Japan’s Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma said Saturday that he thinks the dropping of atomic bombs by the United States in the closing days of World War II “could not be helped” as it was aimed at preventing the Soviet Union from entering the war against Japan.
“I understand the bombings brought the war to its end. I think it was something that couldn’t be helped.”The United States “dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki although it knew Japan would lose the war” without having to resort to using an atomic bomb, Kyuma said.
Noting that the Soviet Union was preparing to wage a war against Japan, he said the United States must have thought the use of an atomic bomb could prompt Japan’s surrender, thus preventing the Soviet Union from carrying out its intentions.
“Luckily Hokkaido was not occupied. In the worst case, Hokkaido could have been taken by the Soviet Union,” he said. “I don’t hold a grudge against the United States.”
This is a perfectly valid reasoning that, frankly, I agree with. It’s how many Americans justify Hiroshima. But for the minister of a relatively unpopular government to make this remark weeks before a national election in a country where more than 80% of the public believes the atomic bombing was the indiscriminate massacre of ordinary citizens just moments before national defeat that is not justified for any reason.
The watchword of this blog has long been one of Robert D. Kaplan’s “top ten rules”: Speak Victorian, Think Pagan. Policymakers must have the freedom to think of all possibilities and options, unrestricted. But never speak outloud: the public isn’t ready to hear it, your enemies will have access to inner thoughts, and the substances of the debate will get lost in the controversy. Defense Minister Kyuma should continue to think pagan, but always speak Victorian in public.
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added these pithy words on Jul 02 07 at 8:03 am[...] to get Japan to surrender more quickly before the Soviets gobbled up to much Japanese territory. Coming Anarchy has some good commentary on this issue and provides a better translation of what Kyuma [...]
The Marmot’s Hole » Sorry About That. Couldn’t Be Helped. added these pithy words on Jul 02 07 at 12:46 pm[...] discusses Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma’s comment that the atomic bombing of Japan “could not be [...]
Leftsider added these pithy words on Jul 06 07 at 1:20 pmHow do you say, “Speak Victorian”? in Japanese?...
How do you say, “Speak Victorian”? in Japanese? at ComingAnarchy.com The watchword of this blog has long been one of Robert D. Kaplan’s “top ten rules”?: Speak Victorian, Think Pagan. Policymakers must have the freedom to think of all possibili…
Peter Pan added these pithy words on 01 Jul 07 at 10:15 amRight on.
The truth will not save you from the apposition parties in Japan. It’s really no suprise though when the same people are calling for Abe to step down and ‘take responsibility’ for the current nenkin problems that were created over 30 years ago, they just discovered while he was in office. It’s funny though when they scream at him about his approval ratings, and they haven’t managed to control the diet for practically 50 years. Not really a position to be talking.
Aceface added these pithy words on 01 Jul 07 at 1:22 pmThe most interesting thing of all is this chap is from Nagasaki….
Even in Hiroshima were left has always been strong,the mayor Akiba(a Social Democrat)had appointed American for A-bomb memorial foundation.And he is intending to have some Asians who think A-bomb had ended the Japanese imperialism as the board member.
So in a way Kyuma’s statement is based on broad public consensus from both left and right and nothing to be accused of.It is a pity that history debate is politicized by all sphere of political arena.
Joe added these pithy words on 01 Jul 07 at 2:03 pmTo make matters worse, Mr. Ozawa of the DPJ came back with a statement that Japan should demand an apology from the US government for the bomb. What the hell is this, China?
Fortunately Abe stayed Victorian and said the best use of Japan’s energies was to work toward disarmament.
Phew. And we thought Aso was bad… who would want either Kyuma or Ozawa in power?
Aceface added these pithy words on 01 Jul 07 at 4:33 pmWell,Ozawa isn’t that bad.At least he ain’t LDP!
Alfred Russel Wallace added these pithy words on 01 Jul 07 at 7:03 pmInteresting to ponder whether such forthright clarity could ever be used to sort out the other ‘outstanding’ issues, such as Nanjing, ‘comfort women’. Unit 731, etc.
subadei added these pithy words on 02 Jul 07 at 2:14 amFumio’s pragmatism is impressive. I don’t know that I agree he should have spoken Victorian, however. I think the mainstream (especially here in the US) deserve some unapologetic realism. Call it tough love, if you will. Maybe it’ll drag them away from whatever utopian ideology that they cling to left or right.
Curzon added these pithy words on 02 Jul 07 at 3:16 am
The most interesting thing of all is this chap is from Nagasaki”¦.That is interesting!
Thanks all for the comments. I think my point is that, Kyuma’s discussion is a fine one to be had, as are the other topics mentioned by Dr. Wallace, but it’s unbelievable to make statements like this right before an election where the government is facing tough odds. That kind of honesty doesn’t win the LDP any friends, especially not in places like Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Mark added these pithy words on 02 Jul 07 at 3:30 amKaplan’s referenced article shows a lot of education but little understanding. The future does not belong to the state and it’s aparatchiks. The debt bubble that’s collapsing should dry up all that easy tax money that governments have been using to bend others around the world to their will.
Aceface added these pithy words on 03 Jul 07 at 7:03 pmKoike Yuriko is supposed to be the chair person of newly established cabinet’s NSCwas the broadcaster for TV TOKYO and the graduate of University of Cairo,Probably the only Japanese diet member who can speak Arabic(not sure how fluent she is).
I remember she was against the first gulf war,but then again she wasn’t LDP member at the time.
Curzon added these pithy words on 04 Jul 07 at 3:37 amYH, I think that was my first post ever here at CA…　æ‡?ã?‹ã?—ã?„ã?ªã??。
sun bin added these pithy words on 20 Jul 07 at 4:49 pmcouldnt be helpes, true.
but the cold war, soviet, and hokkaido? do you really believe that was what truman had in mind?
i will help you to think pagan
guy added these pithy words on 25 Jul 07 at 5:54 amI don’t know about speaking Victorian and thinking pagan. But Kyuma was right. A friend told me the Victorian age was one of hypocrisy: an outward appearance of respetability with an undercurrent of bawdiness.
So that is perhaps what a numbe of Victorians did think Victorian and act/ think pagan. P..S If they United States really wanted to keep the Soviets out they would have rearmed the Germans. I was taken aback when I first heard someone say that. That person said it was not his idea, but Patton’s. If the U.S. kept the Soviets out of Asia then the issue of North Korea would have been a moot point. It is interesting that when one Chinese family had a discussion on the bomb, one elderly lady said they should have incincerated all of Japan. Kind of scary.
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