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Obama says Hiroshima visit will emphasise current U.S. ties with Japan

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Even after two devastating nuclear bombs, the imperial japanese army still wanted to continue the fight. Imagine what could have happened if the Americans decided not to drop the bombs. The war could have ended in 1946 - that's an additional 50,000 lives lost on the American side.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A forced apology isn't a sincere apology. Japanese should praise Obama over his choice to make the first visit ever after more than 70 years. There were many Commanders in Chief during the last decades but none dared to pay a visit to Hiroshima and Nagazaki after the American A-class Bomb.

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U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday his visit to Hiroshima, the first city to suffer an atomic bombing, would emphasize friendly ties between former enemies, and reiterated he would not apologize for the devastating attack.

His political advisors must have instructed him not to apologize while in Hiroshima but instead emphasize "friendly ties between former enemies." But the catch is that if he emphasizes "friendly ties" too much, that will hurt Okinawa tremendously because the more the two countries become friendly through a military alliance, the more suffering and burden Okinawa has to bear. The former enemies cannot be genuine friends as long as Okinawa is offered to the U.S. as a permanent sacrifice. A real friendship cannot be engendered out of such a lop-sided relation.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

tinawatanabe: How has Obama broken any ties? If you're answer is 'asking Japan to apologise', for example, you might well keep in mind that if Japan had apologised (sincerely) there would be no need to ask, so in reality it is Japan that broke any broken ties, not vice-versa. The current economic situation? It wasn't the US the devalued the yen, but the US and many other countries that have continuously asked Japan not to do it AGAIN. Are they guilty of doing the same? for sure. Hence, it is a two-way street, and 'relations', not relation.

So, yes, not only Japan, but with neighbours in Asia, this trip will improve relations. With Japan, Hiroshima in particular. Remember, it is the first time a sitting US president has in history gone to visit Hiroshima (two have after leaving office); no president has before him. You can't say he has severed the ties of previous presidents visiting Hiroshima.

Tamagawaboat: "Most people think that America dropped two different types’ atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the purpose of putting an end to the war. This is a bouncing lie."

No, it was PART of the reason for doing so, and there are a myriad of others. What you are doing in simply accusing the US of completely doing one thing is failing to take into account the reasons why Japan needed to be stopped -- let alone ignoring the fact that Japan started the Pacific war to begin with. It's the same type of rationale that falls back on the "Well, they did it because they had no choice! they were blockaded!" while conveniently ignoring that they were blockaded because they refused to withdraw from the colonies, where they were slaughtering millions.

"The truth is that America dropped atomic bombs in a hurry because it was coming to the end of the war. America didn't want to lose a golden opportunity to conduct experiments on living human bodies."

You mean like Unit 731? or is that a 'bouncing lie', too?

"If you don't believe that, please find when America set atomic bombs' target cities (Hiroshima, Kyoto, Yokohama, Kokura...etc.). You will get to know that the date of target setting was May 9, 1945, the next day when Nazi Germany surrendered officially on May. 8."

And? How about you look a little into the history as to why as well, since we're at it? You'll find it's a lot more complex, and ultimately, you still fail to take into account that if Japan had not attacked, they would not have been attacked, bottom line. You cannot blame the US for WWII, my friend. Ultimately you can only blame the former Japanese leadership for what ultimately happened.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Obama says Hiroshima visit will emphasise current U.S. ties with Japan

What tiies? The ones his administration has broken?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Most people think that America dropped two different types’ atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the purpose of putting an end to the war. This is a bouncing lie.

The truth is that America dropped atomic bombs in a hurry because it was coming to the end of the war. America didn't want to lose a golden opportunity to conduct experiments on living human bodies.

If you don't believe that, please find when America set atomic bombs' target cities (Hiroshima, Kyoto, Yokohama, Kokura...etc.). You will get to know that the date of target setting was May 9, 1945, the next day when Nazi Germany surrendered officially on May. 8.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

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

Not even close. They were most certainly horrible war crimes, but what the Japanese did prior to them were FAR worse -- live vivisections and chemical weapons testing on innocents, the rape of Nanjing, sword beheading contests for fun, sexual slavery, forcing little girls to eat grenades in Okinawa, you name it. Part of the reason for the bombings was to stop Japan's atrocities in its colonies and at home. Other reasons were political. In any case, an apology would only serve to perpetrate the myth many embrace that Japan did nothing wrong and is the victim; and don't say Abe apologised... he very much wanted to rescind previous apologies and only, after much hesitation, "reaffirmed" former apologies, not at all adding his own, and certainly not for the record. And even after that many on here have pointed out that it was just to "get things moving and meant nothing", especially when it came to sex slaves and compensation money.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Below is how my friend put it forth: Japan kicked China. China cried in pain. So Japan and China foes.

Japan kicked US(Pearl Harbor). US bombed Japan(Hiroshima)...with interest(Nagasaki). So US and Japan allies.

Vietcong kicked the US out of Vietnam. So the US and Vietnam are friends

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Considering how Japan behaved in the 1930s in China, and in South-East Asia, in French Indo-China before 7 December 1941 and Indonesia, the Philippines, after 7 December 1941

So.......the people of today have to pay for the sins of their fathers. Is that what you are saying?

NO, but wouldnt it be nice if Japanese were taught about what JAPAN DID during WWII for a start 70+yrs later.........

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Then he added "but it's gonn look great for my legacy"

This time I have to say I agree with you

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

would emphasise friendly ties between former enemies, and reiterated he would not apologise for the devastating attack.

Then he added "but it's gonn look great for my legacy"

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

It started the day Hirohito delivered his surrender speech.

Still, the samurai, banzai die-hards tried to stop him from delivering that speech. What would their version be like instead?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Obama please stay home

Please - we beg you ...

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Critics argue that by not apologising, Obama will allow Japan to stick to the narrative that paints it as a victim.

The J govt will always paint itself as a victim. It started the day Hirohito delivered his surrender speech.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"Critics argue that by not apologising, Obama will allow Japan to stick to the narrative that paints it as a victim."

A BS argument that creates a loophole for Japan to still consider itself the victim either way. Don't apologise? Well then, that means Japan was the victim! Apologise? Proof Japan was the victim.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

“I think it is also a happy story about how former adversaries came together to become one of the closest partnerships and closest allies in the world,”

As a kid I failed in history subject simply because I couldn't find any logic above.

Below is how my friend put it forth: Japan kicked China. China cried in pain. >> So Japan and China foes.

Japan kicked US(Pearl Harbor). US bombed Japan(Hiroshima)...with interest(Nagasaki). >> So US and Japan allies.

Moral: Only strength respects strength. Law of the jungle.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Critics argue that by not apologising, Obama will allow Japan to stick to the narrative that paints it as a victim.

I agree with Wc626, I am confused to how this would allow Japan to say it was a victim, compared to apologising.

I'm a bit tired of watching Japanese news channels spin this story in so many different ways. Let the man visit, pay his respect to those who died and show his commitment to de-nuclearization.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Chris.

He is currently in Vietnam and I heard a former POW us coming with him to Japan.

He should not apologize beyond saying it was a difficult time in History and it should not be repeated.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

His visit will also let the right-wingers feel they have an apology of sorts. Emphasise ties? Japan pays 2 billion dollars a year to host US bases - mostly in Okinawa - and prioritises American English over all other forms in schools. I didn't think it was possible to emphasise ties any further. Obama is cementing his legacy however as the leader who reached out to Iran, Cuba, and visited Hiroshima.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

His visit to the site is an unspoken apology in and of itself, and I think that's the point of this event. But when anyone from Japan starts complaining about the US dropping the bomb twice to end that war, they get the world's smallest violin from me.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

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. 6 million Jews , taken away, starved gassed and their remains burnt to hide the truth, id say that classifies as one of the worst crimes against humanity. Or the brutal slaughter , 100s thousands of Asian men women and children by the IJA. Or the 20million Soviets, mostly civilians killed by Hitler's soldiers. WW2 was so much larger than just the A bombs , the European side of the war was much larger and more bloody than the pacific yet you'd think to live in Japan that only Japanese and Americans fought in WW2. Wake up Japan and look at the whole picture not just your brainwashed victimised version of it

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Well, in a weird way I suppose the bombing, surrender and temporary occupation of Japan did bring Japan and the U.S. closer together?

Morrissey said it too No?

"If It's not love, then it's the bomb that will bring us together."

2 ( +4 / -2 )

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.

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

Most Japanese believe they were unjustified.

Unsupported. Most Japanese I know - particularly the older ones - basically agree with the majority view of Americans: That it shortened the war, kept Russia out of Japan, and ultimately resulted in fewer deaths than an invasion.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

I watched his TV interview and felt his sincerity because he has chosen proper words every time to shown their apology.

I guess that he is a position to do action of course but it's very difficult issues about war.

However it's no way because of U.S.president.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Close the bases, leave Japan if that's the majority of opinion of the Japanese. China and Russia are the alternatives.

Harry Truman had a difficult choice in 1945. Risk tens of thousands of Japanese civilians and allied soldiers in an invasion or use the bomb. Island hopping in the South Pacific showed the loyalty of the Japanese. Suicides of civilians showed the loyalty to the emperor. Many of those islands had taken less than 10% of surrendering Japanese. Imagine a Honshu invasion. The death toll would have been staggering.

The true sin of the use of atomic weapons is they were further developed to even more destructive devices.....by the thousands throughout the world. We humans are stupid and wreckless. They will be used in the future again at some point. I believe that, we humans collectively are destructive. Just look at the planet today. Wars, famine, corruption, disease and the environment. We constantly damage, destroy and deny.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Many Japanese do not know how Americans are self righteous and arrogant. They will come to know only when they visit America and face discriminations. Obama is paying a certain sacrifices in visiting Hiroshima. Japanese must understand it and hold down their naivity (stupidity).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

“I think it is also a happy story about how former adversaries came together to become one of the closest partnerships and closest allies in the world,”

The partnership is strained. A US serviceman raped a Japanese woman in a hotel in Okinawa recently. Then an x-marine sexually assaulted and murdered another woman. Everyone wants the bases closed in Okinawa. Damage control.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

It's hard to see what merit such a speech will make on a country so ill equipped to deal with it

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Word is that although Obama himself will not apologize he will have his close advisor Al Sharpton do so on his behalf. Advance copies of the Reverend Al's statement will include his lament that the atomic bombings prevented the deaths of hundreds of thousands of White Christian cis-males than otherwise would have occurred noting the large numbers killed in Okinawa, Saipan, Guadalcanal, the Philippines, and elsewhere during the Pacific campaign. Al also plans to cite the atomic bombings as the most egregious example of white privilege during the 20th century next to Archie Moore's loss to Rocky Marciano in their heavyweight championship boxing match in the Fall of 1955.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Critics argue that by not apologising, Obama will allow Japan to stick to the narrative that paints it as a victim.

It seems even more likely to me that an apology by Obama would allow Japan to stick to its victim narrative.

"I thought it was a good time for me to reflect on the nature of war. Part of my goal is to recognise that innocent people caught in war can suffer tremendously,” [Obama] said.

Although I agree with Obama here, I also realize that by only visiting Hiroshima Obama is reinforcing the Abe regime's victim agenda of Japan as a benevolent occupier that ended up suffering more than those it occupied. In the spirit of recognizing that innocent people suffer tremendously in war, he should also be visiting other sites in Japan where victims suffered, which should include a number of sites where non-Japanese victims suffered at the hands of the IJA and former IJA sites that were the source of suffering.

These sites could include the site where the former Unit 731 was located in Shinjuku, former chemical/biological weapons facilities in Japan, sites in Japan were sex slavery took place, and locations in Japan where slave labor was used.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

Considering how Japan behaved in the 1930s in China, and in South-East Asia, in French Indo-China before 7 December 1941 and Indonesia, the Philippines, after 7 December 1941

So.......the people of today have to pay for the sins of their fathers. Is that what you are saying?

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Obama will not apologize for Hiroshima attack, he tells Japanese TV. Why should he? Considering how Japan behaved in the 1930s in China, and in South-East Asia, in French Indo-China before 7 December 1941 and Indonesia, the Philippines, after 7 December 1941, considering the viciousness of the Imperial Japanese military towards civilians, towards prisoners of war, considering Unit 731 (biological warfare) testing of bio-weapons on Chinese civilians and soldiers, considering the sex slavery, considering the Rape of Nanjing, considering the god-awful moral and emotional COWARDICE of that war criminal Hirohito who stood by and let atrocity after atrocity after atrocity be committed in his name, considering that even after Hiroshima and Nagasaki the Imperial Japanese military wanted to fight on, to HELL with apologizing for Hiroshima!

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

and reiterated he would not apologise for the devastating attack.

Come on Obama, you will only be in office for about another 6 months or so, stir the pot.....PLEASE!

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

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