Latest news with #JapanConfederationofA-andH-BombSufferersOrganizations
Asahi Shimbun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Trump angers A-bombed cities by comparing them to attack on Iran
Terumi Tanaka, who represents Nihon Hidankyo (the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, speaks to high school students in Sapporo on May 24. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) Hibakusha and local officials are outraged that U.S. President Donald Trump likened the recent U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities to the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Terumi Tanaka, who represents Nihon Hidankyo (the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations), called Trump's remarks 'out of line.' 'Nothing has changed 80 years after the war,' Tanaka said, referring to how the U.S. flaunts its military power without looking at 'what happened under the mushroom cloud.' Trump made the remarks on June 25 while fielding questions from reporters during his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in the Hague, Netherlands. Regarding the 'cease-fire agreement' reached between Iran and Israel after an armed conflict over nuclear development, Trump touted the results of the U.S. bombing attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump stated his belief that the U.S. military intervention directly led to ending the war between Iran and Israel. 'That hit ended the war," he said. "I don't want to use an example of Hiroshima. I don't want to use an example of Nagasaki. But that was essentially the same thing. That ended that war. This ended (this) war.' Officials of Hiroshima and Nagasaki immediately reacted to the remarks. The Hiroshima city assembly on June 26 unanimously passed a resolution stating, 'As the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima, we must never overlook or tolerate statements that justify the dropping of the atomic bombs or situations that threaten civil liberties.' The resolution also referred to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, urging 'a peaceful resolution of all armed conflicts from a humanitarian standpoint.' Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki told reporters that he was not aware of the exact purpose of Trump's remarks, but added, 'If the remarks were to justify the dropping of the atomic bombs, it would be extremely regrettable as an atomic-bombed city.' Hibakusha are angered that Trump's comparison seems to glorify achieving peace through the use of force. Near the end of World War II, U.S. President Harry S. Truman justified the dropping of the atomic bombs to save the lives of many American soldiers. However, some 210,000 people died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and those who survived continue to suffer from atomic bomb disease. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo in October 2024, citing the weakening of the 'nuclear taboo.' Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Israel's invasion of Gaza, Tanaka worries that if the situations continue to escalate, the end result will be the use of nuclear weapons. 'This is why we have no choice but to abolish nuclear weapons,' he said emphatically. (This article was compiled from reports written by Yosuke Watanabe, Jin Hirakawa, Hayashi Yanagawa, Takashi Ogawa, and correspondent Kayoko Geji.)
Asahi Shimbun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Ceremony marks 80 years since end of Battle of Okinawa
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, right, and Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki arrive in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, on June 23 to attend a ceremony memorializing the victims of the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. (Hiyori Uchiumi) ITOMAN, Okinawa Prefecture—A solemn memorial service was held here on June 23 honoring the victims of the Battle of Okinawa, which ended here 80 years ago during the final stages of World War II. Held at the Peace Memorial Park, the ceremony was attended by Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki, who delivered a peace declaration, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The peace poem featured this year was read by Ibuki Shiroma, a sixth-grader from the neighboring city of Tomigusuku. His poem, titled 'Grandma's Song,' reflects on the sorrow behind a song his grandmother sings. Written after the war in the style of local folk music, the song portrays survivors of the Battle of Okinawa as 'leftovers from naval shelling,' highlighting the devastating U.S. assault that claimed the lives of one in every four residents of the prefecture. 'Leftover or whatever, I am truly glad you survived, however,' the poem went, drawing heartfelt applause from the audience. Tamaki reiterated the ongoing heavy burden Okinawa bears due to the concentration of U.S. military bases on the island. He also pledged to create an international peace research organization based in Okinawa, emphasizing the prefecture's vital role in promoting global peace. The ceremony was also graced by distinguished guests, including Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. undersecretary general for disarmament affairs; and Shigemitsu Tanaka, co-chairperson of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), which received the Nobel Peace Prize last year. The Battle of Okinawa, fought over three months in 1945, resulted in the deaths of more than 200,000 people from both the Japanese and U.S. sides, including tens of thousands of civilians.
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Okinawa marks 80th anniversary of end of WWII ground battle
A man prays at a cenotaph at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, on Monday, the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. Okinawa on Monday vowed to preserve and pass on the lessons of history in a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end of a fierce World War II ground battle between Japan and the United States that took over 200,000 military and civilian lives. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Okinawa Gov Denny Tamaki attended a service at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, where the final stage of the battle was fought. Another 342 names were added to the list of war dead inscribed on monuments, bringing the total to 242,567 people. At the event, Tamaki said the reality of the battle and its lessons "have been preserved from the stories of war survivors" and form the "roots of the people of Okinawa and our enduring desire for peace." He told the ceremony it is "our mission as those living in the present to preserve and pass on" the significance of the battle to future generations "as the spirit of Okinawa." Speaking amid heightened concerns over conflicts worldwide, Ishiba said "it is the nation's vital responsibility to squarely face the folly and tragedy of war, and to do its utmost for a peaceful and prosperous Okinawa." The Battle of Okinawa from March through June 1945 in the Japanese southern island prefecture took a heavy toll on the local population, with one in four residents killed. After Japan's defeat, Okinawa was under U.S. administration until 1972 and continues to host the bulk of U.S. forces in Japan. Referring to the long-running local discontent, Tamaki said the prefecture "continues to shoulder an outsized burden for U.S. bases." Anti-base sentiment runs deep due to noise, pollution and crimes committed by American service members, with a series of alleged sexual assault cases revealed recently fueling anger among local residents. Ishiba pledged in his speech at the ceremony to "visibly reduce the burden of U.S. bases on Okinawa," calling it his "deep-held resolve." Other attendees included Shigemitsu Tanaka, a representative of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024, and Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. undersecretary general and high representative for disarmament affairs. Before the ceremony, those who experienced the war and their relatives paid their respects at the Itoman park's Cornerstone of Peace. Sitting in a wheelchair, Asako Idogawa, 89, repeatedly traced the inscription of the name of her older brother, who was burned by a U.S. flamethrower. "Perhaps I won't be able to come next year," she said, adding that "war is cruel." Japan has been strengthening its defense capabilities in the prefecture in recent years as tensions grow with China over Taiwan and the nearby Senkaku Islands, a group of uninhabited islets controlled by Tokyo and claimed by Beijing, which calls them Diaoyu. The move has raised concern among Okinawans that their islands could again become the front line of conflict. © KYODO
Kyodo News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Kyodo News
Okinawa vows to preserve lessons on 80th anniv. of WWII battle end
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 14:27 | All, Japan, World Okinawa on Monday vowed to preserve and pass on the lessons of history in a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end of a fierce World War II ground battle between Japan and the United States that took over 200,000 military and civilian lives. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki attended a service at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, where the final stage of the battle was fought. Another 342 names were added to the list of war dead inscribed on monuments, bringing the total to 242,567 people. At the event, Tamaki said the reality of the battle and its lessons "have been preserved from the stories of war survivors" and form the "roots of the people of Okinawa and our enduring desire for peace." He told the ceremony it is "our mission as those living in the present to preserve and pass on" the significance of the battle to future generations "as the spirit of Okinawa." Speaking amid heightened concerns over conflicts worldwide, Ishiba said "it is the nation's vital responsibility to squarely face the folly and tragedy of war, and to do its utmost for a peaceful and prosperous Okinawa." The Battle of Okinawa from March through June 1945 in the Japanese southern island prefecture took a heavy toll on the local population, with one in four residents killed. After Japan's defeat, Okinawa was under U.S. administration until 1972 and continues to host the bulk of U.S. forces in Japan. Referring to the long-running local discontent, Tamaki said the prefecture "continues to shoulder an outsized burden for U.S. bases." Anti-base sentiment runs deep due to noise, pollution and crimes committed by American service members, with a series of alleged sexual assault cases revealed recently fueling anger among local residents. Ishiba pledged in his speech at the ceremony to "visibly reduce the burden of U.S. bases on Okinawa," calling it his "deep-held resolve." Other attendees included Shigemitsu Tanaka, a representative of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024, and Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. undersecretary general and high representative for disarmament affairs. Before the ceremony, those who experienced the war and their relatives paid their respects at the Itoman park's Cornerstone of Peace. Sitting in a wheelchair, Asako Idogawa, 89, repeatedly traced the inscription of the name of her older brother, who was burned by a U.S. flamethrower. "Perhaps I won't be able to come next year," she said, adding that "war is cruel." Japan has been strengthening its defense capabilities in the prefecture in recent years as tensions grow with China over Taiwan and the nearby Senkaku Islands, a group of uninhabited islets controlled by Tokyo and claimed by Beijing, which calls them Diaoyu. The move has raised concern among Okinawans that their islands could again become the front line of conflict. Related coverage: U.S. asked Japan to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP Japan imperial couple visit Hiroshima A-bomb survivors nursing home
The Mainichi
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Mainichi
Chief organizer of Nobel Prize A-bomb survivors group steps down
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Sueichi Kido, 85, officially stepped down as secretary general of Japan's Nobel Peace Prize-winning atomic bomb survivors group Nihon Hidankyo at its annual meeting on Thursday due to ill health. Kido was 5 years old when he was exposed to the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in the final days of World War II. In 2017, he assumed the post that effectively leads the group's efforts to abolish nuclear arms and was among the delegation that accepted the Nobel Prize in Oslo in December. He said in May that he intended to vacate the secretary general position, citing health reasons. He will continue to serve as an adviser to the organization, also known as the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. Jiro Hamasumi was selected as new secretary general at Thursday's meeting in Tokyo. A 79-year-old in-utero atomic bomb survivor, his mother, who was pregnant with him, was exposed to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. Hamasumi was the group's deputy secretary general from 2015 and had been acting on Kido's behalf since October. In March, he spoke at the third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
