Japan marks anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bomb

[Sunflare]

Japan marks anniversary of Hiroshima atomic bomb
Tue Aug 5, 2008 10:51pm EDT
Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20080806&t=2&i=5450211&w=&r=2008-08-06T025107Z_01_T271295_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE0
People crowd before the cenotaph to pray for the victims of the the U.S. 1945 atomic bombing, at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima August 6, 2008, on the 63nd anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing on the city.

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Doves fly over the Peace Memorial Park at a ceremony in Hiroshima August 6, 2008, on the 63nd anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing on the city.

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A woman prays for the victims of the U.S. 1945 atomic bombing, in the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima August 6, 2008, on the 63nd anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing on the city.

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Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda offers a wreath before the cenotaph for the atomic bomb victims at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima August 6, 2008, on the 63nd anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing on the city.

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A family burns incense sticks before praying for the victims of the the U.S. 1945 atomic bombing, in the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima August 6, 2008, on the 63rd anniversary of the world's first atomic bombing on the city


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tens of thousands bowed their heads at a ceremony in the Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday, the 63rd anniversary of the world's first atomic attack, as the city's mayor hit out at countries that refuse to abandon their bombs.

A bell tolled at 8:15 a.m. to mark the exact moment when the bomb dubbed "Little Boy" was dropped on the city, killing tens of thousands immediately and many more later from radiation sickness.

"We who seek the abolition of nuclear weapons are the majority," mayor Tadatoshi Akiba said in a speech at the Peace Memorial Park, attended by the ambassador of nuclear-armed China, as well as Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and elderly survivors of the attack.

"Last year 170 countries voted in favor of Japan's U.N. resolution calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Only three countries, the United States among them, opposed this resolution," he said.

The United States and other world powers fear Iran is developing nuclear weapons, while Tehran says its atomic program is for power generation. Washington and others have warned of more sanctions against Tehran, which they accuse of playing for time in the dispute.

The mayor of Hiroshima also vowed to do more to help survivors still suffering the physical and mental after-effects of the 1945 attack by the United States in the final days of World War Two, which was followed a few days later by a nuclear attack on the southern Japanese city of Nagasaki.

The average age of survivors is over 75 and Akiba said he would launch a survey into the emotional damage they suffered.

Fukuda echoed some of Akiba's sentiments, saying he wanted to take a lead in the campaign against nuclear weapons and try to help as many as possible of those dealing with poor health after being exposed to radiation.

"We must not repeat such a sad event," one mother attending the ceremony told broadcaster NHK. "We need to pass that message on to our children's generation."

(Reporting by Isabel Reynolds; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

For complete article click here (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUST27129520080806).

Comments ?

[Banana]

While I feel for the victims and the necessity of the bombings are debatable, I do have to chime in that you wouldn't have gotten them in the first place if you didn't kill millions of other Asians and Allied forces with your adventures in Asia.

[cloudzero]

on an individual level, how many of those killed in the bomb had anything to do with the invasions and murders. i can't help but to think that the ones out raping and killing aren't in japan during the time. and the ones who decided to stay at home get bombed. either that or i don't know history at all

[Sunflare]

This is why I am anti war in many respects. Because of atrocities like what has happened in Japan. Poor people.

[Sunflare]

Japan PM avoids war shrine on WW2 anniversary
Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:26am

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A man marches in a Japanese imperial army uniform at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo August 15, 2008

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan marked the 63rd anniversary of its surrender in World War Two on Friday with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda avoiding visiting a shrine for war dead seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of Tokyo's past militarism.

Former prime ministers Shinzo Abe and Junichiro Koizumi and three current cabinet ministers were among those who paid their respects at Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo on Friday, domestic media reported.

A cross-party group of over 50 lawmakers also visited the Shinto shrine.

The shrine honors Japanese World War Two leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal, along with 2.5 million war dead.

Past visits there by Japanese leaders have divided opinion at home and angered countries that suffered under Japan's military aggression in the early 20th century.

A mixed crowd of former soldiers, relatives of the war dead dressed in mourning attire, young couples and right-wing activists in military uniforms flocked to the shrine in the summer heat.

Farm Minister Seiichi Ota, Justice Minister Okiharu Yasuoka and Seiko Noda, minister for consumer affairs, also visited, local media said.

"I am here to honor the spirits of the dead because I want to thank those who worked for the nation," said 82-year-old Seiichi Suzuki, a former soldier who served on a destroyer during the war.

"I see no need for Fukuda to visit," he said.

ACTIVISTS FRUSTRATED

Others were frustrated by the 72-year-old premier's decision to stay away, and activists blasted messages from loudspeakers criticizing Fukuda.

"He has no guts. I don't think he needs to care about what China and South Korea think," said Masanobu Masuda, 34, who was at the shrine early on Friday.

Fukuda, a moderate conservative who stresses good ties with Asian countries, made clear when he took office last September that he would not visit the shrine.

He paid his respects at a secular memorial to fallen Japanese service members and attended a government-sponsored remembrance ceremony with Emperor Akihito.

"Our country has inflicted great pain on many nations, especially those in Asia. On behalf of the Japanese people, I express my condolences and deep regret to all the victims," Fukuda said at the ceremony.

"I pledge that we will renew our commitment not to fight war and that we will lead the international community as a peace cooperating nation to actively establish lasting peace in the world."

Some 6,000 people who attended the ceremony observed a minute's silence for the war dead at noon.

Sino-Japanese relations foundered during the 2001-2006 tenure of Koizumi, whose annual visits to Yasukuni outraged Beijing and Seoul.

A thaw began after his successor Abe stayed away during his short-lived term in office, placing priority on diplomacy over pleasing his conservative base.

Debate over visits to Yasukuni has been muted ahead of this year's anniversary, as policy-makers and voters focus more on the faltering economy and consumers' worries about rising prices than questions of national pride and wartime history.

(Writing by Yoko Kubota and Linda Sieg; additional reporting by Chisa Fujioka; Editing by Michael Watson)






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