The Truman Center for Nuclear Peace

The U.S. attended the 65th anniversary ceremonies commemorating the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. It's memorable because the U.S. has never attended before, and because the Obama administration managed to resist what was probably an urge to apologize for taking a justifiable wartime action.

In other news, a private American group announced that they have purchased land, and plan to build a 15 story community center two blocks from ground zero in Hiroshima. The structure will be called the Truman Center for Nuclear Peace. The promoters hope to spread their message that nuclear weapons not only brought an end to the Pacific War, but kept the peace throughout the Cold War. Their organization stresses the peaceful purpose of nuclear weapons, and the developers believe this new center will help create greater understanding between Japanese and Americans on the issue of nuclear weapons. Initial reports show strong Japanese opposition to such a project, with many labeling it the Ground Zero Bomb Center.

Although recent polls show that more than 50% strongly oppose the Truman Center for Nuclear Peace, it has achieved remarkable support from local politicians and political pundits, particularly on the left. They point out that the center isn't about the bombing, but about peace, and that it isn't actually on ground zero -- it's a whole two blocks away. They derisively dismiss any and all opposition as ignorant anti-American bigotry. But opposition continues to grow.



For the clueless... everything but the first paragraph is satire.

More Apologies

This time from Japan. The Japanese ambassador to the U.S. apologized for the treatment of prisoners of war taken when they captured the Philippines during World War Two.

"We extend a heartfelt apology for our country having caused tremendous damage and suffering to many people including prisoners of war, those who have undergone tragic experiences in the Bataan peninsula the Corregidor Island, Philippines and other places,"

He was speaking to 73 survivors of the Bataan Death March. Maybe the veterans appreciated it, but I find these types of apologies for past events completely pointless. The current government of Japan bears little relation to the Imperial Japan of World War Two. Such apologies are unnecessary and meaningless.

What Will Japan Do?

That's one question that should be asked following North Korea's successful nuclear test. There was one interesting story in the aftermath that largely passed under the radar. A member of Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party is advocating significant changes to the country's military policy.

“North Korea poses a serious and realistic threat to Japan,” former defense chief Gen Nakatani said today in Tokyo at a meeting of Liberal Democratic Party officials. “We must look at active missile defense such as attacking an enemy’s territory and bases.”

Japan has kept a low profile militarily since World War Two, partially because of its constitution, but also because it has focused on economic development and trade under the aegis of U.S. military protection. But here you have a prominent legislator and former defense chief, calling for the country to seriously consider launching preemptive strikes.

Most analysts agree that China is the only country with significant influence over North Korea. It maintains the North as a client state as a counterbalance to South Korea, a U.S. ally. It is unlikely that North Korea could have developed nuclear weapons if the Chinese had seriously opposed it. But China is playing a dangerous game. Does it really want to force Japan's hand? Would a militarily stronger Japan willing to carry out preemptive strikes on potential enemies be in China's best interests?

Japanese Emperor to Visit Pearl Harbor?

Japan Times reports that the Emperor & Empress of Japan will visit Pearl Harbor on their return from a trip to Canada this summer. According to the article, no prime minister of Japan, let alone the head of state, has been to Pearl Harbor since World War Two. I find that surprising, given the amount of time that has passed, and the close relations between the U.S. and Japan. Even now

the Emperor and Empress will unofficially stop over in Hawaii. They will primarily interact with local Japanese-American groups and visit Pearl Harbor during a break

It sounds like they are trying to keep it as low profile as possible. I'm not exactly sure why. No U.S. president has ever visited Hiroshima either.

Humorous Skeptics in Japan

There is an organization in Japan named "The Academy of Outrageous Books." According to Japan Times, the group's mission is 

squeezing a good laugh out of books that, contrary to the creator's earnest intentions, feature writing, theories and presumptions that were too far-fetched or scientifically faulty to be taken seriously.

Apparently Japanese publishing, much like American, prints numerous works based on "conspiracy theories, occultism, UFOs and pseudoscience." The academy, headed by novelist Hiroshi Yamamoto analyzes and debunks them, and then recommends the most outrageous for entertainment reading.