enemy. Dropping the atomic bombs was the right thing to do if you were not Japanese. Hitler was trying to develop the atomic bomb, think he would not have dropped it on us? The Japanese would have cheered him on. Have they apologized for Bataan? War is hell and we unleashed hell on our enemies. That is the way war is. Get over it. Ironic, recently I introduced one of my good friends, a native Japanese who was visiting the US, to a WWII vet who fought against the Japanese. They enjoyed meeting each other and had the vet had no hard feelings. I have seen similar reactions with many WWII vets who hold no hard feelings towards their old enemies. The past is the past. Let the dead bury themselves. As for me, I won't apologize for dropping "the bomb"; but, I won't hold a grudge either. Japan is a wonderful country and the Japanese are a great people. There is absolutely no reason that America and Japan should not be good friends. But neither need to apologize for what previous generations did. Pearl Harbor and Bataan were then, Nagasaki and Hiroshima were then, we are now. The past is the past. Neither side should forget the lesson the past teaches. But no one can apologize for what they did not do.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

It's "Britain", timtak. Have you forgotten?

There is no requirement for a concept to be captured in one word. Critical reflection will do well enough. But as for powers of critical reflection, on a national scale, I see very little in Japan. Collective narcissism might be closer.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Didn't more people die from napalm filled bombs dropped on Tokyo, which burned people alive? That's pretty much been erased in Western history books. But then again, the victor usually rewrites the history to their vintage. didnt more Asians die by the millions, slaughtered women and children by the hands of the IJA, that's non-existant in Japanese history books. But then again the defeated aggression has no right to dictate how history should be written.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Obama's planned visit to Hiroshima is a big mistake. His visit will re-open wounds which have taken the past 75 years to heal.

The Japanese may have valid gripes/rage about what the United States did to their country to end the war, but the Americans have a stronger argument about the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

President Truman's goal/objective was to end the war as quickly as possible. Judging from the fierce Japanese defense of Iwo Jima, a quick surrender by the Japanese wasn't going to happen. It took a second bomb on Nagasaki to convince the Japanese to surrender. The first bomb on Hiroshima was not convincing enough.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

CH3CHO: Please enlighten everyone here as to the reasons Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. yes please do, I'd certainly like to hear your expert opinion on Japans political and internal affairs at that time in history. And being an expert please quote some sources both Japanese and foreign alike, let try and keep it as neutral as possible without any personal right wing agenda attached.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

“If he is not going to show remorse or offer an apology, he shouldn’t come,” he told a separate news conference. “Is he going to Hiroshima for sightseeing? Then please come after stepping down as president. I’ll be there to welcome him.”

Shizuka Kamei will never let principles get in the way of getting some coin.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Obama is foolish for even entertaining the thought of going there in the first place.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

It's not all about you, Japan!!! Stop thinking selfishly, for your damage from your atrocities made to the Americans, Hawaiians, Filipinos, Koreans, Chamorros, inhabitants all around the Pacific Theatre at that time, have also created heartbreaking scars, memories, bitter emotions. These mentioned all deserve YOUR apology as well.It's not all about you, Japan!!! Peace out.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Like I said before Obama confirmed, I WISH a US prez could visit Hiroshima etc BUT at the current time Japan sadly doesn't deserve it, but looks like Obama is going anyway.

And Strangerland, surely you knew while abe etc said no apology expected, THAT others would quickly DEMAND one.........

Obama can still pull the plug, but it would be a tremendous blow to Japan now, so he is now pretty much FORCED to go.

While it would hurt Japan, I really hope Obama makes it CLEAR that he hopes to never face a foe like the US & its allies did in the 1940's where they would need to consider using nukes again!

And these sufferers in Hiroshima seriously need to take up their grievances with Tokyo not the US!! It just shows how ignorant so many are about WWII in Japan, it SHOULD be embarrassing.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Yes, Obama should apologize after both the Emperor and Prime Minister apologize for USS Panay (PR-5) attacked in 1937 (not an accident, the Japanese were notorious for their accuracy), Unit 731 (Biological & Chemical Research & Development Unit in China 1932 to 1945 that used many thousands of humans as subjects), Nanking Massacre (1937), Pearl Harbor attack (Dec 7, 1941), Bataan Death March (1942) and Rape of Manila (Feb 1945). All had imperial connections! German apologized for their war crimes, Japan has not admitted nor apologized.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Stranger land: "Japan has not asked for an apology, nor is Japan expecting one."

Obviously incorrect, since the article is about representatives of Japan demanding an apology. As GW, I, and others have said, now is not the time. These fools have ruined it; Obama should cancel. Otherwise, I have the distinct feeling people like these clowns will show up, using victims as tools, and turn the whole visit, which should be for good, into a HUGE embarrassment for the nation, and a disappointment for the victims.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

How about this; 1) Thank you Obama for visiting Hiroshima. 2) Thank you for USoA for ending the war 3) Thank you for USoA making us No. 2 (until 2010) 4) Thank you Obama for reminding Abe it's time to go to Nanjing

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Mike3113King: " That's pretty much been erased in Western history books."

It's not given as much study, to be sure, but that is even more of an issue in Japan, where last year on the 70th anniversary many people in and around Tokyo -- JAPANESE people -- lamented the fact that the firebombing is hardly mentioned and barely known, unlike the atomic bombings. As such that is more of a problem here than there.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

One does not apologize for ending the Imperial military junta. Instead it should be celebrated for ending their reign of terror

Truman has a choice of targets, Kyoto being one. He said no and chose a lesser known port town of Hiroshima

4 ( +6 / -2 )

the US and western allies won the war - and what? massive economic aid for japan and germany - basically funding the "economic" miracle that japan likes to take credit for. If Japan and Germany had won we would all be living in the equivalent of North Korea.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@ 5Petals -

"...A short history of Japanese war crimes"

Short History? I think one would need to build a few bookshelves to house all those volumes!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

For me it's simple. Let Japan & the other Axis nations own their own actions that led to the creation & use of this horrible weapon..... FIRST. Then we can talk.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Japan did not ask for an apology

But the hibakusha are asking for an apology. Obama better not give them one. He should do exactly like Kerry did. Go to Hiroshima for 50 minutes. Not a second more. Run his mouth, (like he usually does) then bail out.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Two points about the end of WW2. America was daily firebombing Japanese cities and its arguable that continuing those raids would, over a period of time, killed just as many civilian Japanese as the A-Bomb.

Secondly, picture the reaction of US citizens had the US lost 100,000 soldiers in the invasion of Japan and then it was discovered that Truman had held back a weapon that could have saved those lives?

3 ( +8 / -5 )

mystery to solve - why people in 2016 need to apologize for history happened before 1945?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Its the losers psychology, its their coping strategy. Admit-tingly, the defeat that Japan suffered, being knocked down from the pinnacle they were own on, it must of been devastating for the elite. To control most of Asia and succeed, then have it all taken away, wow thats too heavy to even try to process. To cope with that, enter the conspiracy theorist. But for the everyday Japanese, I think it was a relief that the leash was off, if only temporarily.

People like Tina are not representative of all Japanese, but only a few, who are looking for something they cant find and unable to control what they are surrounded with. Its not unique to Japan, other countries have the same groups. I think Tina should explore post war history more, like the reverse course, for example

3 ( +4 / -1 )

C. Glen,

Enough man with the Russian angle already eh!! YES Russia figured into the MIX of reasons the bombs were dropped, they were NOT the main reason, it was time to end the bloody war, the nukes did that!

Showing the Russians the bombs weren't was simply a bonus on ending a real nasty 15years of HELL!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Strangerland, you are being disingenuous. Abe speaks for japan and what he says officially is how it is? Yeah, like he declines to visit yasukuni but by some strange coincidence his wife goes instead. This is such a japanese setup Obama is walking into.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he will escort him and suggested that no apology is necessary.....

A symbolic visit, in my opinion a misjudgement. Open to misinterpretation, and whiffs of jesture politics.

Shizuka Kamei opinion does not warrant this amount of media attention.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@tideofiron

I would of liked to met your grandfather but he probably would of refused to tell us his stories. I can only imagine what those guys went through. Ive only had a small taste of the Japan experience, but some of what you mention is still alive and well in Japan. and thats why I say, I have no doubts they would of done on thousand fold worse to us than what we did to them

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Those "victims" from Hiroshima need to be given some history books other than those issued by the J-government and then they would understand why they got bombed.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

That whole video speaks volumes of sinking, and inferiority complex. The US needs to learn from Japan, Trump needs to study Japan, Japan produces all the Nobel Prize winners, the US could not of produced a fighter jet without Japan, the West is responsible for all the problems in the world, Westerners are racist therefore the radical islam problem etc etc. Kamei just a lackey for his sempai Ishi.

Kind of sad

BTW, the blue diode was not originally discovered by the Japanese, it was discovered by a scientist at RCA, but they went broke and stopped the R&D and the japanese picked up where they left off. With the funding and determination RCA would of developed it long before the Japanese got to it

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Apologise for what? Look so many people are completely clueless and ignorant of history. Research and get facts. Japan did not want to surrender even when it fully realised they would have been completely destroyed by the allies. Stubbornness, pathetic stubbornness. It's done so move on....but Japan never really moved on did they. Obama is no saint don't get me wrong, but please...get the facts

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Obama did not order bombing.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Since the Western powers had at that stage invaded most of the globe (Britain alone 90% of countries), and killed 10s of millions of Asians while making jokes (even today), the supposition that an agrarian Japan would be likely to come under the Western boot was not rocket science.

"At that stage", Japan had already annexed Korea, invaded China and launched a surprise attack on Russia, all before 1905.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Japan invades Asia. Japan gets embargoes put on them. So Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. And it's Americas fault.

Yeah, right. Seems legit.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

If you don't want your president to apologize, don't demand Japan to apologize any more.

Japan needs to apologize.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

"Japan’s purpose in going to war was largely dictated by security."

Same with the Nazis. They believed Germany -- reeling from hyper inflation, industrial collapse and crushing foreign debts-- was under threat from all sides, including by an international Jewish conspiracy.

The Japanese held the same paranoid, ultra-nationalist and supremacist views. That's why they rounded up and mass murdered the ethnic Chinese populations in the various SE Asian countries. In Singapore, they dragged them on to the beach and beheaded them ISIS-style. All in the name of "security."

"And yet Japan has been apologizing all these years."

Yeah, it just ain't fair.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

If Obama goes there without meeting the victims, it may hurt their feelings. Maybe it is better he does not go.

Or maybe it's better he goes and they don't let their feelings get hurt.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

canadean

They want an apology? Go straight to the Govt of Japan and demand an apology for being the cause of all this. .

So right. The Japanese government and military in the Showa war years deceived and used the Japanese people disgracefully. I think both the current Japanese government and the U.S. government have an interest in using the A-bomb issues to deflect true criticism, doubts, and demands for truth from their people. That the Bomb remains the focal point of the War in our memories, despite many other events in Japan and Asia that deserve consideration, has always been most suspicious to me. Beware when officials simplify the story they tell their people, or focus overmuch on one point. Kamei and other victims are being used as pawns for political posturing I think. Disgraceful.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Oh wonderful. Revisionism is a game everyone can play. The right claims this, the left claims that. Trump claims this and that.

Hey everybody, how about we pay attention to the post war narrative? If everybody just sticks to that, maybe Asia can have ANOTHER 70 years of relative peace. Rewriting history is the surest way to start another war to settle old scores.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Britain the US and Holland put a trade and oil embargo on Japan meaning that they would have to leave their colonies and/or return to an agrarian economy.

Simply put, after Japan defeated the Russian navy, they could finally “look the white man in the eye”and from then on, everything went south. Japan’s expansionist policies in Korea and China, under the guise of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, which wasn’t that prosperous for China, since the Japanese went on murder spree in China, was the reason for the oil embargo.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Katsu: "Ishihara was never a representative of Japan,"

What, do you guys think that you have to be wearing a sash that says, "Ms. Japan" the o represent your country? You are WRONG! When you make comments regarding international matters on behalf of your nation, personal and especially in a city, like it or not you represent your nation, and Kamei and Ishihara here represent the beliefs of right-wingers, and claim to represent the interests of the Hiroshima victims: "A group representing Japanese survivors...." Notice the third word. Notice the fourth. Like it or not, in positing this for others to discussion in relation to what Obama should or should not do, they are representatives of Japan.

"and his importance in this story is unclear."

Not if you watch the video of the meeting.

"No doubt the conspiracy theorists would love to invent the notion that because his photograph is in the story he must be running the whole show, but until evidence is presented that remains a conspiracy theory"

Until you take the time to know what he said.

"Kamei is merely a lawmaker"

Who is head of a group that represents the victims on what international figures (in this case Obama) and therefore the japan side.

You say I'm lying, which is wrong. You, on the other hand, are being disingenuous with the semantics. Again, why the need for Obama to address the murderer in Okinawa if he does not represent he US (and military)? Why is Onaga upset at the US military presence in general over one person's actions, and does he have the right to be? I say the man does not represent Americans or the military, but the fact is, in a way, he does represent is country plain and simple. Same with Kamei and Ishihara.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

It was an option, but not one my nation (Britain) chose to take.

Can you actually hold a conversation about WW2 without pulling the "they did it, too, but worse" card? Glad you can finally admit that Japan chose to invade Asia- not forced to.

Now,

Partly thanks to that bravery, <https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=MwNh4LXkRjQ> other Asian countries rose up and chucked the Westerners out too.

Are you seriously posting a link to some WW2 movie with 300 audio dubbed in to show how brave the IJA were?? Hahaha That is a new low. Even for you.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Anyone hoping to make the case that West has a mountain of hideous war crimes, genocides etc on its hands, is up against the obvious brick wall, that generally speaking, most people like to feel justified and 'right', in their actions. Being obliged to rethink themselves into new positions as monstrous as those categorised as 'evil' etc, will not meet with easy success. The need to 'belong' is primal and a survival instinct . Facing judgement of the kind that makes apologies for genocide etc. necessary, in hindsight, can be a face to face meeting with seeming annihilation. Be sorry. Apologise. No matter how terrible the crime.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Anyway, by the mid-20 century, the era of large land-grabs was over....except by the Japanese.

I would say early 20th century. South Africa was the last large acquisition by the UK, the Philippines and Cuba by the US. That was the point Japan failed to grasp. (One might argue this hasn't changed) That international trends were changing, and empire building was no longer fashionable, at least in the west. It is likely that if Japan hadn't modernised when it did, it might have been bullied like China was. I do agree though that the western powers didn't intend to colonise Japan

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@tina you hatred of everything non Japanese is becoming legendary on JT, I do admire your persistence but really if you directed all that energy on something positive youd be surprised at what you may achieve. In the meantime everybody else will just continue use you as an electronic punching bag

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Gelasio ValdezMAY. 21, 2016 - 01:52PM JST **** Dear country of Japan! I'm going to share my perspective on the the upcoming visit to Japan from the American President. War crimes are never forgotten. Did Germany apologize for the ovens used to kill the Jewish people? Did Japan apologize for attacking and killing the innocent people in Pearl Harbor? We know that many soldiers are still sunk with the ships! The PAINS and discrimination are on both countries.If one claims innocent throw the first Stone! The price of Peace was painfully. So, if you ask a Soldier the PAINS of War,Pray for International Peace! However,we are living now in the Economic War's once again!???? Cheers Sensei

What is your point?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

When Abe made speeches like at Joint Congress, US often demanded apology be included in his speech.

. . . and rightly so. America didn't start the war. The Nazis, allied w/ Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan started it all. Japan pulled the trigger first, NOT the USA.

Again, I say, No apology to hibakusha. They burnt the bridge already by criticizing Kerry. 50 minutes were plenty of time. Did they expect him to take off shoes and kneel, and bow deeply for several seconds? Nonsense-

2 ( +3 / -1 )

, it may hurt their feelings. Maybe it is better he does not go.

What about the hurt feelings of the sex slaves and slave labourers. I don't see their feelings being addressed. The onus is on Japan, the initiator of the Pacific War - to apologise first

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I will probably get thumbs down but I think that A-Bomb survivors asking for apology is different from Japan as a country asking for apology from the U.S (Obama). Japan's stance is that it does not ask for apology but to promote for peace together.

If I were to put myself in the A-Bomb survivors' shoes, I would actually understand why they want an apology from Obama, even though that does not bring piece but they want to be understood. The survivors were children at that time, they had not done anything wrong and they had not attacked anyone, yet they suffered so much. This is a very personal matter to them.

Again, this is different from Japan as a country asking for apology.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Mr. Noidall (May. 24, 2016 - 09:14AM JST):

I don't understand why you say "the a-bombs are a fabrication." You deny the cold fact despite all this evidence and documentation? Iran's former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once said the Holocaust haddn't happened. Do you agree with him?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

FadamorMAY. 26, 2016 - 04:33AM JST

"Who started the war?"

USA

OK, two can play your little game. The USA "started" the war by demanding that Japan cease its aggressive attempts to takeover the entire Southeast Asian region in order to support the war it was already up to its ears in with China. So I'm going to throw it right back in your face and state that JAPAN started the war against the allies by entering a war they couldn't sustain against China without having to "acquire" much more territory by attacking allied colonies.

It seems I need to give you some lecture on international laws. Back in those days, if two countries are at war, a third nation must choose to be either a neutral party or a combatant party. If a country choose to be neutral, it must stay neutral and is prohibited to support either side of the war parties. A neutral party may not provide a combatant party with weapons, ammunition or other supplies for war efforts, or lose its status as a neutral party and face attack by the combatant party for the breach of neutrality. The US chose to be neutral to the war between China and Japan, but secretly supported China, breaching the neutrality. It also chose to be neutral to WW2 in the first years, but secretly supported UK, breaching the neutrality, calling itself "non-combatant party", which was against the international laws at the time. It is unfair to hide behind neutrality but engage in a war by supporting one side and to call foul when the other side attacks for the breach of neutrality. If the US wanted to support China in the war against Japan, it should have declared war much before Pearl Harbor, than secretly support China under the guise of neutrality.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I'm quite surprised to know that there are many people who say 'Dropping A-bombs were right thing to do.It saved a lot of people' . Can you say that to the survivors face to face?

Suppose there were a man who has taken hundreds of hostages, and he seems like that he'll do something that harm hundreds of other lives. In that case, killing all the hostages and the man would be 'right thing to do'? Is it really 'right'??

All I'm trying to say is that saying it was 'right' massively ignore the feelings and sufferings of the people affected by the bombs.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

IF he apologizes (which would be absurd) he should phrase it as "Regrettable"

1 ( +3 / -2 )

I sympathize with those A-bomb victims. But I would like them to know that a forced apology is no apology. I'd never have thought that a sitting US president would ever visit Hiroshima in my life time. Clearly the world is changing. Although Obama is not going to apologize in words, his visit to Hiroshima can be construed as an unspoken apology from the US.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Tim, in that arena which was WWII, the Japanese were the enemy. To end the war that they started, drop atomic bombs, or send a million Allied troops, mostly Americans, to take on 2.5 million Japanese poised to fight to the death in Kyushu? The Japanese government needed to be sent a clear message: STOP FIGHTING!!!

Tim, not all killing is bad. If someone comes after your family with a knife, do you negotiate with him?

If North Korea launches a nuclear missile towards Japan and takes out Tokyo, should the world stand around and do nothing?

Don't wish a response from you. It's a waste of time to debate someone with the intellect to write something as juvenile as "because killing is always bad."

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The best thing our president can do, is sign an agreement to dispose of an amount of current nuclear bombs, which I >>think many Americans would support in light of the atrocious damage it does to human beings.

Better do it in a hurry then because TRUMP wants Japan to develop nuclear bombs....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Didn't more people die from napalm filled bombs dropped on Tokyo, which burned people alive? That's pretty much been erased in Western history books.

More people sure did die, and this information is common knowledge and covered in Western history books.

This is why Obama should cancel. They're already cornering him and reneging on promises. It's unfortunate,must entirely predictable.

Japan is not the Borg. There is no hive-mind with a single position. The Abe government's position is: no apology. But the government doesn't speak for every private citizen, or even for every Japanese politician.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"Mr. Obama, please apologize."

President Obama: "OK. But I don't really remember the bombings because I was drunk, stressed, walking down the street staring at my smartphone, working on a bribe to get the Tokyo Olympics, denying war crimes, rewriting the history books and did I mention I was drunk ...

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Strangerland d "No it's not, these people are not representatives of Japan. When were they elected? Who chose them to represent Japan? No one."

So, Ishihara was not the elected governor of Tokyo, then? And Kamei is not an elected official. Hmmm... And if they go overseas in an official capacity they are not "representatives of Japan", in your words -- and this is no different. I didn't say they are the ONLY representatives, but since this deals with a visiting dignitary they are indeed acting as representatives in presenting an opinion that many Japanese share. Obviously, and fortunately, not all.

"If you want to remain in the realm of facts and reality, Abe is the elected representative of Japan, and has said that an apology is neither asked for, nor needed."

He's not the ONLY representative of Japan, or have you never heard of something called am ambassador? The millions of mascots? I never said Ishihara and Kamei are THE OFFICIAL representatives, but even YOU, just being here, are a representative of your nation. Just look at the big deal being made over the US ex-marine in Okinawa., or any military personnel there who do something bad (or good). It is a fact that they are representing their nation, and so must always be conscious of their actions and words.

"I'm sorry that some of you guys are having troubles with me pointing out the facts, but that doesn't change the facts".

Not us having trouble, bud. You have consistantly backtracked when wrong, and refuse to admit it, hence this retort. They are representatives of Japan; that's fact. The world sees them do this, and that is why reasonable people like Masae Shimoda ask that people don't listen to said people and that said people do not represent ALL Japanese.

No one except the wingers has said what these clowns said ,earns Obama must apologize despite Abe's vow he need not, but it doesn't change the fact that their opinion, which represents many who feel the same, could throw a wrench in the works.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I have read some international experts affirming, that an embargo against a nation was considered a declared act of war, by the League of Nations, at the time of WW2.So,Japan,going naively by the book, responded in self-defense targeting only, at first, the military installation of Pearl Harbor. Nevertheless, all wars are sadly events, usually results of failed diplomacy, Fortunately, the U.S and Japan became the best of allies, and both sides took great lessons from such a tragic event in history.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Britain the US and Holland put a trade and oil embargo on Japan meaning that they would have to leave their colonies and/or return to an agrarian economy.

I suppose not going on a genocidal rampage throughout Asia wasn't an option? Do nations not have the right to decide who they trade with and do they not choose their terms of trade? They most certainly do. The US made its decision as did Japan. Japan was not forced to rape and pillage, that is merely what Imperial Japan decided.

US clearly stated "Obama won't apology". Japan did not ask for an apology but if US govt said so clearly "no apology" plan, it hurts Japanese people's feelings.

You do not respresent the feelings of all Japanese. Many people in China are understandably upset when the right wing oyajis decide to take a joyride up to Kudanshita. This hurts your feelings? Rub some dirt in it.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

smithinjapanMAY. 20, 2016 - 08:43PM JST What, do you guys think that you have to be wearing a sash that says, "Ms. Japan" the o represent your country?

No, you simply have to be elected to a position where you are officially charged by the government of your country of representing your country to another. Ishihara was a governor of Tokyo, but I've yet to hear of him being appointed or elected to any position that actually represents the country as a whole.

When you make comments regarding international matters on behalf of your nation

Which has not happened yet.

"A group representing Japanese survivors...." Notice the third word. Notice the fourth.

I noticed them. None of those words are "Japan". Representing a tiny special interest group is not the same as representing the country as a whole.

Who is head of a group that represents the victims on what international figures (in this case Obama) and therefore the japan side.

Yes, you keep making this fallacy. As long as you conflate "the Japan side" with everyone in the Japanese government you dislike, you will never portray the situation honestly.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If Obama apologizes for the atomic bombing it will only serve to re-inforce him and his presidency as weak and ineffectual. The Democratic party already facing critical internal problems i.e., Sanders. would bare the brunt of public hostility...it is a no winner

1 ( +2 / -1 )

but if US govt said so clearly "no apology" plan, it hurts Japanese people's feelings. well then Japan can begin to understand how Chinese Koreans feel when the PM of Japan speeches an official apology, then shortly after half his cabinet and his wife visit Yasukuni shrine

1 ( +3 / -2 )

And yet Japan has been apologizing all these years.

And denying, apologising, denying. Would you believe someone who said they were sorry one day, then next day they weren't. The problem is Japan cannot stick with any apology they make. There is always someone like Ishihara et al who is going to deny it. Apologies mean zilch while this happens. America owes no apology

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Naw!! Maybe its better that the hibakusha protest against the emperor and Tojo's gov for their sumurai, kamikaze, gung-ho, Banzai, never give up, insane, fight-till-death mentality which led to 2-Mushroom Clouds.

I agree with this half of your post.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

utorsa,

Thank you for referring to the two websites, especially,

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

The documentaries speak the truth by themselves and make the exchange of views as on this thread pale and futile.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I wonder how many of commenters here, including myself, are truely entitled to say "should be apologized" "should not be apologized"? A-Bombs and carpet-bombings not only destroyed cities but killed hundreds of thousands of non-combatants and so many of commenters here are trying to justify it by "it should have saved more people" "Japan did far worse atrocities" bs. I personally don't believe "Obama needs to apologize" but I cannot say on victims' behalf even though I know some people who were victimized by it. Let's face it, thousands of powerless and innocent people were wiped out with merciless invention and that was tragic. We should respect the dead and those who suffered by its consequences then move on.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'm guessing the Japanese don't have a saying akin to " don't throw stones in glass houses".

"Hito wo norowaba ana futatsu (人を呪わば穴二つ) If you curse others you did two holes (their grave and your own).

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The United States of America does not deny that they dropped Atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nippon Kaigi, an organization in Japan with many prominent members including Prime Minister Abe and over 200 other diet members, Shinto priests etc deny Nanking and deny comfort women amongst other things. President Obama cannot be held responsible for previous US governments' mistakes but Prime Minister Abe can be held responsible for a contemporary denial of what took place.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Obama is just doing this for his legacy.

It's funny how people think this is a bad thing.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

A-bombs saved a lot of Japanese lives. An ground assault by allied forces into Japan proper would have resulted in much greater death toll. The US do not owe an apology for the A-bombings. Obama should cancel his visit to Hiroshima.

I think you'll find the Russians did that job by entering the war. If dubious I refer you to this excellent article http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/05/30/the-bomb-didnt-beat-japan-stalin-did/

In any case it would belie the purpose of this visit were Obama to meet with the survivors.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

This is about the only time I have ever agreed with Obama with his visit to Hiroshima. But I do say no to apologizing since has horrible has that event was it did save more lives then if allies had invaded home land Japan. We also did not start the war with Japan even with all the political garbage going on, war was not the solution.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

timtak

There isn't even a word for hansei in English

Introspection.. rumination.. contemplation...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Something like this would have been better to do secretly out of the media's eye and then announced.

What a mess this act is becoming.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sensato: thanks for those. Obviously Japan needs to apologize to the world for having Ishihara and Kamei to begin with -- and people like tina actually share the same attitudes! Amazing. ISHIKAWA has also said in the past that before he dies he wants war with China.

Moderator: You're going to have to stop attacking tinawatanabe or you will be getting some lengthy suspensions from the discussion board. In fact, we recommend that you no longer reply to any posts by that reader, nor refer to him/her.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I bet Obama finesses his way through this coming out looking good. He'll express regret at the loss of life and suffering and vow to work for a world without nuclear weapons.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

tina - the japanese govt/imperial army caused untold destruction, often behaving in an uneccessarily brutal and disgusting manner. Only those who are seriously uniformed or in denial are sorry japan lost the war. Everyone knew that in spite of "official" statements regarding no apology expected, there would be the usual japanese ambiguities. Your hurt feelings are your business and frankly, no one cares.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Hi tinawatanabe, It is the sudden death eliminate of the immense and unimaginable power atomic bomb can dispense, uranium-235 and plutonium-239 has devastating effects , air-burst around half a mile above the ground, the heat generated in the upper atmosphere incinerated a civilian population close to 250,000 when acute radiation exposure is taken into account. Political apologies are hollow, even shallow many years after the event. I am afraid sorry will always be the hardest word.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Id have to agree with forza, while some may call it racist. Its mixing eastern and western ways and the Japanese took a hard fall on their own. Heavy things to process but thats what it comes down too. I dont think Ish really hates China; he seems them as a scapegoat because he really hates the US. Its easier to pick on somebody you once defeated and have a history with than challenge the person who was the victor. I actually like some of Ishis work but he is way off when it comes to geopolitics. Ish makes good reads and lectures for Tina types, though.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

However you feel about this issue, Americans know that it happened and that 100,000 were killed (unlike Japanese who are becoming ignorant of many things about WII).

0 ( +4 / -3 )

But Shizuka Kamei, a national lawmaker from Hiroshima whose sister died in the blast, said Obama is not welcome without an apology.

Kamei the toad lacking any authority expresses a personal opinion. Just ignore him.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It's funny how whats to be a historic visit is going to have twist and turns along with controversy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It is ironic and a hard thought to process, the logic of visiting Hiroshima. Its to acknowledge....what? The U.S. was wrong? If he visited, for example, Fukushima, one could argue the use of nuclear power, but the weapon was used by the U.S. Has he ever been to Okinawa and seen the problems there? Whats the purpose of his visit?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why? As I was in HS, we had a phase, "Who ever started the fight is the one at fault. If he get killed during the fight, there is no one to blame but himself."

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were monstrous crimes, and the people of those cities are owed an apology for them.

Hiroshima is just one of the many stains on the American historical legacy that successive governments have largely avoided dealing with.

No president has ever issued a formal apology for slavery, possibly the worst crime in the history of the country and the foundation upon which it rose to power. There is just one crumbling federally funded memorial to slavery in the entire United States. Similarly, a congressional apology to Native Americans for the genocidal campaign against them was buried deep within a 2009 defense appropriations bill.

And, far from apologizing for America’s undermining of democracy and its backing of death squads and dictatorships throughout the 20th century, the Obama administration held a celebratory event for war criminal Henry Kissinger just this past Monday.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

half his cabinet and his wife visit Yasukuni shrine, Completely legal. You should respect the peace treaties. who said it was illegal!, when people visit this shrine they also pray for the class A war criminals enshrined there, they were enshrined purely as a political idelogy of the head priest and nothing to do with the religion preying for those responsible for killing millions of asian, korean, chinese singaporean etc etc, no its not illegal but its just outright insulting to the countries that suffered under the IJA

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I am an American. I visited Hiroshima 3 years ago. While I felt extreme sadness and sympathy for those who were killed and maimed in 1945, I did not feel apologetic.

This year, I will likely be visiting Nagasaki. I don't think I would feel the need to be apologetic. If Truman is still alive today, I don't think he should either.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

"the supposition that an agrarian Japan would be likely to come under the Western boot was not rocket science."

The Western powers never made any serious attempts to colonize Japan. It had no natural resources. They weren't interested. Anyway, by the mid-20 century, the era of large land-grabs was over....except by the Japanese.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

As expected, some posters here bring up Pearl Harbor, Nanjing massacre, comfort women, and other atrocities the Imperial Japanese Army committed during the war. In their mind, then, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were retaliation against Japan.

They may be right but, if so, the official explanation by the U.S. government that the atomic bombings were necessary to end the war quickly and prevent millions of additional deaths from occurring of both U.S. soldiers and Japanese civilians turns out to be a hindsight justification.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Obama did not order bombing.

Neither Obama signed the Tripartite Pact and the jointly Japanese /Germany/Italy declaration of war :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripartite_Pact

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Just for your information:

The picture above is misleading. I first thought the men in the picture represented A-bomb survivors. But they are not hibakushas.

Shizuka Kamei, a former lawmaker, is a native of Hiroshima Prefecture all right but he was not born in Hiroshima City but in Shobara City in the northeastern part of the prefecture. The other unnamed man in the picture must be Shintaro Ishihara, a retired right-wing novelist-turned-politician and a close associate of Kamei's.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The war Douglas McArthur Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers who convened the Tokyo Trial in which Japan was condemned for aggression said later that Japan’s purpose in going to war was largely dictated by security. If so, when Japan sent troops to Southeast Asia to get oil and iron, Britain may well have been more concerned about losing Indochina than about supporting China. By the same token Japan was more concerned about securing Manchu (northeast China) than supporting Chandra Bose and his Free India. And yet Japan has been apologizing all these years.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Micheal Rhian DriscollMAY. 21, 2016 - 10:51AM JST For me it's simple. Let Japan & the other Axis nations own their own actions that led to the creation & use of this horrible weapon..... FIRST. Then we can talk.<

Actually, Germany was compensating Russian Jews (I don't know about others. At that time, I was working at a Russian law office in Beverly Hils) for the Holocaust. While the office I worked at did plaintiff personal injury, it also handled compensation from Germany to Russian Jews who survived the Holocaust.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I do not expect President Obama to apologize for what the USA did prior to his being born, in a war caused by the USA having been attacked without warning. All of the national leaders from that time period have passed on, so we cannot ask them what they think about the events of the war from the viewpoint of today.

I think he is more likely to express regret at the suffering and death caused by war, and to hope that nuclear bombs are never used again.

As for the impact of the entry of the USSR into the war, remember that the Soviets had known for a long time about America's atom bomb program, even before Truman found out about it, and that their invading of Japanese held territory may have been influenced by a desire to grab as much land as possible. I have read that they later also asked for domination over the island of Hokkaido and part of Honshu, as the spoils of war, but that the Western allies stood firm against that idea, since no ground fighting on the Japanese homeland had been necessary. From this point of view, using the A-bombs prevented Japan from being partitioned, unlike Korea.

I would also point out that the A-bombs were dropped only after the Japanese government refused the allied ultimatum to surrender, The Potsdam Declaration, even though it was clear that the war was lost. The civilian population was living on a starvation diet, and the Japanese military no longer had the means to conduct the war with anything other than the most basic of weapons. At that point in the war, August 1945, refusing to surrender was to subject the Japanese people to pointless starvation and annihilation. Does anyone deny that Japan and the Japanese are today better off for having surrendered, rather than fighting for every foot of ground? What would Japan look like today, if Hokkaido and parts of Honshu resembled North Korea?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Probably, one has to distinguish problems on a state level from those on a personal level. On a personal level, it's quite natural for victims of atomic bombings to demand an apology from the U.S. side just like it's natural for victims in relevant nations of atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army during the war.

One has also to distinguish between ordinary bombs and weapons of mass destruction like atomic bombs when he discusses the issue. Even ordinary bombs must be condemned if they are used just to kill people indiscriminately.

But it's a quite different story if politicians like Shizuka Kamei and Shintaro Ishihara come forward and say the U.S. must apologize to Japan for what it did to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

timtak: "I think that one would need a few libraries to document the crimes committed by my nation (Britain) alone."

This is not about Britain, timtak, and shame on you for constantly towing the ultra right-wing line (who would never recognise you as Japanese, by the way, despite your efforts to fit in) and deflect. In a previous comment you tried to rationalise the colonisation of Asia as a 'defence' against Western powers, and that the Pearl Harbor attack was indeed not Japan's fault, but you fail to mention at all the MILLIONS Japan murdered across Asia with their colonisation (and no, it was not 'freeing Asia'), suppression, up to the end of the war. Do you honestly deny the atrocities committed by Japan, such as Nanjing and sexual slavery? Why should Obama apologise for the US government putting an end to it when people such as yourself and others in Japan deny that Japan ever did anything wrong, let alone bother to go to those places and apologise for what their ancestors and government did?

It would be a shame if Obama did not visit, as some posters have suggested because they cannot accept that he should not apologise as they demand, but I think if they are going to press the issue and make themselves out to be representatives of the nation and ultimately embarrass Japan on this and history even more than they already are, perhaps he should bring it up with Abe, specifically mentioning the lunatics in the picture above and their comments to the media. It would be funny to see Abe's response, given that he largely sides with their views on history in particular.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

They may be right but, if so, the official explanation by the U.S. government that the atomic bombings were necessary to end the war quickly and prevent millions of additional deaths from occurring of both U.S. soldiers and Japanese civilians turns out to be a hindsight justification.

It's called the sanitized version of history. But we should not demand corrections or apologies from current leaders for the mistakes of those before them, and that goes for all parties.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As a general matter of principle I have always thought it absurd when someone apologises for something they didn't do. So, to be consistent, I don't think any government today should be expected to apologise for anything a previous government did.

Having said that, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were a cause for huge sadness for the civilians living there.

Perhaps when Obama visits they could play the song Enola Gay by OMD to be a little bit subversive ... That would make me smile.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Bill Adams,

I have always thought it absurd when someone apologies for something they didn't

Sounds reasonable, but is it really? Governments may change but the nation may remain the same. Can a person be exonerated from a homicide he committed in the past because he has changed?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A-Bomb victims should get an apology when comfort women get one. How about all those American pow's who had biological warfare experiments performed on them while still alive? Unnecessary surgical experiments without anesthesia? How many Chinese and Koreans experienced the same fate? Still no apologies for that. JP ministers are still visiting the shrine built in honor of the people who committed those atrocities.

There is no history-sanitizing about it; Japan started a war of aggression in east Asia - not only against the US, in case you are historically challenged. They then conducted a sneak attack on the US and over the course of the next 4 years were repaid for their treachery.

One only needs to look at the casualty rates the Japanese sustained to understand why the Americans dropped the bombs; who in their right minds would take on the homeland of a nation where taking 15,000 KIA is acceptable for 150 enemy casualties?

Anti A-bomb / apologists et. all have a serious lack of understanding of history and logic - research how the pacific war was actually fought and you would need to be insane to feel there was any better solution than dropping the bomb. The only thing that might have been done differently was to drop the first bomb in Tokyo Bay and hope that it would shock Japan into surrender. Leaders decided that was unlikely to work and so history unfolded as it did.

Down vote this all you like, you only prove your ignorance and laziness by failing to learn about the events that led up to and occurred during WW2.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It may be true that many books in Japan have been written about Japan's victims. But where are they? How many Japanese people are even aware of "these books?" If they were, Japan would be much more remorseful. The fact is that by and large people are swallowing the drivel of the revisionists. The US attacked us first, we did nothing wrong, we are victims. China and South Korea are spreading vile propaganda. How dare they? Comfort women? I do know sex slaves existed. Statements of apology? I can come up with an equally long list of denials. This is why Germany has largely been forgiven while Japan hasn't. (No denials) I will reiterate once again: in view of Japan's apologise/deny attitude, America owes no apology for the bombs. That does not feel their use was justified however.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

On one condition: Apologize for allying with freaking HITLER. No, seriously: what was the plan? You know he would go after you after he was done with the Jews.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

If so, when Japan sent troops to Southeast Asia to get oil and iron, Britain may well have been more concerned about losing Indochina than about supporting China.

The British Fourteenth Army, formed after the loss of Burma in 1942, existed for one purpose only: to kill Japanese. Had the atomic bombs not been dropped, the army was going to drive the Japanese out of Malaysia. By the SE Asia campaign generals like Stilwell and Slim, MacArthur was regarded as a pussy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Hito wo norowaba ana futatsu (人を呪わば穴二つ) If you curse others you did two holes (their grave and your own).

Nice, thanks timtak. I love learning new ことわざ.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@utorsa

You failed to mention Operation Downfall and the estimated casualties that would of resulted, all due to a fanatical population who would not accept terms. I notice you cherry pick quotes from people like Nimitz, who was selected to lead the Navy s mission during Operation Downfall. I find it hard to believe that Nimitz, Curtis, Mac and others had any regrets using the A bomb on Japan, they just wanted to the war to be over. If Japan had already sued for peace, as you post, then why the planned invasion of Kyushu by the Allies?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I repeat...learn your history Japan!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Stand up for your fellow country men who died and were ravaged before you start the next round of your apology tour.

When has Obama ever apologized, and when has he said he's going to apologize?

Facts. The bane of the republican existence.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It's funny how whats to be a historic visit is going to have twist and turns along with controversy.

That's the sad thing, but we have to face reality that the president MIGHT apologize for the bombing that started with Japanese aggression first and foremost. If this happens, shouldn't JAPAN give an apology officially in front of cameras for their actions during the war. This is just so absurd.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

you all know what's funny? that Japan said that they were sorry many, many times for all the horror that the war caused, but the US never apologized for not accepting surrender, forcing JP to kept fighting for more than 2 years. After that they have thrown 2 bombs, and a 3rd was on the way when Japan signed the "unconditional surrender" which as what US wanted and now after so much time the US could say "we could have done better" and everyone would move forward, but like in those 2 years they keep playing same game.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There is no need to apologize for anything nor should Japan have to apologize to Korea or China for the actions of people that were made 70 plus years ago by people that are not even alive anymore. We can respect and sympathize with the survivors and learn from the mistakes of the past so they are not repeated. But an apology is not warranted nor should it be given. If Obama does he is a fool.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I'm guessing the Japanese don't have a saying akin to " don't throw stones in glass houses".

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

But, Tina, the a-bombs are a fabrication just like the ones proffered by China. You've been brainwashed by your education to believe Japanese are victims ( which I don't understand since victim implies being weak and sheep-like) but anyway, it's all a complete fabrication. The bombs never happened.

Mr. Noidal, 1. Japan's education does not teach Japan as victims. Please provide evidence if any. 2. There is no evidence of what China claims. It is difficult to prove something Japan did not do but there is circumstancial evidence or counter evidence to what china claims 3. A-bomb is a fact with lots of evidence. It is ridiculous to compare with some fabrication.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"Who started the war?"

USA

OK, two can play your little game. The USA "started" the war by demanding that Japan cease its aggressive attempts to takeover the entire Southeast Asian region in order to support the war it was already up to its ears in with China. So I'm going to throw it right back in your face and state that JAPAN started the war against the allies by entering a war they couldn't sustain against China without having to "acquire" much more territory by attacking allied colonies.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@tina, Please read from a variety of sources yourself. You really don't get it. Fortunatley billions of people in the world do and these people will remember. Know your own history or make the same mistakes again.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

fortunately

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I read on these very pages that there was no apology expected.

Abe has clearly stated that. Have you heard anything different? Remember, he's the official representative of Japan, not this small non-elected group.

I think Obama will do it out of guilt for how many he's bombed and droned in the ME

Why would you think that when the US has already said Obama will not be revisiting the decision to drop the bomb?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

And Strangerland, surely you knew while abe etc said no apology expected, THAT others would quickly DEMAND one.........

So what? They don't speak for Japan, Abe does. If small groups are representative of the country as a whole, you'd have to take the opinions of the KKK as being representative of the stance of America - and I think we'd all agree that's a ridiculous idea.

People have free speech in Japan. They are allowed to say what they want. That doesn't make their statements official statements of the country, or even representative of the feelings of the country as a whole.

Japan has not asked for an apology, nor is Japan expecting one.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Oooobaaaama! You got some 'splaning to dooo! Abeeee! your first!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Tina I think your feelings will be ok, but Id like to ask you for a link to the books your reference

I dont know how well your English is but a friend lend me this book A short history of Japanese war crimes" A very good read I recommend for you, but its somewhat biased I guess

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I'm really clear about this, Barack Obama should not apologize for the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, just as no modern Japanese Prime Minister needs to constantly apologize for what happened in WW2 either. I have absolutely no doubt it was a war crime, but it was a war crime committed in a certain context, political and social atmosphere and environment that cannot be appropriately replicated and judged now. And I can't imagine what these people have been through in their lives, but I am actually surprised that they have called for this.

I absolutely support Obama's visit, but no apologies.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If Obama goes there without meeting the victims, it may hurt their feelings. Maybe it is better he does not go.

Naw!! Maybe its better that the hibakusha protest against the emperor and Tojo's gov for their sumurai, kamikaze, gung-ho, Banzai, never give up, insane, fight-till-death mentality which led to 2-Mushroom Clouds.

Plus the bombings spared lots of young precious American G.I. lives. Go USA, GO--- !!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

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:

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

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

https://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 did not need to do it, and we knew we did not need to do it, and we knew that we knew we did not 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 US 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, Hosokawa 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.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

To be fair to Tina and other revisionist, the disarmament conference forced a uncooperative Japan to accept the U.S. Britain Japan 5-5-3 tonnage limit on armament. The US had intercepted Japanese code and knew the Japanese absolute minimum requirement conveyed to their delegation, and thats exactly what they got.

The revisionist tend to leave out many important facts, however, like the subversive activity that was going on in the U.S. at the time and Japanese plans for aggressive expansionism. I guess from their perspective anything that doesnt fit the victim narrative should be disqualified.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Disgusting. japan endlessly sidesteps the appalling misery it caused. In endless denial. And THEY want an apology?!

No, they don't want one. The official stand of Japan is that no apology is expected nor needed.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Obama is just doing this for his legacy. He should be down in Okinawa discussing how to solve that problem. Ishihara and the other revisionist dont need an apology or visit.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Smith - I don't think it'll be a HUGE embarrassment for the nation if most Japanese (young, middle-aged, whatever) actually agree with these elderly people.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Didn't more people die from napalm filled bombs dropped on Tokyo, which burned people alive? That's pretty much been erased in Western history books. But then again, the victor usually rewrites the history to their vantage.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

What the hell is Obama going there if he is not to apologize? With the bomb in their hands there was a million other possible way to end the war without killing so many people and launching 2 atomic bombs on civilians. Targeting civilians always a crime. So if the US comitted a crime in the past the and never apologized, it has tobe done one day or the other anyway.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

**** Dear country of Japan! I'm going to share my perspective on the the upcoming visit to Japan from the American President. War crimes are never forgotten. Did Germany apologize for the ovens used to kill the Jewish people? Did Japan apologize for attacking and killing the innocent people in Pearl Harbor? We know that many soldiers are still sunk with the ships! The PAINS and discrimination are on both countries.If one claims innocent throw the first Stone! The price of Peace was painfully. So, if you ask a Soldier the PAINS of War,Pray for International Peace! However,we are living now in the Economic War's once again!???? Cheers Sensei

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

StewieMAY. 24, 2016 - 11:31AM JST

I'm guessing the Japanese don't have a saying akin to " don't throw stones in glass houses".

Yes, they do. How about Americans? Are their hands as clean as they think?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

I can give links to books in Japanese which criticise Japan.

timtak, If you want to learn the true history, please read the first source such as memoirs, not the leftist books

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Obviously incorrect, since the article is about representatives of Japan demanding an apology.

No it's not, these people are not representatives of Japan. When were they elected? Who chose them to represent Japan? No one. Or do you think the KKK are representatives of America?

If you want to remain in the realm of facts and reality, Abe is the elected representative of Japan, and has said that an apology is neither asked for, nor needed. That is fact. That these people are not representatives of Japan is also fact.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Obama - please stay home. What do you wish to accomplish by visiting Japan ? News Flash: ... "Japan is doing just fine without you" John Kerry didn't screw up anything when he came here. Can the US people hope for the same from you ? Japan does not 'need' and apology ... the Japanese government has said this clearly. And frankly, you of all people should not be the one to apologize.

These guys above - ok - yes they say it because it is politically correct ... but please stay home.

And, if you try and say your visit is to help solidarity with US in response to China's recent aggression ... well sorry, you won't be around when and if anything happens.

Oh and Barack, when you visited in May 2011, there were street protests in Tokyo ... are you coming for an encore ?

Obama - please stay home !

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

I suppose not going on a genocidal rampage throughout Asia wasn't an option?

It was an option, but not one my nation (Britain) chose to take.

Do nations not have the right to decide who they trade with and do they not choose their terms of trade? They most certainly do.

Yes, they do. Britain forced "free trade" upon China in the form of drugs causing millions of people to die, and the USA forced the opening of Japan to trade.

The US made its decision as did Japan. Japan was not forced to rape and pillage, that is merely what Imperial Japan decided.

I agree. Britain and the US were not forced to invade and tax the world, bombing, and wiping people out, that is merely what they decided. The Japanese decided to join in. The Japanese may have been almost as bad. I don't think raping and pillaging is good by anyone, not the Vikings, nor the Romans, the British, nor the Japanese.

But, more to the point, it is high time we gave up on empires -- killing for money -- because we live in an age of weapons that can kill everyone.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

James BurkeMAY. 23, 2016 - 09:24AM JST

A-Bomb victims should get an apology when comfort women get one.

Comfort women has got tens of apologies so far. You seem to conveniently forgot all of them.

How about all those American pow's who had biological warfare experiments performed on them while still alive? Unnecessary surgical experiments without anesthesia?

That kind of charges were denied by US military themselves.

How many Chinese and Koreans experienced the same fate?

Those charges are not established at all.

JP ministers are still visiting the shrine built in honor of the people who committed those atrocities.

You do not know what Yasukuni is for.

There is no history-sanitizing about it; Japan started a war of aggression in east Asia

Ha. You conveniently forget that it was Europeans and Americans who started the war to colonize the entire world well before Japan started to colonize East Asia.

One only needs to look at the casualty rates the Japanese sustained to understand why the Americans dropped the bombs;

Killing of civilians was and is prohibited by Hague Convention on War on Land. Killing of soldiers will not justify killing of civilians, which was the main target of the 2 A-bombs. Just learn the international laws.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Or just weird.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

CH3CHO: Please enlighten everyone here as to the reasons Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Britain the US and Holland put a trade and oil embargo on Japan meaning that they would have to leave their colonies and/or return to an agrarian economy.

Since the Western powers had at that stage invaded most of the globe (Britain alone 90% of countries), and killed 10s of millions of Asians while making jokes (even today), the supposition that an agrarian Japan would be likely to come under the Western boot was not rocket science. The Japanese navy at least knew war was pretty hopeless but it was that or be treated like China and India (millions dead, culture turned upside down) so they attacked. Partly thanks to that bravery, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwNh4LXkRjQ other Asian countries rose up and chucked the Westerners out too. Unfortunately the West still controls too many countries but it could be, and was, a lot worse. Views of Japanese are positive especially in Asia since some Asians are aware of this.https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihonbunka/27061458925

One might argue that the Westerners were about to leave Asia even if Japan had not attacked but....does that seem likely to you? Reading this forum where most people seem to have convinced themselves that the West were the nice guys (how could we do this!!), it seems unlikely to me.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I hope not, nothing to apologize for. But there is a huge difference between using words like "regret and sorry." If Obama says, it's "regretful" that innocent people had to die is different and it shows empathy for the innocent people that had to suffer and which is different from saying, "we are deeply sorry, which implies guilt for doing something wrong. So as long as he doesn't say, sorry. It should be ok, but then again, we are talking about Obama.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

@Strangerland

Japan invades Asia. Japan gets embargoes put on them. So Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. And it's Americas fault. Yeah, right. Seems legit.

All I am really saying is that prior to Strangerland's line of causality is

The West invades the world, including Asia.

If you chop of that bit and then it makes it look like Japan just suddenly went on a rampage out of greed. This is seriously what I thought when I was young.

I am not denying that millions died as a result of Japanese violence / in Japanese controlled lands but I am attempting to point out that this happened in a context that people seem to be forgetting. I am told that "this is not about Britain." As far as I am aware, the prime movers of the Meiji Restoration and militarisation of Japan (Yoshida Shouin and his pupils) did think, correctly or incorrectly, that Japanese militarisation was all about Britain. I am not as right wing as some who'd say that the Japanese war was all about self-defence. I think that to a significant extent the Japanese got into being one of the imperialists. This "well if the Westerners do it we can do it too" "join the imperialists club" attitude is in my humble opinion the most regrettable part that above all, I hope Japan relegates to the trash heap.

Millions of Asians died at Japanese hands and the Japanese have written lots of books about it. Not being Japanese I don't think it is appropriate for me to go on about it. The Japanese can, and do hansei, reflect upon their own actions critically. We (http://www.japantoday.com/member/view/utorsa excepted) seem to do so a lot less.

@James Burke

Down vote this all you like, you only prove your ignorance and laziness by failing to learn about the events that led up to and occurred during WW2.

My sentiments entirely. This next statement sums up Mr. Burke's knowledge of history.

A-Bomb victims should get an apology when comfort women get one.

Please search for "comfort women" in this page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

I completely understand because they were innocent victims and had nothing to do with the decision to attack the US. However, our president cannot apologize for the actions of the people who made that decision to bomb Japan back then. They are asking someone to apologize who did not make the decision.The best thing our president can do, is sign an agreement to dispose of an amount of current nuclear bombs, which I think many Americans would support in light of the atrocious damage it does to human beings.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

smithinjapanMAY. 20, 2016 - 11:40AM JST Obviously incorrect, since the article is about representatives of Japan demanding an apology.

Dishonesty does not become you. This article does not mention any representatives of Japan asking for an apology.

So, Ishihara was not the elected governor of Tokyo, then? And Kamei is not an elected official.

Ishihara was never a representative of Japan, and his importance in this story is unclear. No doubt the conspiracy theorists would love to invent the notion that because his photograph is in the story he must be running the whole show, but until evidence is presented that remains a conspiracy theory. Kamei is merely a lawmaker, not a representative of Japan.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Short History? I think one would need to build a few bookshelves to house all those volumes!

I think that one would need a few libraries to document the crimes committed by my nation (Britain) alone. And yet, the books are only just starting to be written, in a jocular fashion.

Barack Obama should not apologize for the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, just as no modern Japanese Prime Minister needs to constantly apologize for what happened in WW2 either.

I appreciate this sentiment. But it seems to me that empire building, the forced taxation of others, is on-going. Until living by killing ends, apologies are in order.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Barack Hussein Obama, being a consummate apologiser, will probably be sorry for the war ending before 90% of the japanese population was lost in a land invasion. because of their fanatical loyalty to an Emperor. Also so sorry for the Pearl Harbor misfortunate incident so needed for the Pacific adventure.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

mystery to solve - why people in 2016 need to apologize for history happened before 1945?

Apologies made by the leader of a state are apologies for the actions of the state, not personal apologies.

I don't think Japan understands that there is no conversation in the US of an "apology" when it comes to the nuclear.

Why would you say that? The official stance on this matter is that no apology is needed nor expected.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

This is why Obama should cancel. They're already cornering him and reneging on promises.

When did the A-bomb survivors promise not to ask for an apology?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

not seeking for an apology. I agree, Masae Shimoda does correctly reflect the will of Hiroshimaites but at the same time, I think that if an apology were forthcoming, or if Mr. Obama felt sorry, expressed his sorrow and apologized, then I think that this might help further the aspiration for a world without nuclear weapons.

I am not Japanese, but a member of the "allies," and I am sorry.

Collective narcissism might be closer. Please find me a Japanese news site thread or even 2ch thread anything like as self-serving and other critical as those on this site.

Introspection.. rumination.. contemplation.. That lacks the criticism. But then, I don't think that hansei is even "critical introspection." Hansei would need a fair few words to explain it, perhaps a thousand, because I think hansei is visual and as they say.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

I am not saying that the Japanese are all super self-aware but it seems that they are 100 times more self-aware than I was. As I say, I thought that Britain were good guys, and that the Japanese were a raging horde that just attacked the allies out of the blue, without any provocation.

I can give links to books in Japanese which criticise Japan. This one http://tinyurl.com/j534ewm by Professor Yoshida Yutaka of Hitotsubashi University refutes the "self defence war" theory apparently. He puts the number of those massacred at Nanking to be around 100,000-200,000 which is similar to the figure promoted by international research here http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=25032.

I think that the biggest reason why the Japanese are not remorseful is because the allies do not show any remorse at all. With few exceptions. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdJyOBriLTI > Thanks utorsa. It makes me so sad and sorry I can hardly watch. And then that American comes on and says we (allies) shouldn't be sorry.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

while i agree that obama should not apologize, many of you are claiming that japan never apologized for ww2 when in fact, they have apologized numerous times for "the pain and suffering" caused during the war. and they have also apologized numerous times for the treatment of sex slaves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan#1950s

although small factions within the govt have tried to whitewash or refute some accounts of japanese atrocities, the official position of the japanese gov't has not changed much. so please stop it with the "oh, japan should apologize first for blah blah blah."

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Strangerland, you are being disingenuous.

Nope, I'm just speaking the fats.

Abe speaks for japan and what he says officially is how it is?

Yes, that's what being the democratically elected leader of a nation means.

Yeah, like he declines to visit yasukuni but by some strange coincidence his wife goes instead.

And I've criticized that decision in the past. But it has nothing to do with this situation whatsoever.

I'm sorry that some of you guys are having troubles with me pointing out the facts, but that doesn't change the facts.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Obama - please stay home. What do you wish to accomplish by visiting Japan ? News Flash: ... "Japan is doing just fine without you" John Kerry didn't screw up anything when he came here. Can the US people hope for the same from you ? Japan does not 'need' and apology ... the Japanese government has said this clearly. And frankly, you of all people should not be the one to apologize. And, if you try and say your visit is to help solidarity with US in response to China's recent aggression ... well sorry, you won't be around when and if anything happens. Oh and Barack, when you visited in May 2011, there were street protests in Tokyo ... are you coming for an encore ? Obama - please stay home !

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Of course the president of US, Obama should apology and bowing sincerely deep enough to the victims of the only nuclear war ever happened in human history, he is a democrat and he is a sitting state leader! Otherwise his visiting is a political gesture instead of winning hearts and souls of the japanese people. By the way, the LDP is a puppet government , she doesn't represent any interest of Japanese people. She speaks for her own political interest by quieting the japanese public. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear wars were a racist one, it demonstrated the supreme status of America over Asia. Keep that struggles after Obama leave!

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

If Obama goes there without meeting the victims, it may hurt their feelings. Maybe it is better he does not go.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Christopher GlenMAY. 20, 2016 - 01:21PM JST

Wrong. Try again.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

bass4funk, Japan has apologized so many times. If I remember correctly, Obama is the first US administration that demanded Japan so many apologies. Obama is the first that criticized PM's shrine visit too.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

.

I do agree though that the western powers didn't intend to colonise Japan

US did, still does.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

But an apology is not warranted nor should it be given. If Obama does he is a fool

Why? During Obama administration, Congress and several states resoluted demanding Japan apologize. When Abe made speeches like at Joint Congress, US often demanded apology be included in his speech. Considering those attitude toward Japan, it would be fair from fairness point of view that Obama apologize.

If you don't want your president to apologize, don't demand Japan to apologize any more.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

First they got Obama to agree to the visit amid widespread claims that nobody was seeking an apology

Where was that claimed? Abe said no apology is expected or needed. How does that equate to nobody seeking an apology? How would Abe be able to enforce that - is he supposed to restrict freedom of speech of the Japanese? All the leader can do is state the official stance, and no one has shown that the official stance has changed to one expecting an apology.

There is definitely some bait and switch going on here.

How so? How does this group's comments trump the official stance of the government which has not changed?

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

In a continuation of the Romans and Mongols before them, the Western powers invaded most of the globe, taxed and drugged many 10s of millions to death. Japan fought back and joined in doing really bad things. The Japanese caused far less death than the Western powers, and helped to dismantle the Western empire to an extent、but due to strident self-justification and a lack of repentance most Westerners think, "the Japanese were the bad guys".

Looking back at all the suffering with regret and sorrow we should realise that we were all bad, and look forward to a world where no one attempts to live by sword --- make their living by killing --- because killing is always bad. We need to stop killing, especially now that we have nuclear weapons. We need especially to stop saying "they started it," because if apply that logic to nuclear war, we and all our children will be dead.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

takeda.shingen

Many people in China are understandably upset when the right wing oyajis decide to take a joyride up to Kudanshita. This hurts your feelings? Rub some dirt in it.

because they are brainwashed by fabricated stories by their govt. If it wasn't fabricated, why didn't they say anything about the visit before? And why does Taiwan, which Japan fought against, have favorable attitude to Japan? There is no evidence for what China claims.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

"Who started the war?" is a good and complex and poorly answered question (hint: the conflict did not start with Pearl Harbour) but whatever the answer, it should be incidental to the decision whether or not to incinerate civilians.

"They started it" is never a good reason to bomb civilians. This is even more true when "who started it" is so open to misinterpretation and subterfuge.

-12 ( +5 / -17 )

Uwe PaschenMAY. 20, 2016 - 09:04AM JST

Who started the war with the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Apart from the apology issues, I feel Americans scarcely know WHY Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Probably, they do not teach it in school. Lack of that learning will bring repeated tragedies to the US in future.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

US clearly stated "Obama won't apology". Japan did not ask for an apology but if US govt said so clearly "no apology" plan, it hurts Japanese people's feelings.

-13 ( +2 / -16 )

I think Obama will do it out of guilt for how many he's bombed and droned in the ME, or just to give his legacy another boost. His coup de grâce of speeches for his library.

-22 ( +5 / -27 )

"Who started the war?"

USA

-27 ( +3 / -30 )

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