politics

U.S. envoy Kennedy visits Nagasaki atomic bomb site

59 Comments

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy visited Nagasaki on Tuesday and paid tribute at a memorial to those killed when the United States dropped its second atomic bomb on Japan.

"I am deeply moved by my visit here," said Kennedy, the lone surviving child of John F Kennedy, who was assassinated in Dallas 50 years ago last month.

"President Kennedy was very proud that he was able to start the process of nuclear disarmament and all of our family shares that commitment," she said. "President Obama also has been working very hard on this issue."

More than 70,000 people died either instantly in the blast or from the after-effects in the months and years following the bombing on Aug 9, 1945, of the port city of Nagasaki.

The morning attack came three days after the first-ever atomic blast at Hiroshima, which claimed about 140,000 lives in all.

Kennedy, escorted by Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue and aging survivors of the bombing nearly seven decades ago, laid a white flower wreath in front of the symbolic Peace Statue.

Kennedy's predecessor John Roos attended peace ceremonies on the anniversaries of the bombings in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the first U.S. ambassador to do so.

Survivors and activists have repeatedly called for an American president to visit the cities.

© (c) 2013 AFP

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59 Comments
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obligatory appearance in Hiroshima to appease Japanese victimhood industry. Check.

Now Kennedy can get on with her job.

-12 ( +11 / -23 )

She is visiting Nagasaki, not Hiroshima.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@horsefella. Wrong city.

But I agree with your thoughts.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Look as sad as it was. Do we really have to appologise for the rest of our lives? I am a strong supporter of Japan, my wife is Japanese. But seriously, I don't think it is necessary for people to appologise over and over again.

The thing that heals wounded spirits, wounded hearts...Is to accept it, learn from it, and move on.

-11 ( +7 / -17 )

Japan is a great friend of Australia and the USA. But back then the logic was to save a couple of hundred thousand allied lives and equal Japanese lives with a land air invasion by sacrificing Japanese civilian lives with an atom bomb. Remember the slaughter at Omaha and the awful cost to take Fortress Europe. Japan was the aggressor and the enemy. Japan as a country deserved it's fate even though most of the civilian individuals who died terribly, didn't. It was the right decision.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Look as sad as it was. Do we really have to appologise for the rest of our lives? I am a strong supporter of Japan, my wife is Japanese. But seriously, I don't think it is necessary for people to appologise over and over again.

The thing that heals wounded spirits, wounded hearts...Is to accept it, learn from it, and move on.

Cortez, the US has never officially apologized for the atomic bombing of Japan. And no one is raising a rukus about it. She just went to visit.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

darknutsDec. 10, 2013 - 09:03PM JST Look as sad as it was. Do we really have to appologise for the rest of our lives? I am a strong supporter of Japan, my wife is Japanese. But seriously, I don't think it is necessary for people to appologise over and over again. The thing that heals wounded spirits, wounded hearts...Is to accept it, learn from it, and move on. Cortez, the US has never officially apologized for the atomic bombing of Japan. And no one is raising a rukus about it. She just went to visit.

One, my name is not Cortez, it is Cortes. Two, you mentioned the U.S never truly apologized? Can you please tell me what a true apology is? Define it for me?

So you're saying that, Miss. Kennedy did not officially apologize when she visited the site recently? So if she did, then that means I should not read about American's visiting the sites to apologize anymore.

Like I said, yes we are sorry. I just think it shouldn't be something America has to regret for the rest of their lives.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

Cortes ElijahDec. 10, 2013 - 08:06PM JST Look as sad as it was. Do we really have to appologise for the rest of our lives? I am a strong supporter of Japan, my >wife is Japanese. But seriously, I don't think it is necessary for people to appologise over and over again.

Who is asking for apologies over and over again? Any apologies given by Americans are done so because they themselves want to.I am one of those who believe that the use of the A-bombs was a horrible thing but necessitated by circumstances at the time. A tremendous number of civilians were killed, as were civilians all over the world in WWII, Ambassador Kennedy appears to have gone of her own will, not as part of the annual memorial service and is in keeping with her assignment to further our relationship. I find comments about "Japanese victimhood" in poor taste, as all civilians in wars are victims. Japan is our ally and does not advance an anti-US agenda nor do they harp on the A-bombs demanding apologies continuously.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

So you're saying that, Miss. Kennedy did not officially apologize when she visited the site recently? So if she did, then that means I should not read about American's visiting the sites to apologize anymore.

No she didn't. I don't think the Japanese government ever expects any official apology from the U.S. government. What is your point?

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Her father went out of his way to befriend the Germans, who were also former enemies. Of course Cold War politics were involved as well. But aside from petty sniping from some quarters, I can't see this kind of outreach do any damage. And it's certainly good to see a government employee earning her salary.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Japan is our ally and does not advance an anti-US agenda nor do they harp on the A-bombs demanding apologies continuously.

Japan doesn't harp on the A-bombs or play the victim card?? Oh dear...

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

hosefella! I agree.

What I am saying is the U.S has no reason to even go to the sites. official or unofficial, they apologized. That's that. Japan always tours Americans to these sites for the very reason of them playing victim still. Have you ever been to Japan?

Watch how the ogesan's stare at you. You will get what I mean.

If you don't understand my point, then go back to my first comment. Read it, then come back again.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

Japan doesn't harp on the A-bombs or play the victim card?? Oh dear...

If it did, the Japanese government will be demanding official apologies and compensations until they get one. As far as I know, it's the Japanese government that pays the medical bills for the victims.

As far as official visits to the memorium on August goes, I believe Ambassador Roos was the first to go.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

Let's see Abe and his mafia pay tribute at the Nanjing Massacre War Museum.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

hoserfellaDec. 10, 2013 - 09:33PM JST "Japan is our ally and does not advance an anti-US agenda nor do they harp on the A-bombs demanding apologies continuously."

Japan doesn't harp on the A-bombs or play the victim card?? Oh dear...

That's right horeseflla. If you feel otherwise show me some evidence. Show me when the J-govt has demanded an apology from the U.S.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

in reality the US never apologized for the bombing, in the united states it is still taught that it was justified at the time. it was new tech- no one knew what it would really do. even the scientists had not tested for the Japanese cities.

but the issue here is the silence- it took too long for the US to send representatives to the sites, these were civilians who lost their lives.

to pay tribute to them and to push for disarmament is not a bad thing

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Good on her part to visit. But I don't really think Obama is doing much these days towards nuclear disarmament.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

That's right horeseflla. If you feel otherwise show me some evidence. Show me when the J-govt has demanded an apology from the U.S.

OssanAmerica - when you finally get to Japan and experience the culture a bit you'll know what I mean. Godspeed

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

No doubt the atomic bombings were war crimes as they were totally unnecessary. More of a warning to the Russians than anything else. The US could carpet bomb any city in Japan they wanted to (like they did in Tokyo, Kobe etc.) and completely destroy it so this old argument that the US had to use atomic weapons to save lives is very lame (and sounds like justification), but I realize that is what is taught at schools in the US so naturally it is believed to be a fact.

Anyway, good on the Ambassador for visiting the Nagasaki Peace Park. Lest we forget.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Good on ambassador Kennedy for honoring the victims.

This has nothing to do with any Japanese person wanting apologies for the bombings, or Japanese victim hood.

Quite contrary, for example there is nothing in Hiroshima, no displays or anything, which blames America or makes Japan seem to be an innocent victim in the war.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Using the war doctrine and standards practiced by the US after WW II to measure, the two a-bombs dropped by the US on Japanese cities were clearly an unjustified and excessive-forced act given such a larger number of innocent civilians fatalities perished. That being said, putting it in the historical context, the US was frustrated and losing its patience on the east front then. The good part is that the US has learned its lesson since and has been extremely careful when it comes to use nuclear weapons on any armed conflicts involved.

For Japan, the lesson should also be learned as well in terms of dealing with its own past mass war atrocity and crimes against humanity in Asia ranging from Philippine to Korea.

As people often say: it's not what you say that matters it's what you do.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Atomic bombings with 99% civilian victims are a crime against humanity. Period!

1 ( +7 / -6 )

hoserfellaDec. 10, 2013 - 10:35PM JST "That's right horeseflla. If you feel otherwise show me some evidence. Show me when the J-govt has demanded an apology from the U.S." OssanAmerica - when you finally get to Japan and experience the culture a bit you'll know what I mean. Godspeed

I just got back from Japan this weekend. Second trip this year. I've dealt with US-Japan relations more than you can imagine over the years. So when has the J-govt eer demanded an apology from the U.S. for the A-bombs?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

OssanAmerica: who care any kind of political J-Gov's request? Nobody!

This A-bombing "mistake" is 100% a US mistake! Period!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Nagasaki was developed by Portugeese and later churches and Chiristian missions were3 built. Then Christian Japanese there became 'kakurte Kirishitan' (hididng from persecution as Christinans) When religeon became free, many Christians hiding returned to Christian, Second bomb was meant to be dropped in Kokura City but weather caused to shift to Nagasaki. At the bombing time, people did not know why Nagasaki was bombed. Pika-don bombs (atomic bomb - Genbaku) were main reason Emperor declared ending of war. It was Christian dominated area in Japan for generatons, Back to Amb. Kennedy's visit, Glad she met aged survivors. She knows feelings of surviving children. So far the best visitor for Nagasaki people.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The atomic bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and the firebombing of Dresden were acts of utter insanity that can never be justified by those who ordered these atrocities. Until this truth is openly acknowledged there can be no meaningful reconciliation. The failure to do this to the present time, indicates the insane powers behind such senseless slaughter are still in control of the war machines, and the world continues to totter at the abyss of mass extinction.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

I wore a support our troops shirt on my visit. The US should teach how horrible the bombings were the Japanese should teach how much destruction and loss of life would have occurred if an invasion of the mainland had happened. The US did not start the war, the bombs help bring it to a close with most of Japan not flattened like Germany. In one way, you can say that the US got the lesson of Okinawa, that is the Japanese hoped to make that battle so bloody that the US would think twice about main island invasion. It worked, the US chose to go the a-bomb.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Jim Poushinsky Dec. 11, 2013 - 01:42AM JST The atomic bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and the firebombing of Dresden were acts of utter insanity that can never be justified by those who ordered these atrocities. The tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is all about the innocent Japanese women and children that died in a flash. But you missed over decade of slow, methodical torture, rape, theft and pillaging that IJA committed in Chin, Korea, Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia. Japan is still looking at themselves as a victim. When you speak of cowards, IJA beat and tortured Allied prisoners and civilians of war, as if they have no conscience for the things they did in the name of their Emperor. And of course so many more killed themselves rather than face the tribunal of world judgment for their crimes against the innocent. When upon viewing the destruction of the city of Hiroshima, and learning that the Soviets had declared war on Japan, Hirohito began publically stating to his cabinet that "We must end this war". The Emperor ended it, not anyone else. Not the people of Japan only, he ended it when he spoke via radio declaring and end to all. Up until then, he held out for a negotiated peace that would have allowed the IJA and J-Goverment of 1945 to escape any responsibilty for the millions of deaths, rapes and tortures committed in all the years since early 1930's. Tell me that military men of Japan in the 1940's were a civilized, humanitarian like group of people when in fact its acts of violence against her neighbors is only exceeded by the Germans and the Nazi party. I don't blame the current generation and their parents for the actions of the grandparents. But I feel sorry for this generation for not getting the opportunity to learn truth of their countries actions in the past, they can learn from them. All they seemed to have learned is nuclear bombs are bad and they were victims.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

OssanAmerica - where did I say Japan formally asked for an apology? You'll have to refresh my memory. My point in this thread is the Japanese victimhood industry.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

hoserfellaDec. 11, 2013 - 08:48AM JST OssanAmerica - where did I say Japan formally asked for an apology? You'll have to refresh my memory. My point in >this thread is the Japanese victimhood industry.

Let me refresh your memory then:

hoserfellaDec. 10, 2013 - 09:33PM JST "Japan is our ally and does not advance an anti-US agenda nor do they harp on the A-bombs demanding apologies continuously." Japan doesn't harp on the A-bombs or play the victim card?? Oh dear...

I have asked you three times for evidence to support your statement. You have failed. You don't have to call me anything, just prove your statement. Irrelevant comments are unnecessary.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Readers, no more bickering please. Focus your comments on the story and not at each other.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

These surviving A-bomb victims must have lived with A-bomb disease entire their life. To them, Ambassador Kennedy visit must be delightful experience. She did not forget victims. Seems she is more humanitarian spirited. I winder all republicans and democrats in US Senates figured she would be only one who would behave like this in Japan. It is rare in USA Senates that 100% agree any appointment. Nagasaki Mayor and Nagasaki people ,must be delighted too.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Whether by a-bomb, fire-bombing (more people died thru fire-bombing than a-bombs btw), or land invasion, millions of people would had died no matter what, on both sides. Those deaths would had been inevitable in all-out war. It's unfortunate; no need for apologies, but learn from it, as friends move on.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A wonderful gesture by Roos and now by Kennedy. This is the kind of attitude and unilateral act which can heal wounds and promote peace. It is true leadership as in leadership by example, not by command.

As for worries about appeasing the victim mindset: Nursing a grudge about someone else nursing a grudge is a less than zero sum game, you'll just be forever stuck in a non-optimal local minima unable to see the opportunities waiting beyond the next ridge.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The youngest survivers are about 68 yearsw old now. When A-bom flash affected womb of pregnant women, unborn babies were born wth abnormality. Pica babies, Japanese peaple called them Children of Atomic Bomb, then. . Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki people pray for peace. They knew it was war, We never heard they have grudge, Don;t complain as if they hold grudge or accuse them because shikata-ga-nai. Don;t blame them when there is no record of complaining by them or demanding apologize by them. Just leave them respect like Kennedy did. Well, Kenedy is very knowledgeable of Japanese culture such as hyakunin isshu. She knew about Children of Atomic Bomb to visit them in Nagasaki where American doctors treated them and published a book years ago.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

One, my name is not Cortez, it is Cortes. Two, you mentioned the U.S never truly apologized? Can you please tell me what a true apology is? Define it for me?

An official apology is one endorsed by Congress and the president and delivered by a high ranking official. A single Ambassador apologizing is not official apology on behalf of the US govt.

So you're saying that, Miss. Kennedy did not officially apologize when she visited the site recently?

Did the article say she did? And she doesnt have the authority to do that anyway. Let's not jump to assumptions.

So if she did, then that means I should not read about American's visiting the sites to apologize anymore.

Like I said, an American apologizing is not an official apology. The govt is responsible for dropping the bombs not individual citizens who weren't even alive back then. It's like my friend punches you in the face so I apologize for him. It doesn't count.

Like I said, yes we are sorry. I just think it shouldn't be something America has to regret for the rest of their lives.

Your apology is appreciated but that's your apology. And it's not like the Japanese are constantly bringing up the past like China and Korea. Americans visit because they feel bad about it, not because they are asked to.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Americans visit because they feel bad about it

this is quite a statement. any facts to back this up?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

horsefella -

My point in this thread is the Japanese victimhood industry.

When Japanese people want to take foreigners whether they are Americans or not, to Hiroshima/Nagasaki, it is not because they want apology, it is not because they want foreigners to see them as victims - for most Japanese people, Hiroshima and Nagasaki are the symbols of peace and a reminder that this should never happen again. Just like Japanese people are welcomed at the Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, Americans are welcomed in Hiroshima/Nagasaki.

Cortes Elijah

I just think it shouldn't be something America has to regret for the rest of their lives.

The whole world needs to regret and remember this. Hiroshima/Nagasaki are not asking for apology, they welcome anyone from any country and they do not want the world to forget about what happened just like any other wars should not be forgotten.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@toshiko ... Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki people pray for peace. They knew it was war, We never heard they have grudge, Don;t complain as if they hold grudge or accuse them because shikata-ga-nai. Don;t blame them when there is no record of complaining by them or demanding apologize by them. Just leave them respect like Kennedy did. ...

Well spoken Toshiko! It must be remembered that when people lose or see their parents/children/siblings/friends/colleagues suffering, the suffer unbearable emotions which cannot be forgotten. We shouldn't ask the impossible: to forget the pain in their hearts.

In the same way, I hope that Japanese can understand that American troops were all human parents/children/siblings/friends/colleagues, and Truman was personally responsible for minimizing the same unbearable emotions which cannot be forgotten from the time of Pearl Harbor, through to the decision on how to end the war as quickly as possible.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

this is quite a statement. any facts to back this up?

People go to places like these to pay respects to the fallen. Why else would they go. Any decent human being would feel bad for the people who lost their lives regardless of their stance on the bombings. If you don't feel bad for them, why go there?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If you don't feel bad for them, why go there?

to learn. for exposure to different points of view. to feel closer to history and gain a perspective that you might not have had prior. "feeling bad" is in no way a prerequisite for paying repect to the dead or for visiting a memorial.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Let us get back to the article. Ambassador went Nagaqsaki and met people there. Nothing the article said about apology or not. She just went there to visit the famous A-bomb site and even met aged survivors. People in the world usually mention Hiroshima, Hiroshima, but she did not go on that kind of mentality. She went to ignored and forgotten city.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

You'll have to refresh my memory. My point in this thread is the Japanese victimhood industry.

An "industry" in which it produced no official apology and compensation request from the Japanese government to the U.S. government. Before we get into that, did the "industry" request that to the Japanese government?

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

@craigHistory: you wrote "Truman was personally responsible for minimizing the same unbearable emotions which cannot be forgotten from the time of Pearl Harbor, through to the decision on how to end the war as quickly as possible" ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Are you telling that Japanese should express thanks for atomic bombings and Truman? Well, Japanese call Lincioln Daitoruryou, ditto to Washington, Roosevelt, Carter, Bhsh, Clinton,,,, After WW I I, General MacArthur, etc. Japanese gave respect and loved MacArthur by calling General. Truman? No one said Genbaku(A-bomb) sama or Trunman sama in Japan. Maybe you ought to campaign Japanese should thank A-Bombs and Truman to change Japanese respect Truman and A-Bomb. .

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

80393Dec. 11, 2013 - 07:26PM JST "If you don't feel bad for them, why go there?" to learn. for exposure to different points of view. to feel closer to history and gain a perspective that you might not >have had prior. "feeling bad" is in no way a prerequisite for paying repect to the dead or for visiting a memorial.

If a person goes to any place where thousands of innocent lives were lost and feels nothing for those victims, regardless of place or nationality, I would conclude that such a person clearly has something seriously lacking as a human being. A great many Americans as well as visitors from countries all over the world visit both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki memorials as they represent not WWII or "victimhood" but remembrance and a universal hope that humans will never bring this kind of suffering on other humans again.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If a person goes to any place where thousands of innocent lives were lost and feels nothing for those victims, regardless of place or nationality, I would conclude that such a person clearly has something seriously lacking as a human being

ossan- darknuts said, "Americans visit because they feel bad about it". he didnt say people feel bad after or during their visit. cant u see the difference?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So you're saying that, Miss. Kennedy did not officially apologize when she visited the site recently?

An ambassador visiting a memorial is not in itself "apologizing" for the reason that memorial exists. It is merely acknowledging the sacrifice made by the people honored by the memorial.

As far as we know, she did not even UNOFFICIALLY apologize. When any word uttered from an ambassador's mouth is regarded as the view of the ambassador's home country leadership, those words are carefully chosen so as not to indicate a stance that is not in alignment with the home country. She (nor any other ambassador) will not apologize for ANYTHING unless she has been instructed to do so by her President. Ambassadors are carefully choreographed on body language and coached heavily on what their words can do. The days of an Ambassador "calling audibles" went out the window when mass communication meant instant feedback from the home country on any situation.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So you're saying that, Miss. Kennedy did not officially apologize when she visited the site recently?

Let's go the other way. So, you're saying that, Ms. Kennedy did officially apologize when she visited the site recently. How do you know this?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

80393Dec. 12, 2013 - 05:49AM JST "If a person goes to any place where thousands of innocent lives were lost and feels nothing for those victims, regardless of place or nationality, I would conclude that such a person clearly has something seriously lacking as a human being"

ossan- darknuts said, "Americans visit because they feel bad about it". he didnt say people feel bad after or during >their visit. cant u see the difference?

No difference 80393. The only way to go to a place like that without feeling bad to some degree is to go there without knowing where you are going, even a purely objective academic doing research. "Feeling bad" isn't synonymous with "feeling guilty". Unless you are a person who would go there to gloat, people who don't feel bad to some degree wouldn't bother going.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

people who don't feel bad to some degree wouldn't bother going.

im going to go out on a limb and say you dont know the hearts and minds of every person who visits a memorial. if you want to judge those people as "lacking as a human being", thats your preogative. btw, when you quote my posts, please dont include the part where i quoted you. it makes it look like i said something that you actually said and its embarrassing.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Kennedy, escorted by Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue and aging survivors of the bombing nearly seven decades ago, laid a white flower wreath in front of the symbolic Peace Statue. ...................................................................................................................

She could wait next year Summer for memorial day but she just went there like she could not wait any further, Believe me or not, even heartless people will have different feelings after you go to memorial statue areas. They might not confess they have different feelings but I am very very sure they have tender heart on victims and city.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

There was no mention of Dec 7, Pearl Harbor bombing in any of the Japanese media last week. Do Japanese know about the sneak attack? Yet Americans are suppose to feel bad about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How many civilians in China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and the Philippines were killed by Japanese military?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Ossan America. Define "ally". For me that means equal partner. If US servicemen commit crimes in Japan, they are not tried in Japanese courts. Does this define ally to you? At the time America wanted to demonstrate the power of the atom bomb for the Soviet Union, who were themselves inspired to create their own bomb. The only thing that held up Japan from surrendering earlier was the uncertainty over the emperors fate. Who knows what an offer to protect the emperor in some way may have done to avert Hiroshima and Nagasaki? On the question of the atom bombs, I am fully in Japans corner

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

In USA media, there were two specials of Hawaii. One is Hawaiii, another one was Elvis in Hawaiii / There are over 500 channels in our area and only two. I watched Elvis Rating>? Of cause Elvis was way high and Hawaii was very very low. Other channels of Sony Pictures owned reruns and Christmas specials (majority by Sony owned channels) were very high, too. News: Only one liner like Today is a Pearl Harbor Day. It is no wonder Japanese media do not mention if Victim country media do not mention Pearl harbor Day. I guess USA media knows that USA people do not hold grudge against Japanese Kamikaze attack many decades ago, just like Hiroshima and Nagasaki people who just live for peace instead of holding grudge against USA. There is no record that these victims tried to force Americans to feel sorry BTW, Elvis in Hawaii was excellent TV show, better than Elvis Show in Hard Rock in Vegas decades ago. American people, including Kennedy are very sympathetic to victims but they were not forced by any instigators to have such kind heart.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Alberto. One could argue that Japan targeted a legitimate military installation, whereas Hiroshima and Nagasaki were cities. Sure, Pearl Harbour may have seemed a sneak attack, but the fact it was a surprise was a failure of the codebreakers to look at the intelligence reports sitting on their desks. Oh, most of them were taking the weekend off. Blame the failure of US intelligence before you blame Japan (They did make up for it at Midway)

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Blame the failure of US intelligence before you blame Japan

blame the bombed before you blame the bombers? aussie, i have to believe this was a typo, i just have to. you couldnt possibly believe what you wrote.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Cortes Elijah

US has never apologized, Japan never asked an apology. If anything I feel Americans always demand Japan apologize.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Majority of politicians in both countries were born after /A-bombings. That was the result of the war that scared Japanese people. These current politicians are not responsible. I think people can visit these cities if they want, just like people who visti Pyramid. Ambassador Kennedy visited with her heart but anyone can visit there if they want, I believe. War was war. PM Abe's Uncle-inlaw Eiisaku Satoh preached anti A bomb and he received Nobel Peace Prize .

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Ossan America. Define "ally". For me that means equal partner. If US servicemen commit crimes in Japan, they are not tried in Japanese courts. Does this define ally to you?

Huh. completely false. Why do people keep making this argument? It doesn't take much to Google and find out the facts.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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