Hiroshima as Victimization
Japanese still recall the war experience primarily in terms of their own
victimization. For them, World War II calls to mind the deaths of family and
acquaintances on distant battlefields, and, more vividly, the prolonged,
systematic bombings of their cities.
If it is argued that the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima was necessary to shock the
Japanese to surrender, how does one justify the hasty bombing of Nagasaki only
three days later, before the Japanese had time to investigate Hiroshima and
formulate a response?
Hiroshima as Triumph
To most Americans, Hiroshima—the shattered, atomized, irradiated city –
remains largely a symbol of triumph – marking the end of a horrendous global
conflict and the effective demonstration of a weapon that has prevented another
world war.
It is hard to imagine that the Japanese would have surrendered without the
atomic bomb. Japanese battle plans that were in place when the bombs were
dropped called for a massive, suicidal defense of the home islands, in which the
imperial government would mobilize not only several million fighting men but also
millions of ordinary citizens who had been trained and indoctrinated to resist to
the end with primitive makeshift weapons. For Japanese to even discuss
capitulation (surrender) was seditious (against the law).
Guiding Questions
1. In 1-2 sentences each, explain the two narratives (stories) about Hiroshima.

2. Which narrative do you agree with more? Why?