Trump's Controversial Comparison Draws Global Condemnation

The remarks have sparked widespread condemnation from Japan, especially among survivors of the bombings, who express anger and disappointment at the insensitivity of the comparisons.

In a recent briefing, former President Donald Trump compared recent military actions in Iran to the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, an assertion that has ignited international backlash. "That hit ended the war," he told reporters, drawing applause from some but enraging many in Japan, where the memories of the bombings still loom large.

In August 1945, the US dropped atomic bombs on the two cities, resulting in approximately 140,000 deaths, with survivors enduring lifelong psychological and physical scars. Mayor Shiro Suzuki of Nagasaki vocally condemned Trump's statements, expressing that if his remarks justify the atomic attacks, it would be grievously unfortunate for a city that faced such horrors.

Mimaki Toshiyuki, co-chair of the advocacy group Nihon Hidankyo, which promotes peace and addresses the needs of bomb survivors, termed Trump's comments "unacceptable." Teruko Yokoyama, another group member, voiced her profound disappointment and anger following the ex-president's statements.

In response, citizens staged protests in Hiroshima, demanding Trump retract his remarks. Local lawmakers responded by passing a resolution that condemned any justification for the use of atomic weapons and called for peaceful negotiations to resolve conflicts.

Asked if Japan would formally protest Trump's comments, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa indicated that Japan has consistently conveyed its perspective on nuclear weaponry to the United States.

Trump's comparison arose as he defended a leaked intelligence report downplaying the effectiveness of US strikes on Iran's nuclear plans. He claimed that the operations "obliterated" Iranian nuclear advancements, citing support from CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain poignant memories for Japan, marked by memorials that symbolize their opposition to nuclear arms and their commitment to global peace.