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Japan is asking U.S. President Barack Obama to make an official visit to Hiroshima when he comes to Japan in May for the G-7 summit. Doing so would make him the first sitting U.S. president to visit t

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Japan is asking U.S. President Barack Obama to make an official visit to Hiroshima when he comes to Japan in May for the G-7 summit. Doing so would make him the first sitting U.S. president to visit the city since the atomic bombing in 1945. Do you think Obama should go there?

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I can't say for sure he will visit, but do think it's probable because he's in the last year of his presidency. But of course, he'll get grief from the usual chorus of haters.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Normally I would vote 'yes' if the visit were a matter of promoting peace and forcing America to take a hard look at its past wrongdoings, but I voted 'no' in this case because I worry that the Japanese government under PM Abe aims to manipulate Obama and other world leaders by using their Hiroshima visits to lend credibility to the Japanese government's narrative of historical revisionism where Japan was a hapless, well-intentioned victim and not an aggressor, The narrative is being actively promoted by politicians, educators and special interest groups in Japan, and holds that Japan had good intentions of acting as a liberator throughout Asia, treated those it occupied well, and did not act as an aggressor or commit atrocities during the war.

The Hiroshima Peace Park itself also promotes this Japan as purely a victim narrative by failing to actively denounce politicians and educators who whitewash Japan's history, and instead actively embracing them. As one result, millions of Japanese schoolchildren leave school knowing much about Japanese victims, but little about victims of Japan.

Many of the Japanese officials pushing for an Obama visit want the world to recognize atrocities committed against Japan, while actively denying atrocities committed by Japan. For instance, this is being spearheaded by foreign minister Fumio Kishida. He is or has been a member of the Liberal Democratic Party Committee for Historical Investigation (自民党歴史検討委員会), whose central assertion is that "the 'Greater East Asia War' was not a war of aggression but rather a war to free Asia from Euro-American imperialism." He is or has been a member of the Diet Member Group for Considering Japan’s Future and History Textbooks (日本の前途と歴史教科書を考える議員の会), which actively pushes to get the Nanking Massacre and comfort women dropped from textbooks and argues that there is no evidence that Japanese troops forced Okinawan civilians to commit mass suicide. And he is a member of the Nippon Kaigi (The Japan Conference), which published a book in 2011 titled, "The Military Comfort Women Were Not Forced."

(Further details: http://apjjf.org/-Matthew-Penney/4747/article.html)

22 ( +33 / -11 )

I don't think most Japanese care.

-26 ( +5 / -31 )

It seems that Obama should go there once while being a President of US because he got a Nobel Peace Prize.

-9 ( +8 / -17 )

Absolutely not. Under no circumstances should Obama or any other US president ever visit Hiroshima. Such a visit would be seen in Japan as a sort of American apology for the dropping of the atomic bombs. Already history has been re-written in Japan to make the war look less like Japanese aggression than American aggression. In Japan issues like the "Rape of Nanjing", or comfort women are ignored completely, or downplayed. To many Japanese, the dropping of the atomic bombs is seen as a greater evil than the countless millions killed by Japan during the war. They talk endlessly about the dropping of the bombs, but say almost nothing of the actions of the Japanese army, which was frantically working on weapons of mass destruction to use against America.

Ironically enough, there is a small island off Hiroshima, Okunoshima, which was where Japan secretly developed chemical and biological weapons. Countless Chinese were killed or maimed by these weapons during the war. There is a museum on the island dedicated to those who were killed or injured by the weapons produced there. Many of the chemical and biological agents developed at Okunoshima were sent to the infamous "Unit 731", where they were tested on live prisoners, the notes taken by the Japanese "doctors" who administered these agents can be found if one can stand to read them. If Obama visits the atomic bomb museum in Hiroshima, he must also be sure to visit the poison gas museum on Okunoshima.

And then there is the issue of the other countries in Asia, who would never forgive Obama or America if he decides to visit Hiroshima.

9 ( +26 / -18 )

If Obama visits the atomic bomb museum in Hiroshima, he must also be sure to visit the poison gas museum on Okunoshima.

@sangetsu03

Excellent proposal.

On top of that, if Obama and other G-7 leaders are being encouraged to visit Hiroshima by Japanese government officials under the Abe administration, then PM Abe, those officials and those operating the Hiroshima Peace Museum should also join Obama in an official visit to Okunoshima and/or other similar sites.

There would be a lot of pressure from Japan's nationalists for them not to make the visit, but it would show goodwill and sincerity on their part, and it would help dispel my belief that the Japanese officials have ulterior motives in terms of giving credibility to their victim not aggressor historical whitewashing narrative.

11 ( +17 / -6 )

I do care about Hiroshima and Nagasaki but the thing is that the Obama administration is perceived as pro-South Korea and pro-China, and Japan bully. It is the first US administration that officially criticized Abe's shrine visit. And I don't think it is Japan that's asking US to visit the memorial, it is HIroshima and Nagasaki.

-34 ( +1 / -34 )

I don't think it is Japan that's asking US to visit the memorial, it is HIroshima and Nagasaki.

@tinawatanabe

The Japanese government IS asking for and actively promoting these visits, according to an article yesterday in Japan Today.

“For the purpose of building momentum for realizing a world free of nuclear weapons, it is very important for world leaders to visit an A-bomb site and see firsthand the realities of atomic bombing,” [foreign affairs minister] Kishida told reporters in Hiroshima.

Japanese officials are hoping that the upcoming visit by the G-7 ministers will pave the way for a similar visit by U.S. President Barack Obama

Link: http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/g-7-foreign-ministers-to-visit-a-bomb-memorial-park-in-hiroshima#comment_2173933

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Absolutely NOT!!

As other above have correctly already laid it out, in 7+decades Japan STILL hasn't & WONT admit its atrocities etc & white washes like crazy!!!

And far far too many Japanese are against war because of Hiroshima & Nagasaki + the Tokyo fire bombings......

They are NOT against war because of the 20-30million Japan killed + the rape & pillage across the Far East & SE Asia!! At best these are an after thought, even after 70+ years!!

Obama definitely should NOT go to Hiroshima.

Having said that I wish Japan had done RIGHT the past 70+yrs so Obama COULD visit, this is on Japan!

7 ( +18 / -11 )

If Japan really want wanted to make an anti war statement, they would take a genuine hard look at the atrocities it committed during World War 2 rather than the bombings. Ironically, The bombings were simply a last resort to stop the Japanese war machine and it seems ironic that they showboat it around every year as an example of why Japan should be taken seriously as a peaceful anti-war country. It is disturbing to think that these two events are basically the only things truly resonate with the Japanese population.

7 ( +12 / -6 )

I'm saying no.........because Abe has yet to visit a single location for Japan's WW2 atrocities. Why should Japan get to constantly peedle the "we are victims" agenda. Don't get me wrong, the atoms bombs were terrible and completely unnecessary. However Japan must recognise that millions of other people suffered from its actions. Acknowledegement needs to come first

6 ( +11 / -7 )

If Obama goes and won't say anything about Japan's war crimes, which would then promote Japan's white-washed historical narrative, then shame on him. He should know that Abe just wants to strike political points.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

No, pandora's box politically.

At least half of Abe sans LDP cabinet would fall over themselves making mischief, spinning and provoking all manner of slippery constitutional, party political interpretations.

Inappropriate suggestion that reeks of opportunism.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

I love these threads. Now, where did I put my atrocity scorecard?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

I think the people criticizing Japan are 3 bullies: Americans and South Koreans and Chinese, who think their countries did nothing wrong, such hypocrits.

-21 ( +6 / -26 )

Only if Japan admits to all WWII wrong doing, makes another shrine to not include the Class A war crime shrine, stops playing victim, accepts the statue in South Korea, and has the Emperor and Abe personally commemorate it. Until then, any president or leader of any country should pass

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Normally I would vote 'yes' if the visit were a matter of promoting peace and forcing America to take a hard look at its past wrongdoings, but I voted 'no' in this case because I worry that the Japanese government under PM Abe aims to manipulate Obama and other world leaders by using their Hiroshima visits to lend credibility to the Japanese government's narrative of historical revisionism

Well stated by Sensato. This is why I also voted, No.

-3 ( +5 / -9 )

I think the people criticizing Japan are 3 bullies: Americans and South Koreans and Chinese, who think their countries did nothing wrong, such hypocrits.

I'm none of the above.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

No.

If Obama did go, then an apology would probably be expected for Truman's decision to use the A-Bomb. This would be sticky territory if Obama were to go to Hiroshima and give an apologetic speech for something a former president had decided to do during WWII.

It would be like Abe going to Pearl Harbor to apologize to the American people for the sneak attack there or visiting areas of China and Korea (and other nations) which experienced atrocities at the hands of the Japanese army. Has a sitting Japanese PM ever done such a thing? I'm not aware of this ever happening.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Leave it alone! many events happen in a different time and a different era. What could it be like today if history was different. Like Japan could be filled volka drinking Communist with Korea has our territory Masters ?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Of all US presidents since 1945, Obama would be the most appropriate to make this visit due to his personal history, his policies, and his eloquence. If he does, I imagine he would pointedly not apologize as it would be unnecessary and unhelpful in multiple ways. Simply bearing witness and speaking of the horrors of war would be sufficient.

Also, it would finally get people to shut up about why no American president has ever visited Hiroshima. They'd have to find something else to complain about.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

If he does, I imagine he would pointedly not apologize as it would be unnecessary and unhelpful in multiple ways. Simply bearing witness and speaking of the horrors of war would be sufficient.

Nope, not until Japan admits the horrors they inflicted on others before Hiroshima

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Also, it would finally get people to shut up about why no American president has ever visited Hiroshima. They'd have to find something else to complain about.

Japan never complained US President never visited the memorial. .

-20 ( +3 / -22 )

As already said, no need for Obama to visit Hiroshima because Japanese leaders do not visit Nanjing and other places.

6 ( +9 / -4 )

Japan never complained US President never visited the memorial. .

The US has never complained that Mr Abe has never visited Pearl Harbour. Have they?

2 ( +8 / -6 )

I don't think it would make that much of a difference. The guy is pretty much irrelevant at this point, but symbolically, sure, why not?

-15 ( +3 / -18 )

He can go to Hiroshima, but not visit the museum. That would be a nice snub.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

He should not, but he probably will, never missing a chance for a diplomatic blunder.

-9 ( +3 / -13 )

Don't go if you don't want to. Japan will never fulfil its dream of nuke-free world anyway, so I didn't vote yes myself.

We have bigger problem to be worried about. To prevent the nuke in NK or China from going to the wrong hands like terrorists. But it seems that US is concerned about the plutonium in Japan as if to invite China to attack Japan. What is Obama thinking?

.

-23 ( +1 / -23 )

I would like it better if he went to the hypocenter, Peace Park or Atomic Bomb Museum in Nagasaki. For anyone that has visited its obvious that the emphasis is never about the "Bad Americans" nor the "Poor japanese" victims of the bomb but as an atrocity that humans did to humans and that the most important thing to bring back from the visit is that Nagasaki should be the last city ever to be subjected to an atomic bomb. That fits completely with Obama's purpose of Nuclear disarmament.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I think he will go to the site that generates the biggest publicity, hope it will be Nagasaki Peace Park ( the statue was build close by in Tokyo, we still got the Master and his Studio preserved).

As an outgoing president he has to appease no-one.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

This is a first that I hope no POTUS should ever take. It will be the worst betrayal to all the fallen of the US and Allies. In an interview on TV ( cnn ? ) I remember vividly Paul Tibbets vehemently opposing such a move. I CONCUR .

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Yes. Renew the Japan American relation and promote the Tomodachi initiative to help their English and Japanese language related focus.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Yes, absolutely.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

First Japan should admit it started the Pacific War of WW2 and that the Japanese govt of that time brought on the tragedy of Hiroshima and out that statement of admission of guilt in the memorial and museum to tell the world the truth. If it does so, in public, then yes Obama should go. If modern Japan refuses to admit it brought on the bombing, then O should tell A to stuff it.

4 ( +10 / -5 )

Danny.

Didn't the USA start it by implementing a sea blockade to starve Japan of resources, not to mention the 'Flying Tigers' who all 'volunteered', we all now what that means in military terms.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

@It''S ME

Let's not pretend that Japan was just sitting pretty in the pacific, minding it's own business when evil America came about to impose sanctions on them and drag them kicking and screaming into WWII. There were more than enough reasons for the US oil embargo on Japan.

9 ( +10 / -3 )

I am just posting well known facts.

I guess besides the Pilots, their P40 Warhawks(USA property) and crew also volunteered. the P-40 was not in Chinese service.

The USA supported both theaters way before the openly entered WWII.

Proof to the opposite is welcome from reputable sources.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Didn't the USA start it by implementing a sea blockade to starve Japan of resources, not to mention the 'Flying Tigers' who all 'volunteered', we all now what that means in military terms.

The US did back Japan into a corner with the embargo, but they didn't do it on a whim. I used to be sympathetic to Japan's point of view. But having seen the ugly face of right-wing nationalism, which has hidden behind the "victim" card, I can say that most of the tragedy that befell Japan they brought on themselves. Obama should not go to Hiroshima or Nagasaki, unless Abe goes to Nanking first

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Christopher.

Not a question of who did worse but a question of historical accuracy.

Ditto with the Nukes they were a demoto Russia and never designed to save American lives nor force Japan to surrender, the USA only had those 2 Nukes and were months away from producing another one.

Japan's surrender and Germans were clear in 1940 the USA entering the war just shortened it by 2-3 years.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

"Japan's surrender and Germans were clear in 1940"

Clear to whom?

10 ( +10 / -1 )

Sure! Why not? War dead are war dead regardless of how they died. Should he avoid Tokyo because of all those who died in the firebombing? You can pay your respects without turning it into a huge international incident - and yes I don't see the issue with Japanese leaders visiting the Yasukuni Shrine either. I'd feel better if they scrapped that museum they operate or at least moved it somewhere else, but visiting the shrine to pay your respects shouldn't be a huge political issue.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

He's already so cheapened the office of POTUS (apology tours, doing "The Wave" at baseball games with communist dictators, bowing low to heads of state, including Japan's emperor, etc.) why not go to Hiroshima while he's over there. It will give him the chance to disrespect the memory of fellow democrat Harry S. Truman. . . .

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

https://youtu.be/MDaiQ9n5wEM

Theodore Van Kirk (T.V. Kirk) The last of the Enola Gay crew (Died July 28, 2014) quoting somebody else in this interview "......the Japanese should apologize to us (the US ) for MAKING us drop the atomic bomb .."

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Unlike many places in the world where memories of ancient conflicts still are a driving force in war, the USA and Japan have moved on from hated enemies to friendly countries. Many of the comments continue to try to keep the hatred alive while others demonstrate that history cannot be changed. It is what it is. Anyone who visits the Pearl Harbor Memorial will immediately see that there are hundreds of Japanese as well as other nationalities that were involved in various wars or "policing actions" with the USA. President Obama and his family need to visit both cities.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Yes, I think Obama should go there. Yes, a very political message. Obama should do that after the Emperor of Japan & Prime Minister visits the Arizona Memorial. That happened before the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima and set up the events that lead to the atomic bomb. See the start and the end! Also, the Emperor of Japan & Prime Minister should visit sites of the Bataan Death March. Did you forget about that? Don't forget about Nanjing (1937) and Unit 731 (China Biological testing and warfare). Does Japan Today have the courage to keep this?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Yes. Regardless of his job, I think every tourist in Japan should visit.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

@It"S ME

Not a question of who did worse but a question of historical accuracy.

If you compare what Japan did to what others did at that time (even compared to Nazis), then "who did worse" is a huge factor. But if the basis of your argument is "who started the war first should be the one to make a visit to a memorial", then Japan should first visit Nanking, Unit 731, Comfort Women, Bataan Deathmarch, Burma-Siam Railway, and many other memorials across Asia since Japan started wars by literally invading those countries way before the US embargo on Japan. Then Abe visits Pearl Harbor before Obama visits Hiroshima. Fair? Oh wait, I forgot, Japan's innocent in all of this. My bad.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

tinawatanabe: "I think the people criticizing Japan are 3 bullies: Americans and South Koreans and Chinese, who think their countries did nothing wrong. Such hypocrites."

First, they are only "bullies" because you feel like Japan is the victim. You seem to forget it was Japan that committed atrocities against the latter two nations you list in particular, and started the war with the first through Pearl Harbor (something many right-wingers ALSO claim was 'not our fault'). Second, how could they be hypocrites, even if you think they are 'bullies', when YOU think JAPAN did nothing wrong to begin with? Do you therefore admit Japan committed atrocities in and before WWII, tina? You've never answered the question before, but if you feel the other nations are being hypocrites you must therefore agree Japan has done wrong. Well done!

"I don't think most Japanese care."

And how many posts for you on this thread so far?

No, Obama should not visit. Not yet. If Japan grows up and admits its atrocities, and truly apologises for the massacres and for sex slaves, etc., THEN US politicians should go visit, and perhaps even someday apologise for the bombings (I would like to see it, because they were atrocities as well). For now, though, it would be used by right-wingers only as propaganda that Japan was the victim of the war and not an aggressor, so, again, no.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

It's all a matter of context. That's the reason why there are such sharply differing opinions here, of course.

If this is seen as somehow validating Japan and its actions during the first half of the twentieth century then he should certainly avoid visiting these sites. All that would do is to inflame the current situation.

If this is seen as an apology for past misdeeds, then I'd be in favour if the same actions could then be followed by the various heads of states that were similarly in the wrong. The apologies have to start somewhere, always considering that such apologies would be accepted by all parties concerned.

If this is seen as another step on the road to removing the atrocities that are nuclear weapons from this world, then I'm all for it. It would only likely be a token gesture though, so I'm not sure if it would do much good but then any gesture in that direction is better than none.

The trouble in all three cases is that you can never untangle them from each other and hard liners, political opportunists and others will always seek to read their own agenda into whatever action is taken, whether Obama visits Hiroshima or not. It therefore all descends into the same old argument that we always have about Japan, China, Korea and so forth.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

We can keep picking at the scabs, or we can move on and give them a chance to heal. Such a move by Obama would almost certainly result in a reciprocal visit to Pearl Harbor by the japanese prime minister to apologize for the sneak attack. Once Japanese see the benefits of unburdening themselves, the goodwill might even spread to other countries in the region.

I remember the moving photo of Germany's Kohl and France's Mitterand, gripping each other's hands as they bowed before the monument to the hundreds and hundreds of thousands of men who died at Verdun. As the late John Lennon crooned, "Give peace a chance."

1 ( +4 / -3 )

It"S MEAPR. 04, 2016 - 09:54PM JST Not a question of who did worse but a question of historical accuracy.

The salient bit of history you seem to be forgetting or ignoring is that by the time the U.S. embargo was felt in Japan, the Imperial Army was occupying most of Manchuria, much of coastal China, much of Indochina and dozens of Pacific Islands. The Japanese were already at war.

Japan's surrender and Germans were clear in 1940 the USA entering the war just shortened it by 2-3 years.

Really now? Everyone knew that Europe and Asia could be liberated by 1940, in spite of the fact that the U.S. had not yet entered the war and wasn't even leaning that direction in 1940? What nonsense. In fact, had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbor and Germany not invaded the Soviet Union, in all likelihood the war would have lasted a decade longer as neither of the aggressors would have been fighting multi-front wars. The allies weren't even sure that the Normandy Invasion would succeed in 1944.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

All readers back on topic please. Please answer the question that the poll is asking.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

He can go, and give a speech around the theme of "You started it, and we finished it...big time."

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Since he was asked...I think it would be rude to not accept the invitation.

If it was a year or two ago and he asked to visit the shrine.....I think it would have meant so much more. Even though it was so long ago.... It seems rather hollow when someone has to ask you to visit.

As long as the Japanese are not offended....I think a President should visit now and then so that they can be reminded of just who suffers the most in war......innocent people.

It would not offend me if Abe or someone from the Royal family visited Pearl Harbor. We are suppose to allies are we not, I have no grudge against the people of todays society for something that happened several generations ago.

Are we all guilty for the "Sins of our Fathers".....I think not.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

the only reason obama would go is for his legacy.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

It's quaint how you people see 'legacy' as a bad word.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Increase the Peace!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

He should not go there because of the obvious reason, whatever the hell that is.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

He can go, and give a speech around the theme of "You started it, and we finished it...big time."

US didn't become the world hegemony by chance or by being a nice guy..It takes a long planning and intention. There is military industry complex in your country since before the war.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

is Abe going to S korea to apologize to the comfort women? No? well then MY answer also is NO

1 ( +5 / -4 )

cracaphatAPR. 06, 2016 - 03:14PM JST Hell NO!! Two times.Obama going to Cuba was more than enough.The onus should not be on him to go,for the obvious reason.

Ya! Look at all those weakling presidents did for fifty years dealing directly with the Soviet Union during the Cold War and that bleeding heart liberal Nixon GOING to China to meet Mao!

Aly RustomAPR. 06, 2016 - 11:51PM JST is Abe going to S korea to apologize to the comfort women? No? well then MY answer also is NO

There is no tit-for-tat in international relations. Visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park out of respect to the mostly civilians killed by the bombing is a thoughtful gesture unto itself that needs no political justification.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Americans keep bullying Japan because it is the last war they won, the last glory. It seems that the history stopped 7 decades ago for them and ignore what Japan has done for the world since then. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are only asking to come. Why do you have to bully Japan everyday.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

He can go, and give a speech around the theme of "You started it, and we finished it...big time."

Heh. . . . now that's the spirit. Admiral Yamamoto (who was educated in America) warned the imperial war mongers not to attack Pearl.

But knowing this clown, he just might go there. He's already bow downed to Putin, Cuba, refugees and the mullahs. He might as well bend over for the few remaining hibakusha to add to his legacy-

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Wc, Pearl Harbar attack was Yamamoto's idea. Everybody opposed it but Yamamoto threatened to quit his post. He was a selfish guy although he was Harvard educated.

Obama should not go considering the negative comments in this thread.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Should Obama go?

That really depends on what he would say and do there while there.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

That really depends on what he would say and do there while there.

A paradox. Based on what you just posted - he shouldn't go.

Wc, Pearl Harbar attack was Yamamoto's idea. Everybody opposed it but Yamamoto threatened to quit his post. He was a selfish guy although he was Harvard educated.

Are you sure Tina? I thought Yamamoto initially discouraged the attack, but at some point threatened to quit if it wasn't planned his way. If I'm wrong, I stand corrected. My bad-

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There is no tit-for-tat in international relations. Visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park out of respect to the mostly civilians killed by the bombing is a thoughtful gesture unto itself that needs no political justification.

absolutely. agree100%, but it should also be reciprocal from the country asking.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

but it should also be reciprocal

Do you mean the Japanese will reciprocate by visiting Nanking? Or even better, the An Jung-geun memorial in SK? (NOT!!) Let's not mention how much Japanese politicians despise the comfort women statues.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

A paradox. Based on what you just posted - he shouldn't go.

Based on Obama's bowing to the "Emperor" -- he shouldn't go.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

yes if he goes there to pay respect to the war dead, No if Japanese expect him to make an apology, no apology required whatsoever!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

tinawatanabe: what nationality was Yamato? I'm not surprised you claim Japan was the victim of Pearl Harbor.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Absolutely NOT! Where does Japan get off claiming victim status in a war that THEY STARTED, THEY VICIOUSLY AND WITHOUT REMORSE KILLED hundreds of thousands if not MILLIONS of innocent civilians and yet every summer the Japanese portray themselves as VICTIMS of the atomic bombing. These events DID NOT happen in a vacuum. A quick read of history tells us that the military/political rulers of Japan at that time had NO INTENTION of surrendering to stop the war. As terrible as the Atomic bombs were, they saved the lives of tens of thousands of American G.I.s an probably millions of Japanese. But I'm sure OBAMA will go. He loves nothing better than embarrassing The United States of America. BTW.... When will Japan's prime ministers visit Nanjin or other sites of Japanese atrocities that pale in comparison to two bombs. Who thinks that premeditated torture, executions, and medical experiments on prisoners carried out for years is morally equal to atomic attack? And why is nuclear death more atrocious than being burnt alive in other non-nuclear bombings??

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Or even better, the An Jung-geun memorial in SK? (NOT!!) Let's not mention how much Japanese politicians despise the comfort women statues.

Which is why I said to the United States president should not visit 裕 Morneau to suck you until the Japanese pay their respects to the people they wrong as well.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If so, Obama should give a succinct speech -- broadcast live in NHK -- explaining how the bombs effectively and quickly ended the bloodiest war in history, saving so many lives that would have been lost in a full scale land invasion.

He could also mention how Japan chose to ignore the Potsdam declaration in JUly 1945 calling for Japan to put down its weapons, and how the emperor in his surrender speech points directly to the bombs as the reason for Japan to make its final decision to end the war.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Obama's apologized to so many other people - should the Japanese be left out just because they're not Muslims?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

The only problem with JeffLee's idea is that it isnt true.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

US didn't become the world hegemony by chance or by being a nice guy..It takes a long planning and intention. There is military industry complex in your country since before the war.

Actually, the U.S. military complex had pretty much been disassembled after WWI. After all, that was supposed to be "the war to end all wars", remember? By 1941 the American military was woefully outdated and our military industry was fading out. I suppose we have the Japanese to thank for completely reviving our military industrial capability in only two year's time. THANK YOU JAPAN!

Americans keep bullying Japan because it is the last war they won, the last glory.

How quickly people choose to forget:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Since he lived in Hawaii, not that far from Pearl Harbor, do you think you want to open this door? Of course, even Hawaiian Japanese hated the Japanese for Pearl Harbor. I know that for a fact. Obama is such an opportunist he will play all sides. Even though many American blacks former servicemen are alive and will feel that he is betraying them.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"The only problem with JeffLee's idea is that it isnt true."

Read the transcript of the emperor's surrender speech.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Absolutely not. It would just be a mass victim fest for the japanese. The japanese started the war, butchered millions and with the nuclear bombs, they got just what they deserved. Let's see abe at Nanking first apologizing and bowing deeply.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Not yet.... we need a more significant event where Japan and the USA have first shown mutual sacrifice and trust together before a meaningful visit could be made.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Obama went over to Cuba to make a good appearance and that backfired on him. The US is tired of liberals who think everyone loves them. The Border Patrol UNION in the US is endorsing TRUMP - a conservative, not liberals. Liberals want to live in a safe environment, but can't stand up and be mature. (Which can mean being disliked.) They play it safe as possible and in all wars they run for the borders (to Canada) or try to get a 4-F or "conscientious objector" status as SUDDENLY they feel so peaceful. Obama was never in the US military even though Hawaii offered him many opportunities to join.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Tina,

the Obama administration is perceived as pro-South Korea and pro-China

Only by a small portion of paranoid right wing Japanese. The rest of the world can see that Obama's policy in Asia is all about containing China and is clearly not "pro-China".

It is the first US administration that officially criticized Abe's shrine visit

It is the only US administration that existed when Abe visited the shrine, so obviously it was the first!

If I was Obama, I'd visit Hiroshima. I'd also suggest to Abe that he could make a similar visit to Nanjing.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

yes, he should go to Hiroshima, kneel down and bow as a sign of apology for his nation's war crime against humanity.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

The decision by Truman to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki brought the war in the Pacific to an abrupt end and made a full-scale invasion of the Japanese mainland unnecessary.

Many lives on both sides were saved, I believe, and far in excess of the death tolls in those cities from the A-bombs.

Also, the Soviet Union was prevented from taking over some part of mainland Japan in the process, and only has some of the Kurile Islands at present.

The resulting occupation of Japan, and the return of sovereignty to the Japanese people in 1952, was largely controlled by the U.S. and has been mostly beneficial for the Japanese over the years.

So if Obama wants to visit Hiroshima and make any sort of statement about what happened on August 6, 1945, he should do it after he leaves the presidency.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

yes, he should go to Hiroshima, kneel down and bow as a sign of apology for his nation's war crime against humanity.

No american should "bow down." What's been done, has been done. Japan should've surrendered. Simple as that.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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