Prime Minister Abe mourned the souls lost in Hiroshima earlier today, but in the days ahead, he faces a hard task, to acknowledge the lessons of history and reposition his country amid the enduring mistrust of his neighbors. And one full of reminders – some delivered politely, some pointedly – of the most extreme dangers of modern warfare.
Advertisement
HUNDREDS of origami cranes have adorned the entrance to Ipswich Library to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945.
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 is thought the images found their way from Japan to Scotland after Scottish RAF pilot Clifford Fern purchased a second hand camera in Iwakuni – 15 miles outside Hiroshima – just six months after the bombings. Following Japan’s refusal to surrender, the US dropped another bomb on Nagasaki, killing 39,000 and injuring 25,000 more.
The United States began funding an atomic weapons development program in response to concerns from a group of American scientists, many of whom were refugees from fascist regimes in Europe, over nuclear weapons research being conducted in Nazi Germany.
The latter site memorializes the events and devastation surrounding the second atomic bomb dropped on that Japanese city three days after the Hiroshima bombing.
At least 70,000 people died when a U.S. B-29 bomber dropped a uranium bomb on the Japanese city.
300,000: Total death toll to date, including those who have died from radiation-related cancers.
“Paul always said, ‘I had a job to do and I did it, ‘” Motts said.
Tibbets said it is an honor and privilege to command the unit that his grandfather organized almost 71 years ago and led during World War II.
The ceremony was held in the city’s peace park in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome, the only building near the hypocenter that is still standing.
In the decades since, Japan has forged a new self-narrative as victim, as well as expansionist aggressor that was the cause of the Pacific War.
Advertisement
The sea of people who attended the ceremony included US ambassador Caroline Kennedy and representatives from more than 100 countries, including Britain, France and Russian Federation.
