Hibakusha offended by U.S. forces plan to fly B-52s over Hiroshima

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Hibakusha offended by U.S. forces plan to fly B-52s over Hiroshima

Groups of A-bomb survivors and anti-nuclear weapons activists in Hiroshima on April 24 made representations to U.S. Marine Corps Iwakuni Air Station Commander Michael A.O’Halloran, requesting that the plan to use B-52 strategic bombers in an airshow be reviewed.

The Hiroshima A- and H-Bomb Sufferers’ organization (Hiroshima Hidankyo) and the Hiroshima Council against A and H Bombs (Hiroshima Gensuikyo) said that allowing B-52 strategic bombers, which can carry nuclear warheads, to fly over the A-bombed city of Hiroshima will greatly offend the Hibakusha.

B-52 bombers are scheduled to arrive at the Iwakuni base to participate in an airshow as part of the ‘Japan-U.S. friendship’ events to be held at the base on May 5.

The U.S. Iwakuni base security personnel refused to receive a written request from representatives of the two organizations. Hiroshima Gensuikyo expressed a protest and sent the letter to the U.S. base commander by fax.

The two organizations also sent a similar letter to Foreign Minister Komura Masahiko asking him to issue an order refusing B-52s the right to fly over Hiroshima.

- Akahata, April 25, 2008