The Mayor of Hiroshima today urged Donald Trump to visit the city to witness firsthand the devastating effects of nuclear weapons. This invitation comes in response to the former U.S. President’s “inappropriate comparison” between the 1945 atomic bombings and recent airstrikes on Iran.
“It seems to me that he doesn’t truly understand what atomic bombing means, which takes the lives of many innocent citizens and threatens the survival of the human race,” Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui told reporters.
“I would like President Trump to visit Hiroshima so he can understand what atomic bombing is and feel the spirit of Hiroshima,” Matsui added.
Historical Context of the Atomic Bombings
The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and a second on Nagasaki three days later. This marked the only time in history that nuclear weapons have been used in warfare. Shortly thereafter, Japan surrendered, bringing an end to World War II.
Approximately 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki, with many more subsequently suffering severe health problems due to radiation exposure.
Trump’s Controversial Comments and Local Reaction
After several days of Israeli attacks on Iran, the U.S. bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22. Shortly thereafter, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel came into effect, ending a 12-day conflict.
“I don’t want to use Hiroshima as an example, I don’t want to use Nagasaki as an example, but essentially it was the same,” Trump said on June 25 at a NATO summit in The Hague. “It ended the war,” he concluded.
His statement sparked discontent among survivors and led to protests in Hiroshima. Last week, the city council passed a resolution condemning comments that justify the use of atomic bombs.
