politics

Tokyo Olympics not to observe moment of silence for A-bomb victims

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The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were undoubtedly war crimes, but a moment of silence at the Olympics would only open that old can of worms, the optics of a one-sided gesture without a moment to also reflect on the millions of victims of Japanese military aggression in Asia. The decision of the IOC not to go there is wise.

-2 ( +17 / -19 )

A supposedly covert way of emotional blackmail, They came for the Olympics but must be endure scenes of A-bomb " history",

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Should be remembered and victims memorialized. But the Olympics should not be drawn into it. Wise choice.

7 ( +16 / -9 )

Attaboys!! IOC! Demonstrate your Corporate psychopathy by ignoring an event which gave to the World a global paranoia unrivaled in Human history! If there is ANY event which should be mourned universally by Humanity, it is the Dawn of Nuclear War and to ignore it puts us all in danger of repeating it. WASUREINAI!!!

-12 ( +8 / -20 )

According to the IOC, the closing ceremony on Aug 8 will include a segment looking back on tragic events in history and lives lost.

This is exactly where victims of the Japanese government involvement in WWII should be remembered.

This small group, citizens of one of the main hostile nations in that war, should get no more focus than the millions and millions of people killed during that war. Death by an atomic bomb or death by a bullet or bayonet--there is no difference, because the result is the same--death.

Unless of course the focus is on the victims from the countries that were not the aggressors., invaders, colonizers.

Those innocent deaths should be treated differently..

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Mr. Bach is enjoying his luxury stay in his $25,000 per night suite and cannot afford to spare one minute for the memories of this atrocity.

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

Any coward aggression by a military body against defenseless civilians regardless of ideology, country or side is a war crime..

Exactly. So I expect Bach to visit Nanjing next winter.

-1 ( +17 / -18 )

Our government has turned the suffering of the victims of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki into a political campaign, a disgusting spectacle. It's no longer about honoring the memory of all those who have died and disappeared. They ignore what came before and what came after.

Many of the victims had to go through long trials against JP government and some waited until this year to be "allowed" to be considered victims. Let that sink in. The atomic bombing victim card is simply used when it suits someone.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

What does the Olympics and the Atomic Bomb attacks in japan of WW2 has to do with each other?

8 ( +12 / -4 )

"I wanted them to take just a bit of time. What did Mr. Bach visit Hiroshima for? We feel betrayed," said Toshiyuki Mimaki, 79, acting chair of the branch of the confederation, also known as Nihon Hidankyo

Oh! come on, Mr.! That was a bit asking too much! Not everyone has to agree with the view of you after visiting Hiroshima!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Exactly. So I expect Bach to visit Nanjing next winter.

@pukey

I agree. Also a far worse tragedy against a country that didn't deserve it.

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

IOC's Bach visited to Hiroshima on the pretext of "peace" but he didn't mention Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty at all.

This is clearly political behavior with considering to government of host country or nuclear countries.

Protest from Hibakusha group is natural.

Olympics has not been able to stop using military force.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Don’t ask them, just force them. They are officially here at that time, they know the calendar and know about that memorial every year at all official places countrywide. They just do that one minute silence as it is done throughout all of the country. It’s really not too big a demand.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

It was planned from the start as a propaganda move as again Japan the victim.

Nevermind what was done all over Asia by Japan at the time, nevermind that just as bad if not worse happened during the May 9/10 firebombing of Tokyo.

My parents came to Japan many times and made an observation regarding Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

They said they got the impression Hiroshima was obsessed with the issue and living in the past and made their visit there less enjoyable.

Nagasaki the impression was that it was far more interested in moving on and living in the now and future.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Don’t ask them, just force them. They are officially here at that time, they know the calendar and know about that memorial every year at all official places countrywide. They just do that one minute silence as it is done throughout all of the country. It’s really not too big a demand.

Japan's official memorial to the victims is on the 15 August., Shusen-kinenbi, not Hiroshima.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If these were the Hiroshima Olympics then the city officials and the group's request might make sense, but at the same time the Japanese government invited the bombings by failing to end the war earlier, never mind starting it in the first place.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Bach should not have gone to Hiroshima. It was a self-serving gesture, on behalf of supporting the Olympics in the mist of a pandemic, and now the mayor of Hiroshima has a favor to ask in return. If Bach took the bait he would be violating Olympics protocol. Political divisions would erupt and that would be most regrettable--possibly making the pandemic worse than it is.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

At least this makes is crystal clear the Hiroshima visit was just an empty gesture to buy some sympathy for the games.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Don’t ask them, just force them.

Exactly, Japan will have a moment of silence.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Don’t ask them, just force them.

Exactly, Japan will have a moment of silence.

Japan always does have a moment of silence on 15 August which is, of course, optional. One one is forced.

Incidently, it is interesting that this article is in the political section of JT.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The IOC is mostly Western Corporate, so we cannot expect any better behavior. If one has the stomach for comparing body counts, NO ONE will outdo the 'ALLIES' in WWII. Nor will anyone outdo them in finding mindless justifications for the horrors they inflicted but NEVER talk about nor allow anyone else to point out. MORALLY PERFECT, our Western psychopaths and the sad minds they so easily fool...

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

And few of these sad sacks grew up as children WAITING for it to happen to US. "Duck! and Cover!" No 'if' at that time, but WHEN will it happen that the insane people running the U.S. and the USSR would PUSH THE BUTTON. It leaves a mark in the awareness and the possibility seems no less now than then. But, having lived with it in the background all their relatively short lives so far, rather than the foreground, as it was then, habituation shrinks it in the minds of our callow youth. And looking at the potential future of Mankind on Earth and the increasing fight for resources, NOTHING makes it seem less likely except being AWARE and fully hostile to even the suggestion. Those who don't know history...

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The IOC is mostly Western Corporate, so we cannot expect any better behavior. If one has the stomach for comparing body counts, NO ONE will outdo the 'ALLIES' in WWII. Nor will anyone outdo them in finding mindless justifications for the horrors they inflicted but NEVER talk about nor allow anyone else to point out. MORALLY PERFECT, our Western psychopaths and the sad minds they so easily fool...

Try visiting the Museum in Hubei Provence in China in memory of the victims of Unit 731.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Any coward aggression by a military body against defenseless civilians regardless of ideology, country or side is a war crime..

If they want war, kill armies and politiciasn each other, but leave the people in peace, don't touch civilians, lousy cowards..

That's quite brave of you to call out what the japanese did to millions throughout Asia for years.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

This decision goes completely against what the olympics is supposed to support, world peace. Just proves that the IOC is only about money, and screwing host countries.

Come on!!! It’s a minute silence. Surely the beloved sponsors can accommodate that?!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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