Hiroshima and Nagasaki
6th and 9th of August 1945 marked in the history of human civilizations as the invention of the weapon of mass destruction which unleashed upon the humanity itself. This was a result of nuclear weapon race between Americans and Germans in World War II. Albeit, Nazi Germany surrendered earlier before the Americans could finish up the construction of the bombs. Furthermore, they’re frustrated to know that the Germans had nothing for such thing as they’re already getting suppresses and pressures due to the war. The idea of the bombs was to be detonated upon the Germany but upon the fall of this European nemesis, the Allied forces switched their targets to the stubborn enemy in the Far East, Imperial Japan.
Imperial Japan
Looking back at history, Japan certainly had a great ambition in creating Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Thus, they rose up through militarism and conquering nearby nations. They were also instilling nationalism among the citizens of Western colonies to make their path easier with the tagline “Asia for the Asians”. The rise of Japan opened the eyes of many people that Asians could match with the Western countries as well. Unfortunately, the Japanese are the same as those people who are simply seek for gaining more territories for themselves. Ultimately, the Greater Asia theory failed because the Imperial Japan would prefer to impose their own ways and conducts to the conquered Asian nations or something what we called, Japanification.
The Fat Man atomic bomb
Why I bring up this topic? This is not really a remembrance for those who lost in Hiroshima and Nagasaki because of atom bombs. Nuclear warfare has been a significant debate among major countries around the globe as it’s deadly implications towards humanity. It may not only eliminating entire human population but also turning the planet earth to dust. Of course that meteors and comets have been making contacts with the Earth for several times for millions of years and there were even something greater than what the Japanese people had in their country. The Americans have several opinions on why they should and should not to send those bombs unto Japan. Apparently, they even had more plans to drop more of them on Japan if the Imperial government insisted to continue with the fighting. After the second drop on Nagasaki, the Emperor chose to comply with the surrender terms given by the Allies.
American ship strucked by Kamikaze
People has always accusing the United States of America for the usage of atom bombs. It is true that through current world politics that they forbid any other country to get a hold of such weapon despite they themselves posses it. Unfair, hypocrisy, unilateral and many more. It is understandable as United States is the world supreme power and willing to police everything out that comply with their needs. Isn’t that what the major superpowers did thousands of years ago? But what I am trying to bring here is the so-called implications on the Japanese and other things due to such misery. Unjustified. Some Japanese think that the usage is unjustified. A single bomb could killed hundreds of thousands of people in a single blow. A lot more to come after the blast because of radiation that also provide cancer and other diseases. The wretchedness of this somewhat malevolent act is intolerable, for them. I think these history forgotten people have lack of knowledge.
Unjustified? Japanese?
The above picture is taken in Nanking, China, around the final days of the year 1937. Far from the soil of Japan. The Japanese butchered Chinese people in Nanking Massacre or the Rape of Nanking. In six weeks, more and more people were tortured, raped and murdered by the Japanese Imperial Army under the command of none other than Prince Asaka from Imperial Court. Women were raped from all ages including old women and infants. If their husbands or brothers tried to stop them, they’re simply shot to death. Pregnant women were not escaped as well. Dark days for Chinese people, weren’t they? If that’s for China, other countries having similar fate as well. How about looking at British Malaya? People of this country have always being reminded about the hardships faced by the people during those days. Before looking at major event, Parit Sulong in Johor had an incident where the Japanese massacred prisoners of war despite they already turned in for surrenders.
The wounded prisoners of war were kicked and beaten with rifle butts by the Imperial Guards. At least some were tied up with wire in the middle of the road, machine-gunned, had petrol poured over them, were set alight and (in the words of Russell Braddon) were “after their incineration — [were] systematically run over, back and forwards, by Japanese driven trucks.”
The fate of the Chinese who fled to British Malaya after the Japanese occupation in China were getting worsen. The famous incident of Sook Ching Massacre showed us how brutal humans can be. Borneo, Indonesia and Philippines also have their own stories regarding such inhuman acts.
The controversial Yasukuni Shrine
I know, this may bring back bad memories of the old days. I am not here to spread hatred among the readers against the Japanese. In fact, I am all over for Japanese culture and also my personal hobbies of watching animu and reading mango. But I really hate it when people questioned about how unjustified the atom bombs being used upon the Japanese. Civillians? Unjust? Weren’t those who died in Nanking also civillians? Weren’t those prisoners of war already surrendered? Atom bombs or nuclear warfare is unjust but what happened to those people of Japan can be considered as a part of justice. Which is why I dislike the subliminal messages in Japanese movies like Otoko-tachi no Yamato and Orewa, Kimi no Tame ni Koso Shini ni Iku. Some say, forget about the past and live on. But I prefer looking and study the past for better future.
And war, war never changes.
Have you played MGS4, bro?
Not yet, but Fallout 3, yes.
My late grandmother only went as far as the UMNO vice-secretary + English teacher and that’s with the loss of her education certificates when Japan invaded Malaya.
I wonder if my family would’ve had a better life than before if she managed to be something better? But yeah, no use crying over someone that is already gone (Rest in peace my grandmother, 2003). All’s up to me now… sad to think about that.
RIP again for those who lost their life in ww2
Burn the Japs! BURN THEM ALL!!!!!!!!