‘US, Japan May Never Apologize To Each Other For WWII’: Truman’s Grandson

An atomic cloud billows above Hiroshima city following the explosion of the first atomic bomb to be used in warfare in Hiroshima, in this handout photo taken by the U.S. Army on August 6, 1945, and distributed by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

People pray at the moment when an atom bomb exploded over Hiroshima 70 years ago during a commemoration ceremony at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, August 6, 2015.

“In fact, the U.S. and the nuclear nations are improving their aresenals, and the U.S.is rebuilding the nuclear infrastructure”.

Abe laid a wreath at the ceremony attended by US ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy and other officials. Three days later, “Fat Boy” killed around 40,000 more people in Nagasaki, and in the weeks that followed, thousands more died from grotesque injuries that resulted from radiation poisoning.

Prime Minister Abe, who in a speech at the ceremony called for abolishing nuclear weapons, answered his critics by arguing that the legislation was essential to ensure Japan’s safety.

By the end of the year, 140,000, including tens of thousands of Koreans and other non-Japanese, had died because of the bombing and its after-effects.

Approximately 70 per cent of the city’s buildings were destroyed.

Struggling a bit with a left arm that has never straightened out, Sumiteru Taniguchi slowly peeled the undershirt off his frail 86-year-old body to show two visitors his scars from the atomic bomb attack on Nagasaki.

More than 100 countries are in discussion to seize the historic opportunity that exists to outlaw and eliminate nuclear weapons.

Surveys have indicated that a majority of the Japanese public is against the move, which involves a reinterpretation of Japan’s war-renouncing constitution, drafted during US occupation after the war.

In contrast to the Enola Gay US bomber that flew over the site back then, white doves were released into the sky and bells rang out across the area.

“Because nuclear weapons will kill the future generations”, she said.

But Abe has been vague about what he will say and most of the members of a special panel set up to advise him on his statement say that he need not apologize again, the Kyodo news agency reported.

After that, World War II quickly came to an end. At this 70th remembrance, debate should be more vigorous than ever, especially in light of the fact that despite some progress in nuclear disarmament, there recently has been an increased call for the use of low-yield tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield. It comes days before Abe is due to make a statement to mark the anniversary of Japan’s defeat on August 15.