During his visit to Hiroshima on Sunday Barack Obama said he would emphasize friendly ties between former enemies. White House officials said Obama will use the visit to highlight his commitment to a world without nuclear weapons and to honor the memory of all innocents who were lost during the war.
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Most Americans feel that the bombings were essential to end the war and “save” US although most historians slam that view.
Tens of thousands were killed by the fireball that the powerful Hiroshima blast generated, with many more succumbing to injuries or illnesses caused by radiation in the weeks, months and years afterward.
Obama on Monday told Japanese broadcast NHK in an interview that he will not apologise for the U.S. atomic-bombings on the two cities during World War II in 1945.
“As survivors of Imperial Japan’s horrendous treatment and disregard for human decency, we want you to acknowledge who was responsible for starting World War II in the Pacific and why it was fought”, said a letter signed by former POWs at the news conference and addressed to the president.
“… Both sides worked hard to shift the focus to a forward-looking agenda that has resonance worldwide”. “That is happening today in many parts of the world”.
In a weekend poll by another broadcaster, Nippon TV, about 50 percent of respondents said they don’t think an apology is necessary, while about 30 percent said they do.
However, a White House official said no invitation had been extended.
The Abe administration has affirmed past government apologies but asserts that future generations should not have to apologise for the wartime sins of their forebears.
Critics argue that by not apologising, Obama will allow Japan to stick to the narrative that paints it as a victim.
But critics note Obama has made scant progress towards nuclear disarmament and is spending heavily to modernise the US atomic arsenal.
A 32-year-old U.S. civilian working at the Kadena air base on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of dumping the body of a 20-year-old woman.
After being captured, Crowley was taken to Japan and forced to work at the Ashio copper mine in Tochigi Prefecture, just north of Tokyo. They will lay a wreath, and Obama will make a statement.
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Some thought it best that Japan not seek an apology for fear it would be an obstacle to Obama making the trip to Hiroshima, Kyodo said.
