politics

Kishida, U.S. ambassador visit Hiroshima

39 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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39 Comments

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""The tragedy should never be repeated," Kishida said.""

We all agree 110% but the new world order is based on having or not having Nuc's. this is a fact we can't ignore nor deny and until the world decide enough is enough then the threat of this tragedy being repeat will continue to shadow us.

27 ( +27 / -0 )

It's a day for respect and remembrance, so I'll leave the politics out of it. Good to see enemies become friends.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Alan HarrisonToday  07:41 am JST

In my opinion, Hiroshima should not become a symbolic shrine in any form.

It already is. Representatives from 93 nations have attended the A-Bomb ceremonies. Including the President of the United States. Hiroshima represents the first use of a nuclear weapon in war and the entire world's hope that it will never be repeated again. Well maybe you and Putin are exceptions to that.

11 ( +22 / -11 )

the US thought less of Japanese during the war

study about what happened to Japanese living in USA during WW11, and their possessions, and firebombing of Tokyo which burnt to death up to 500,000 women and children.

whoever wins the war, write the history.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Russia has also increased naval activity around Japan, which Japanese officials say is meant to project Moscow's military strength.

Does Warmonger Putin want even more territory, this time to his east, I wonder what his justification would be this time. I expect his propaganda units, including his social media keyboard warriors to get more active, concocting even more myths, false historical tales and imaginary creatures. Those who favor authoritarian regimes led by a single individual who's able to stay in power for great lengths of time need look at what happens when an individual as sick as Putin seems to be is elected to stay in charge Leadership needs to change in all nations, especially those with huge nuclear arsenals, to try to ensure no more narcissistically impaired megalomaniacs like Putin can have absolute power.

9 ( +21 / -12 )

Good to see the suffering of war between the US and Japan is not forgotten.

We can only hope that someday Japan will establish a similar relationship of remembrance with Korea and China.

Maybe when South Korea and China stop worsening relations with Japan with their anti-Japan propaganda.

7 ( +18 / -11 )

Do Japanese learn from History ,the US thought less of Japanese during the war, that they were willing to drop many bomb on Japan as it took to bring Japan to it knees, good that Japan leaders came too their senses, American can be spiteful, in their worse, and will not spare no expense to extract revenge on others whether they deserve it or not, if anybody deserved too be beastmode, it should of been the German

6 ( +13 / -7 )

Never again should this tragedy happen.

The only nation stating they may just use nuclear weapons on another nation - right now - is fascist Russia. Sickening.

6 ( +14 / -8 )

I know this is a bad way to say this, but the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were like fire crackers compared to modern atom bombs. Another nuclear war will mean the end of civilization if not life itself on earth. Those who do not die from the atom bombs will die in the nuclear winter that follows.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

My grandfather-in-law was in his classroom that morning. An unnecessary evil, that’s what it was.

... some ignorants think they know all about pain and suffering because of this illusion of being on the right side of history. But they don’t know. But of course they don’t. That’s why they’re called ignorants.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

TeslaInvestorToday  09:38 am JST

Japan is NOT a victim. They started the war and refused to surrender despite every other Axis power surrendering. Why are people blaming the US for using nukes?

Japan did offer to surrender in April of 1945 through the Swiss. Truman refused the surrender at Potsdam and wrote that they should wait and see when the US drops the nuclear bombs that he received word while there that the first test was successful.

Those terms offered by the Japanese then were the same terms of the final surrender.

4 ( +12 / -8 )

Alan HarrisonToday  08:03 am JST

@OssanAmerica

Indeed, it has become a place of many ceremonies. This I feel is the problem. It has become political. Let the victims rest. By the way, I have nothing in common with Russian President Putin.

Politicized? Everything is politicized. Some in a positive way, such as the Hiroshima Memorial as evidenced by the number of countries that participate, and some in a negative way to perpetuate hatred. Exactly what "problem" does the Hiroshima ceremony create? And for whom? And yes, if you do not share in the world's hope for no more nuclear weapons in wars then you do share something with Putin.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Even though my country suffered the Japanese invasion, still I felt sympathies for the innocents who died from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I have paid homage at both places.

The world is in danger of a nuclear holocaust that can wipe out most of Mankind on earth. There is a need to end the War, to resume a peace process.

Zelenksy got to go, not Putin. Zelensky caused the War by his insistence to join NATO, by his refusal to even discuss the Minsk Agreement. By his sheer stupidy...merely freezing all issues for ten years would have postponed today's Ukraine tragedy.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Japan is conspicuously absent from the signatories of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which took effect in January 2021.

> So, you admit Japan shares something more with Putin, since, you know, they wouldn't sign a ban on the weapons and therefore do not at all hope for a world without them. You canNOT say you don't want them in the world, then refuse to sign a ban on them. Sorry.

> So was the rape and slaughter of tens of millions across Asia. I am against the nuclear bombings, and against nuclear weapons, make no mistake. But not talking about the past that led to them and only talking about the effect means you have not learned a thing, and as I said just now, and others have pointed out, if Japan is so against these weapons, why have they not signed a ban on them? Had they done so, they could have a foot to stand on when saying, "As the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack...". But as it stands now its, "As the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack, we are not against having them, which may lead to their use."

"Japan resolution fails to mention nuke treaty for 5th year in a row"

Such hypocritical posts as always. You are against nuclear weapons only but not against non-nuclear war?

Unless all who owns get rid of them including chemical and even more devastating weapons all together at the same time, what is the point to be naked as if you would face totally insane madmen like Putin with bare hands?

We are against it but not sign on it now. I don't see any fallacy in it.

Do you know Gandhi?the principle of nonresistance? India do not own them Right? Oh... Wait.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

First of all my sincere condolences for all the innocent civilians anywhere of any nation that have needlessly perished as a result of conflicts or wars

However the numbers are considerably different that ive read concerning Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined

Casualties- 400

Deaths - 64,000

and also i would like to point out there was no mention of the Japanese imperial army actions that was the precursor to the atomic bombings.

That would be the asia holocaust of -

Burma , Singapore and Malaysia , Borneo , Korea ,Taiwan , China , Philippines , Thailand , and pearl harbor Hawaii.

Even tho Japan had signed the agreement with the Hague conventions of 1899 and 1907 not to use poison or poisoned weapons or biological weapons, the imperial army used chemical and biological weapons in devastating attacks.

Most notably and disturbing are the Nanjing massacres and the unit 731 , the Burmese death march and the Philippines.

During the Showa era its estimated that over 30 million people perished due to the Asian holocaust and 10 million prisoners of war were executed as criminals.

Its impossible to pay respects to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki without being reminded of also what the Japanese army did.

In comparison to other war crimes or perished it is also relevant if we are to compare the atomic bombing of Japan to the Ukraine crisis and other leaders conflicts / invasions or wars - Gengis Khan 40 million ,Emperor hirohito 30 million ,Hitler 25 million ,Timur 17 Million ,Stalin 15 million .Spanish Conquests 12 million ,Napoleon 7 million , Alexander several million ,Indigenous Americans 145 million.

And there's more wars /conflicts /invasions not included here.

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

Box ticked.

Great okonomiyaki there,too.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

All countries that have nuclear should get rid of them.ALL COUNTRIES.

Kishida San please tell that to the ambassador before end of today's ceremony.Let's start from there.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

letsberealisticToday  06:43 am JST

Good to see the suffering of war between the US and Japan is not forgotten.

We can only hope that someday Japan will establish a similar relationship of remembrance with Korea and China.

Good post except Japan and Korea never waged war against each other.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

And while all this is going on, Abe is talking about going nuke, and neither Abe nor Kishida have yet to meet with Nobel Peace Prize winner, ICAN.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

@Peter Neil

Japan did offer to surrender in April of 1945 through the Swiss.

Really? The Japanese approached the Soviets about arranging a negotiated surrender. The Soviets weren't interested. (Maybe the Japanese should approached the Americans.)

Tuman refused the surrender at Potsdam.

Really? Truman actually laid out the surrender terms at Potsdam. They were delivered to Japan but Japan ignored them -- until right after the Nagasaki bombing.

I'm curious what kind of history books you read.

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

OssanAmerica: "And yes, if you do not share in the world's hope for no more nuclear weapons in wars then you do share something with Putin."

So, you admit Japan shares something more with Putin, since, you know, they wouldn't sign a ban on the weapons and therefore do not at all hope for a world without them. You canNOT say you don't want them in the world, then refuse to sign a ban on them. Sorry.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

rcch: "My grandfather-in-law was in his classroom that morning. An unnecessary evil, that’s what it was."

So was the rape and slaughter of tens of millions across Asia. I am against the nuclear bombings, and against nuclear weapons, make no mistake. But not talking about the past that led to them and only talking about the effect means you have not learned a thing, and as I said just now, and others have pointed out, if Japan is so against these weapons, why have they not signed a ban on them? Had they done so, they could have a foot to stand on when saying, "As the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack...". But as it stands now its, "As the only nation to have suffered a nuclear attack, we are not against having them, which may lead to their use."

"Japan resolution fails to mention nuke treaty for 5th year in a row"

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14470066

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Having attended the march 23-25, G7 meeting, shouldn’t Koshida be isolating at home for a week like the rules state?

Maybe he refused to sign the pledge?

How can he be running around Hiroshima unless the rules don’t apply and the whole Covid quarantine stipulation is there to be IGNORED?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

@Ken After the ceremony, behind the camera and microphone, Mr.Kishida will tell the US ambassador : Japan is very appreciated with Amerian nuclear protection, please deploying more US nuclear weapons around Japan to make us feel safe and sleep tight!

Our contributions in money will be more and more......

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Japan is NOT a victim. They started the war and refused to surrender despite every other Axis power surrendering. Why are people blaming the US for using nukes?

-7 ( +11 / -18 )

""As we face a possibility of Russia's use of nuclear weapons as a realistic concern, I felt strongly (as leader of ) the world's only country to have suffered atomic attacks that we should never allow threats or use of nuclear weapons,""

Sorry, Kishida... Japan is not the Ukraine in this scenario, they are Russia. Had Japan not done what it did in committing atrocities across Asia (raping and murdering tens of millions) and then went on to attack the US in Pearl Harbor, unprovoked and after lying about the nature of their relationship with the US, they would not have been bombed. Period. So, while Japanese reporters ask Zelenskyy about Hiroshima and try to somehow get Japan in on the victimhood, and Kishida insists the same sort of thing by making this a first stop for the ambassador, he might want to mention the history of what led to the bombings. He is right that it should never be repeated, by neither should the things that led to it -- like what Russia is engaged in as we speak. THAT would have been an even more poignant message, and a humble one. But nope.

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

If Japan has not defeated and later armed with nuclear weapons, I doubt they will convince the world nuclear weapons are harzardous!

When you begin to run a little show, the script should be profound and make sense, right?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

@OssanAmerica

Indeed, it has become a place of many ceremonies. This I feel is the problem. It has become political. Let the victims rest. By the way, I have nothing in common with Russian President Putin.

-8 ( +8 / -16 )

It already is. Representatives from 93 nations have attended the A-Bomb ceremonies. Including the President of the United States. Hiroshima represents the first use of a nuclear weapon in war and the entire world's hope that it will never be repeated again. Well maybe you and Putin are exceptions to that.

Deja Vu?

To be perfectly congruent with the flip-flopping of LDP politicos about their own wartime history (Yasukuni Shrine), Emanuel should now go lay a wreath at the tombs of Curtis Lemay and Leslie Groves.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Can’t help but feel Japan is so hypocritical when it comes to nukes.

Quick to play the victim card even quicker to shelter under Uncle Sam’s umbrella.Yet to sign the anti-nuclear prolification treaty.

in addition it is a given that Japan would have used such weapons during WW2 if they had them to go with all of the chemical and biological weapons they used in the Chinese.

even now I would never trust such weapons in the hands of Abe and the Nippon Kaigi.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

The tragedy was Japan has never allowed to own nuclear weapons. That was the real regret from Kishida and previous Prime Ministers!

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

This one of the thousands of sites in Japan that was bombed in WWII.

-13 ( +10 / -23 )

Japan trying to paint itself as the victim in WW2. Like a wolf crying.

-19 ( +21 / -40 )

Good to see the suffering of war between the US and Japan is not forgotten.

We can only hope that someday Japan will establish a similar relationship of remembrance with Korea and China.

Probably the most intelligent, rational, mature comment I have ever seen on JT.

-20 ( +5 / -25 )

In my opinion, Hiroshima should not become a symbolic shrine in any form.

-22 ( +8 / -30 )

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