Today, Japan is commemorating the 78th anniversary of the devastating atomic bombing of Nagasaki with a direct message to all nuclear-armed nations to take bold steps towards nuclear disarmament.
The tragic events, which occured in August 9, 1945, remain etched in history as the day the city of Nagasaki in Japan became the target of life-wrecking bombing.
Background: Reason and Justification for the Bombing
The bombing of Nagasaki, like the bombing of Hiroshima, was carried out with the aim of ending World War II quickly.
Following the end of the fighting in Europe on 7 May 1945, the Allies told Japan to surrender by 28 July, but the deadline passed without them doing so.
An estimated 71,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth were killed in the war against Japan, including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in Japanese captivity.
On 6 August 1945 at 08:15 Japanese time, an American B-29 bomber plane named Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
However, Japan did not surrender.
Three days later, the Americans dropped another atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki at 11:02 Japanese time.
The United States believed that the use of atomic bombs would force Japan’s surrender, preventing further loss of life through a prolonged conflict. As stated by then-U.S. President Harry S. Truman, “We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans.”
Japan surrendered unconditionally on 14 August.
As Japan commemorates the 78th anniversary of this catastrophic event, here are 10 facts that shed light on the Nagasaki bombing and its lasting impact.
1. A Double Tragedy
Nagasaki was the second Japanese city to experience the horror of an atomic bomb on August 9, 1945, during World War II. Three days before the Nagasaki bombing, Hiroshima had already suffered the first atomic bomb attack by the United States on August 6.
2. “Fat Man” Strikes
The bomb dropped on Nagasaki was known as “Fat Man,” a plutonium implosion-type bomb with an explosive force equivalent to approximately 22,000 tons of TNT. It was far more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Nagasaki bomb was 20 kilotons and Hiroshima, 15 kilotons.
However, despite the damages the two bombing caused, experts have said they are rather small size compare to the common size of hundred kilotons some nations have today.
“Still, one 15- and one 20-kiloton bomb were enough to devastate two medium-sized Japanese cities and kill 200,000 or more people, either instantaneously or within five months due to acute radiation injuries and skin burns.” NBC News said in a report.
3. Precision Targeting
The initial target for the Nagasaki bombing was the city of Kokura. However, due to poor visibility on the day of the attack, the aircraft carrying the bomb diverted to Nagasaki as a secondary target.
4. Decimating Impact
The explosion over Nagasaki resulted in an estimated 70,000 immediate deaths and left around 75,000 people injured, many of them suffering from severe burns and radiation-related illnesses.
5. The Toll on Children
Among the victims of the Nagasaki bombing, a significant number were children. Schools were in session when the bomb detonated, and many young lives were tragically lost or forever altered by the radiation exposure.
6. Long-Term Effects
The survivors of the Nagasaki bombing, known as “hibakusha,” continue to suffer from the physical and psychological effects of radiation exposure. These effects have spanned generations, leaving a lasting impact on health and well-being.
An 83-year-old atomic bomb survivors told NBC News in 2020, that most survivors eventually suffer from cancers, leukemia and gene abnormalities in many organs that are still causing malignant diseases.
7. Post-War Rebuilding
Despite the devastation, Nagasaki displayed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. The city was rebuilt with determination and became a symbol of peace and nuclear disarmament.
Japan Commemorates the bombing on August 9th, annually.
8. Peace Park and Memorial
The Nagasaki Peace Park, established in memory of the bombing’s victims, houses various monuments and memorials dedicated to promoting peace and denouncing the use of nuclear weapons.
9. Global Message
The Nagasaki bombing, along with the Hiroshima bombing, served as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare. It has spurred international efforts to prevent the use of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament.
10. Legal Action Japan Took After the Bombing
Japan, devastated by the bombings of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, embarked on a path of recovery and healing. The bombings led Japan to formally surrender on August 15, 1945. In the aftermath, Japan also took significant legal steps towards disarmament. The Japanese Constitution, adopted in 1947, renounces the use of war as a means of settling international disputes. It also prohibits the maintenance of military forces for aggressive purposes, solidifying Japan’s commitment to peace and non-aggression.
