Editorial: U.S. president should look squarely at catastrophic consequences of using nuclear weapons
Jun. 27, 2025
He probably still cannot even imagine what nuclear weapons will bring to humanity. Unbelievable words popped up again from U.S. President Donald Trump.
He said that U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities ended the war between Israel and Iran, and this was “essentially the same thing” as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His remarks to justify himself by referring to the atomic bombings are utterly unacceptable. It cannot be overlooked as his “usual irresponsible talk.”
Mr. Trump, who would use military power, disregarding law and order, to tame others if they do not respond as he wishes, probably sees the atomic bombings as “power” and not as “human tragedy.” As the leader of a nuclear superpower, he should fully realize the inhumanity of the atomic bombings, which has taken so many lives and caused survivors so much suffering to this day, as well as the responsibility of the country that dropped the bombs 80 years ago.
In the United States, the justification for the atomic bombings remain deeply ingrained, with many believing that “they ended the war and saved the lives of many American soldiers.” In recent years, the number of young people with a negative view of that idea is said to have increased. However, Mr. Trump seems to have no doubt about the “A-bomb myth” from times past.
His remarks may have been intended to justify U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities with bunker-buster bombs and to appeal his decisiveness and leadership to the world. He might also have wanted to dodge criticism from home that the facilities have not been completely destroyed.
What I do not understand is that the Japanese government, which emphasizes itself as “the only nation to have experienced nuclear attacks during wartime,” does not protest nor oppose to the statement.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, said: “The atomic bombings took so many precious lives and forced the victims to endure unspeakable suffering.” However, he gave an evasive answer: “The historical event should be evaluated by experts through debate.”
In what sense was the term “historical event” used? The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not an old story; they are a living lesson for all humanity. We cannot allow in silence the use of the tragedy as material to justify attacks on the nuclear facilities.
Yesterday, the Hiroshima City Council resolved not to tolerate Mr. Trump’s remarks justifying the atomic bombing. It is a natural reaction for the city council of the A-bombed city.
Even 80 years later, atomic bomb survivors still bear mental and physical scars. Nevertheless, they share their painful memories and make an appeal both at home and abroad that we do not need nuclear weapons, with the thought: “No one else should have to experience the same kind of suffering.”
Their persistent efforts bore fruit in the form of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and also led to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) receiving the Nobel Peace Prize last year. However, Mr. Trump’s words confronted us with the reality that our appeal has not reached those who should hear it. We have to speak up more.
As the leader of the country that possesses a large volume of nuclear weapons and massive military power, Mr. Trump needs to see with his own eyes what his country’s nuclear weapon had done by visiting the A-bombed city. I also want him to come to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to feel the artifacts and words left by the victims. He must learn that it is the “death” of humankind that nuclear weapons will bring.
(Originally published on June 27, 2025)
He said that U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities ended the war between Israel and Iran, and this was “essentially the same thing” as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His remarks to justify himself by referring to the atomic bombings are utterly unacceptable. It cannot be overlooked as his “usual irresponsible talk.”
Mr. Trump, who would use military power, disregarding law and order, to tame others if they do not respond as he wishes, probably sees the atomic bombings as “power” and not as “human tragedy.” As the leader of a nuclear superpower, he should fully realize the inhumanity of the atomic bombings, which has taken so many lives and caused survivors so much suffering to this day, as well as the responsibility of the country that dropped the bombs 80 years ago.
In the United States, the justification for the atomic bombings remain deeply ingrained, with many believing that “they ended the war and saved the lives of many American soldiers.” In recent years, the number of young people with a negative view of that idea is said to have increased. However, Mr. Trump seems to have no doubt about the “A-bomb myth” from times past.
His remarks may have been intended to justify U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities with bunker-buster bombs and to appeal his decisiveness and leadership to the world. He might also have wanted to dodge criticism from home that the facilities have not been completely destroyed.
What I do not understand is that the Japanese government, which emphasizes itself as “the only nation to have experienced nuclear attacks during wartime,” does not protest nor oppose to the statement.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, said: “The atomic bombings took so many precious lives and forced the victims to endure unspeakable suffering.” However, he gave an evasive answer: “The historical event should be evaluated by experts through debate.”
In what sense was the term “historical event” used? The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not an old story; they are a living lesson for all humanity. We cannot allow in silence the use of the tragedy as material to justify attacks on the nuclear facilities.
Yesterday, the Hiroshima City Council resolved not to tolerate Mr. Trump’s remarks justifying the atomic bombing. It is a natural reaction for the city council of the A-bombed city.
Even 80 years later, atomic bomb survivors still bear mental and physical scars. Nevertheless, they share their painful memories and make an appeal both at home and abroad that we do not need nuclear weapons, with the thought: “No one else should have to experience the same kind of suffering.”
Their persistent efforts bore fruit in the form of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and also led to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) receiving the Nobel Peace Prize last year. However, Mr. Trump’s words confronted us with the reality that our appeal has not reached those who should hear it. We have to speak up more.
As the leader of the country that possesses a large volume of nuclear weapons and massive military power, Mr. Trump needs to see with his own eyes what his country’s nuclear weapon had done by visiting the A-bombed city. I also want him to come to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to feel the artifacts and words left by the victims. He must learn that it is the “death” of humankind that nuclear weapons will bring.
(Originally published on June 27, 2025)
