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U.S. diplomat: Hiroshima A-bombing should never be repeated

59 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were acts of evil, as were the fire bombings of Tokyo, Kobe etc. etc. But for those who claim the IJA only attacked military installations and not civilians, I encourage you to read about the bombings of civilian populations in Shanghai, Chonqqing and other places in China. While you’re doing that I also encourage you to read about Unit 731 dropping plague infested bombs (bacteriological weaponry) on Ningbo and about chemical weapons used in Wuhan and other places. WW2 was total war engaged on a scale that those of us not involved can ever fully understand. To me there were no good guys in the war. Having said that, I believe the world was made better by stopping the Axis powers, the initiators of military action, the forces who started the ugliness.

8 ( +14 / -6 )

@ praack: Yes, the US should send its President to Hiroshima ceremony, however, Japan should also send its PM to the Pearl Harbor ceremony. Then both sides should 100% move-on from thereafter. No more debate and accusing each other of the past.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

"Hiroshima A-bombing should never be repeated"

Ok, Captain Obvious.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

If only Japan put as much effort into remembering their war atrocities across Asia and the South Pacific. It's amazing how they have whitewashed their history books. I will give the Germans a lot of credit for being fearless in dealing with their history.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

"I think many Americans are still fighting the war"

Clearly, you haven't been to Yasukuni, which assiduously justifies the war, as do Japan's leading politicians. Japan is the one that has created one of the world's most extensive victimization and white-washing industries.

80% of Americans today generally don't care. Hardly any get worked up about it, like the Japanese do.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

@Yamashi no American thinks there should be more nuclear weapons used on people. What attitudes do you see Americans having towards Japanese? All the Americans I know love Japan honestly... Dont be that person. Talk to Americans and ask them... They will talk to you honestly... Do not talk to English Teachers and assume they Are American... a lot are not.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

80% of Americans today generally don't care. Hardly any get worked up about it, like the Japanese do.

Worked up about what? Whenever USA and Japan are involved in a sporting event, you will see countless idiots spew comments like "lets get revenge for pearl harbor", or worse, "let's nuke 'em". Never seen comments like this from Japanese people.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I think she was not sincere in her speech. Just playing "good".

Doesn't matter if she was (is) sincere or not. At least the she DID NOT deny that it actually happened, the way some japanese right-wingers and politicians deny Japan's pastime war releated atrocities.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

souka : japan mostly still thinks that somehow they are always at the top, the best in everything, others the worst - well sometimes I think you need to be humble,"

Preach humbleness?

In every commemoration and ceremonies they have about Hiroshima and Nagasaki.. Japan always, i repeat, always say or mention "Watashi tachi no yatta ayamachi wa nidoto kurikaesanai youni" meaning = to never, ever repeat the same mistakes they have done during the war 私達のやった過ちは二度と繰り返さない様に..。 They never played the victim, as far as i can hear, understand and seen here every year, each time the WWII Anniversary came,  Japan is always humbly admitting the wrongs they have done, Medias from the world present or not.

They surrendered despite being bombed TWICE by a Nuclear Weapon and its cities people being  wiped out, nuked, radiation on the survivors, alive but family all gone wondering what had hit them, shunned, weary of the future, terrified and physically and emotionally sick by shocks and traumas from the A-bombs ; they surrendered to the US after literally been destructed, and bombarded by many, multiple conventional fire bombings in almost all of their major cities; they were punished heavily before AND after the surrender, the war was over but not for them Japan continue to suffer tremendously even after surrender, remember that please.. up until the late fifties the sufferings went on; they submerged completely to American rules and laws despite most of the time the Laws the US and the Constitution they created were all pro-US instead of for the good, welfare, and well-beings of the Japanese they now ruled. ; Japan surrendered and many IJM that were captured were not given a fair-trial, mostly ordinary soldiers and were just following orders from the bad ones, and of course naturally being on the loosing side, so many of them Innocent captives, unfairly accused with war crimes were wrongly convicted and were unjustly hanged to death, while those that had infact really done wrong and hideous things were spared and freed. ; Japan  humbly submerged themselves to the then US Army's stationed in Japan frequent bullyings and racial discriminations to the Japanese, for the mere reason of them being Japs, the losers of the war, the Asians they suffered severe discriminations and wrongdoings even if it is already a War-is-over-situation. Some GI's even treated their women unfairly and do anything as they please with the Japanese Women then anywhere in Japan.. ; they were humiliated, judged - former IJA or ordinary civilian it doesn't matter all experienced some sort of misdoings, and so on and so on..。

You see if that is not being humble enough for you.. then i don't know what is. What the Japanese did too to all the countries they have severely-wronged after Surrendering to the US, and after everything in Japan normalize and they become able to at least pay back in words of apologies, in paper (in finances) in return to the wrong they did, i believe they did it well, to some even more than thrice they paid the huge demands and price.. in China, Korea, the Philippines it was all humbly given, not as funds in exchanges of their families loss (death of a lovedone can never be re-payed) but as assistance because they do not else know how to make it up for what they have done during WWII. If those aren't enough humbleness to you, then tell me what else is?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

overchan: Only a moron would suggest Japan get WMDs on the anniversary of the atomic bombings 'for peace'. I guess some people never learn, eh?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Japan should never start wars with another country !

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Wc626

Had Perry not kicked in Japan's doors and threatened it with mass destruction, there is all the evidence in the world to suggest Japan would have remained the peaceful nation it had been for 250 years.

Perhaps the US diplomats could indulge in a moment of self-reflection about the effects of American foreign policy throughout history and accept some blame for it.

The problem is, diplomats are way down in the pecking order below industry, military and intelligence.

A happy clappy puppet show at best.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Of course not, They don't have A-Bombs any more, Now H-Bombs and Neutron-Bombs... ah that's a different story.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The A-Bombs were as bad as the firebombing of cities filled with civilians - neither should ever be repeated and both really WERE war crimes, even though the US will never officially admit that.

I think the problem with not condemning them as such is that you are tacitly endorsing their use in the future. Will there ever be a situation where, say, the firebombing of Los Angeles and San Fransisco might be 'necessary'? And OK?

There is precedent.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So a representative of the US State Dept, the country that dropped both A-Bombs not only attends both memorials but openly states that nuclear weapons must never be used again....and people here are still going on about Japan's "atrocities" in WWII. What does it take to understand that that this is all about anti-nuclear proliferation and not "victimihood" or "nangking"? How many of these posters remember air raid drills in school during the 1960s when the fear of a nuclear war was very real?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

There is always the danger of nuclear weapons being used when nations become desperate enough. Much of the trouble around the world, that could engender nuclear war, has been manufactured by the U.S. The.truism reported here sounds hollow, considering the source. The U.S. Is in no hurry to rid itself of it nuclear arms.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It's the responsibility of this generation to continue strongly pleading to this world for everlasting peace of mankind without nuclear weapons for a global society filled with unconditional love.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Didnt that MacArthur and later Eisenhower intimidated China with nuclear attacks China in 1950s? That just boosting China to acquire her own and finally brought Nixon to bow in Peking. The nuclear weapons arsenals were good to keep but not good to use!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Kenny lyekawa "Speak for yourself"

Did you enjoy American occupation?

@elephant200 "Didn't that MacArthur and later Eisenhower intimidated China with nuclear attacks in 1950s?"

Even more. They had real, well-developed plans of wide-scale nuclear bombings of the USSR, their former ally of WWII.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

If America didn't kick down Japan's door, someone else would have. Perry's gunboat diplomacy - while crass - was just symbolic of prevailing attitudes of the time. The atom bombs were vile - but it provided Hirohito with an exit. The real reason was the Russians joining in - no negotiated peace on the table anymore

1 ( +1 / -0 )

i find it a shame that 70 years after the US still does not send a high ranker to the ceremony. and i wonder what will happen to Ms Gottemoeller for making such a statement, as it may be misinterpreted.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

"U.S. diplomat: Hiroshima A-bombing should never be repeated"

A sad tragedy, especially when you have no one but your own people to blame. The nuking should never be repeated.

Japan should learn from this and never repeat heinous war crimes: sex slavery, massacre, experiments on live human beings, ..... Additionally, they should be sensitive and stop rubbing salt into the wounds of war victims by denying, downplaying, or whitewashing. They must learn to admit the past and be shameful of their parents and/or grandparents.

The nuking should never be needed again.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Absolutely right. Say it again with vigor. No more nuclear bombings. in fact every political in the world ought to get a micro-chop implant that says this.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Just remember that America is one country that says one thing and does the exsct opposite. No country should take any American proclamation at face value. They are like stinky flatulence.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A U.S. diplomat who attended this week’s 70th anniversary of the American atomic bombing of Hiroshima said Friday that nuclear weapons should never be used again.

OK. So, Land of the "Free," set a good example by getting rid of yours.

Not just empty comments, actually GET RID of nuclear weapons.

And, while we are about it, other weapons of mass destruction, such as nerve gasses, biological weapons, etc.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Were the atomic weapons used at Hiroshima and Nagasaki needed to end the war or was their use a war crime? From my view in 2015, no, I don’t think they were needed and yes, they most likely were a war crime. But if I were judging the issue from the perspective of 1945, instead of 2015, I would likely have a different view.

The brutality of the Pacific War is even now difficult to comprehend, and the brutality only seemed to grow as the US took Corregidor, Guadalcanal, Saipan, Iwo-Jima and lastly Okinawa. That brutality, coupled with atrocities such as the Bataan Death March and others led to a view of the Japanese (all Japanese, not just the military) as scruple-less fanatics who would blindly follow their Emperor if told to fight to the death. After the horrendous loss of life at Okinawa, on both sides, and repeated refusals of surrender, it is somewhat easier to see how US leaders came to the conclusion that using the weapons might speed up the war’s end – and more importantly from their point of view, save American lives.

I wholeheartedly agree with this official - let's never repeat it again.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The people of Japan are better off for having lost the war. Would anyone alive today in Japan prefer to live during the time of Imperial Japan, with the lack of freedom, and the constant wars of aggression?

The Atomic bombs were awful, but more people died in the rape of Nanking than died in both Atom bomb blasts, combined, and at least 20 million Chinese died as a result of Japanese atrocities.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

in all wars, there is nothing expected but the worst. the nuclear was also part of it, just like japan's best artilleries, and machine guns, etc, that exterminated millions combatants and noncombatants alike across asia-pacific.

maybe one missing word in japan's dictionary when it comes to this topic is "humble". what came to the germans soon after the war is they humbled themselves to the most manner possible, admitting that they were losers, raising the voice of those who suffered under the third reich, rather than theirs.

while the message of not repeating the nuclear is vital, that does not mean that japan's story should override all other stories. but, japan mostly still thinks that somehow they are always at the top, the best in everything, others the worst - well, i think sometimes you need to be humble, one part of human nature, maybe a more noble one.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japan never fired even a single bullet at another country for 70 years.

Yeah, cause they're a "peace loving nation" after the worst defeat suffered by ANY nation, how the hell could possibly pull a trigger again?? For 70 years, Japan has ENJOYED the USAF's umbrella. Thought they don't?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Kenny lyekawa "I was born in 1987"

...and you like America because of existence of Coca-Cola, Mickey Mouse Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Really, boy, you NEED to learn what is American occupation instead of giving advices.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Perhaps we should hold onto our nukes, but never actually use them. Saber rattling has worked in the past, but it has the bad habit of unnerving everybody, friend and foe alike.

If everyone got rid of nukes, then the state of warfare could go back to the way it was before WWII. Wars of conquest by established countries, without restraint. Usage of alliances as checks and balances - which could falter if a dictator decides some little country needs to be punished, which is what started WWI. (And WWII, for that matter.)

If nukes weren't involved, there would've been full-blown war in India/Pakistan in the late 1990s instead of a petty crisis and both armies marching up to the borders.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You are referring to the concept of "mutually assured destruction" I believe

0 ( +0 / -0 )

U.S. diplomat: Hiroshima A-bombing should never be repeated

ya think?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The atomic-bombing, fire-bombing of Tokyo, Dresden and several cities of Germany should never be repeated. But it is good to have nuclear missile to prevent one from bullying. And actually it prevents war of epic proportion. So if Japan is no longer under the mutual defense treaty with the USA, I suggest that Japan should also have nuclear weapons.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

Seems like the crazy right wingers are here.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

OssanAmerica: "What does it take to understand that that this is all about anti-nuclear proliferation and not "victimihood" or "nangking"?"

It's about acknowledging suffering and hoping it never happens again. So, pointing out that Japan ought to acknowledge the suffering it inflicted, not deny it but push the victim angle, is not at all unrelated or improper. The US representative, in saying this she is also, of course, including the atrocities that LED to the atomic bombings, as well as the fire bombings, of Japan. So, if she can go so far as to admit that the bombings inflicted terrible suffering, why can't Japan admit the wrongdoing they have caused and not say they hope it is also never repeated again? (perhaps because they are headed down that path again?)

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Yes, that is what I am talking about. True attitude of Americans towards Japanese.

What? For the most part, attitudes towards Japanese by americans is very positive (especially in big US cities). The same vibe cannot be said about japanese towards americans . . . . sorry, couldn't find the link to support my statement, but I saw it recently.

But when Japan shoots first, rocks the hornet's nest and then is ultimately brought to it's knees to surrender by two US Nukes . . . . Then play the "victim" card, while forgetting all the WW2 atrocities Japan itself commited against Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos etc. How can you expect any sincerity in the comments?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"No, Japan has not enjoyed USA occupation, get out."

Speak for yourself, Tina...

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

A Japanese friend in TKO tells me now that the Japanese word in the Centograph slogan ....''ayamachi'' ...could mean variously...... mistake, error, indiscretion or fault, and also.... fiasco. So for this slogan what do you THINK it means BeSt GUESS? I am chimpoon kampoon on this. But curious.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Did you enjoy American occupation?"

What occupation?? The last time I walked down the mean streets of Osaka, I keep missing all those American troops...are they just hiding, @yamashi? And if your talking 1945-1952...well, I was born in 1987, so I guess I missed them. You might want to learn what 'occupation' means.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/05/30/the-bomb-didnt-beat-japan-stalin-did/ This pretty much shows that the atom bombs were a face-saver for Japan to leave the war, and not the main cause of its end

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Had Perry not kicked in Japan's doors and threatened it with mass destruction, there is all the evidence in the world to suggest Japan would have remained the peaceful nation it had been for 250 years.

Perhaps the US diplomats could indulge in a moment of self-reflection about the effects of American foreign policy throughout history and accept some blame for it.

The problem is, diplomats are way down in the pecking order below industry, military and intelligence.

A happy clappy puppet show at best.

One of the best posts ever.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Round and round and round...we go.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Dont take her remarks seriously , you know, everything that Obama administration does of today is to be subjected to scrap after the democrats steps down. The republican has made it clear they will scrap the iran nuclear deal! Once the GOP coming back they will say the opposite !

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

"Gottemoeller said she was moved by seeing aging Japanese survivors continue to tell their stories to help the world understand the consequences of nuclear weapons. She said those stories must be passed on to future generations and the world must continue nonproliferation efforts."

It's important that ALL tales of war be remembered and passed down, and none repeated. That is why not only should the survivors and people who did the bombings pass on their stories, but those who suffered under Japan and survived atrocities committed by the IAJ pass down THEIR stories and not be told to shut up by the same fanatics in Japan that demand the atomic bombings be remembered. Speaking of which:

tinawatanabe: "US govt demands apology be included in each statement. It's obvious you don't read Japanese news. US has become more and more like China/SK."

Actually, it's YOUR country that is becoming more and more like China every day, and you pushing for it! Just think about how much Abe has helped head in that direction: secrets law NO ONE wanted, ramming through legislation that would change the current defense laws DESPITE the MAJORITY of Japanese being against it. Restarting NPPs claiming that "We will only do so if the local people agree" and then saying, "Legally we don't need permission" and decided to restart them anyway when they don't get the locals' permission. A nation that denies any atrocities occured, then demands others acknowledge their greatness and victimhood. A nation that desires freedom of the press be denied (just look at Hyakuta -- a close, personal friend of Abe, or the fact that they deny anti-Nuclear professors or people against the changing of the constitution to speak in public forums, and control certain newspapers and NHK).

Sorry, tina, but it's Japan that's already more or less the new China and becoming even more like it on a daily basis under the Dear Leader Abe.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

I'd prefer to see Japan sever ties with America altogether, actually apologize to China once and for all, and... even though there was a saying "the least corrupt government official is spending one day at the office scrubbing out their predecessor's blood stains on the carpet", say this; "stop thinking about the history of the country and focus on your own people's welfare today.". Japan doesn't need america's military or it's firepower, Japan doesn't need it's own weapons either to show it can "defend" itself. You truly want peace and defence, stop trying to act, or provoke at all. The trouble with Japan now is that their "elite" is ever so unwilling to care for the country.

People don't want an apology anyways, since all they want is the power they get from if you react.

if you're humiliated by apologizing, then they definitely get the power from your humiliation, then this whole thing is just beating aimlessly by the bush. Did we not know that Japan had really apologized already? This whole thing is 70 years ago from what happened already. and seemingly, the U.S has committed much more atrocities counting to the present, than what the IJA committed.

In short, grow up. It doesn't matter about whose atrocities were committed. If a person killed another person, or persons, or soldiers, it is still equally a destructive blow on mankind. It should not only be not repeated, it should be shunt out, replacing the bad with the good. A negative vacuum will always be there if we continue to rant about the past.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@suzuran

sometimes you need to play your opinions on a global theatre. WWII is a global war, total war - one that transcends boundaries, that defies the soverignty of nations, that equalize them on the fate of total destruction.

with that in mind, issues related with WWII are not Japan's business alone, it is everybody's business. while everyone abhor the nuclear and respect/remember the victims of it, does that same reverence given to those who perished under the imperial conquest? aren't they our fellow humans?

i think japan need leaders who can distinguish between issues that are domestic and issues that transcends the domestic conscience. instilling denial is not something needed in 2015.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

From the tone of most posters on this topic lately, I think many Americans are still fighting the war and want to drop a few more nuclear weapons just for good measure.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

@therougou"...you will see countless idiots spew comments like "let's get revenge for pearl harbor" or worse, "let's nuke them""

Exactly. The true attitude of American folks. And, therefore, US ambassador wasn't sincere in her speech at Peace Museum. Besides, how Japanese could consider such people as "allies" ?!

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Yeah, cause they're a "peace loving nation" after the worst defeat suffered by ANY nation, how the hell could possibly pull a trigger again?? For 70 years, Japan has ENJOYED the USAF's umbrella. Thought they don't?

No, Japan has not enjoyed USA occupation, get out.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

tinawatanabe: "Japan never fired even a single bullet at another country for 70 years. How about your country?"

Wrong. They shot down that NK boat that fired on them a decade or more ago. It was self-defense, of course, and they were right to sink the ship, but you are incorrect that they have not fired at anyone, aren't you?

And since this is a thread about marking history, and since you are talking about Japan's history as a reply to a poster that said Japan should not attack other countries, how many bullets did they fire, and at how many other nations, BEFORE 70 years ago, tina? Don't say it's not relevant -- we're marking history here. If that history is not relevant and should be forgotten, so are the atomic bombings. My guess is you would not suggest doing that, would you? So why should we forget the IJA atrocities that led to it?

"No, Japan has not enjoyed USA occupation, get out."

Only in the minds of the paranoid and the bitter is Japan occupied by the US.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Japan should never start wars with another country !

Japan never fired even a single bullet at another country for 70 years. How about your country?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Japan should get MIRV ICBMs. That could stop any bully

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

"Hiroshima A-bombing should never be repeated".

I think she was not sincere in her speech. Just playing "good".

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

yes, japan deserves to get ICBM & MIRV, SLBM, SSBN. Japan is the most oppressed country in the world, she is a VICTIM of American racism and Chinese vengeance. All countries around japan is bullying japan, a nuclear armed japan is the answer. Why japan being the only countries to be nuked twice..... The Russians, communist China done horrible things, yet the president of USA is daily appeasing them. Japan is really realy the most bitter VICTIM in human history . Thanks for sharing !

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

@Wc626"Doesn't matter if she was (is) sincere or not.

Yes, that is what I am talking about. True attitude of Americans towards Japanese.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Wrong! Has to be and will be repeated. That is the nature of man.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

US govt demands apology be included in each statement. It's obvious you don't read Japanese news. US has become more and more like China/SK.

the way some japanese right-wingers and politicians deny Japan's pastime war releated atrocities

.Japan denies the only exaggerated part.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Then both sides should 100% move-on from thereafter. No more debate and accusing each other of the past

.Japan never accused USA, it is always USA that keep demanding apology.

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

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