Hiroshima’s Memorial Day And Israel

These days, when I read newspapers, what I see is Russian aggression to Ukraine, and the war between Iran and the U.S. and Israel. I’ve realized that what I see as peace has always been different while I was watching world news from childhood, and spending quiet time abroad in a suburb of the U.S., where I had no chance to see Japanese. I can only write this way. I have friends among service members of the U.S. military. Many of my childhood friends have actually become or have been deployed to the Gulf War or even the Vietnam War.

Somehow, every year, the first post I encounter is a message from Israeli Ambassadors about Hiroshima, and today was no exception. I was reading Ambassador Cohen’s post all the time. I feel mixed feelings when I see the comments on the posts and had mixed feelings in my heart all the time, not because of the post itself, but Antisemetic statements made against the Ambassadors and the Israeli Embassy. However, I kept silent for a very long time until October 7th, 2023.

What I understood from Ambassador Cohen’s post was what his family has had as a burden for being Jewish. I wasn’t sure if I should be loud and speak out against those who make Antisemetic comments. Is that okay? After October 7th, I felt that I needed to voice clearly without fear, and something inside was … broken. To this day, after October 7th, I have been determined not to tolerate any Antisemitism even in Japan, where most people make Antisemetic statements without knowing, which is “Jews are controlling the financial world.” With more than 1200+ victims brutally murdered in Israel on October 7th, how many Japanese have said condolences to the Israeli people? What I witnessed was indifference and claims that Israel is like Russia against Gaza. So, what do these populations that claim “stop stop Gaza” know about the actual Gaza? They have no idea what they’re claiming, but are mocking propaganda and feel the outrage which is supposed to be directed not against the Jewish people.

I read the Bible every day. Is “feeling heavy heart for the survivors or victims of Nova Music Festival” too flashy? We shouldn’t care because Israel is far away? I guess people are not interested in how difficult it is to attack Israel.

What Japan lost in a second on August 6th is what we never want to witness. I think August is the month the Japanese people spend rather quietly from the 6th to the 15th. The 15th was the date of sorrow and the day of relief. It’s very different from the Holocaust or October 7th in my heart. However, what I personally believe is the value of life. If it is Israeli, is it okay to ignore the 1200+ people? The answer is clearly no. People suffer every day and are trying to get over the tragedy.

This is my personal impression, and what I feel between the lines of Ambassador Navon was full of kindness and compassion. His statement on X was as follows:

“At 8:15 this morning, Hiroshima fell silent.

My first duty as Israel’s Ambassador-designate to Japan was to attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony for the first time. It was a profound honour to represent Israel on this solemn occasion and to greet the Mayor of Hiroshima.

We remember those who were killed, those who endured terrible wounds and illness, and all whose lives were forever marked by immense suffering.

Yet Hiroshima’s story does not end in destruction. It is also the story of a city rebuilt from devastation, of extraordinary resilience, and of an enduring commitment to building a better world. Hiroshima’s suffering commands remembrance; its reconstruction and resolve command our deepest respect.

It is a past event, but Japan is supposed to play a role in deterring nuclear threats. Now, it’s a very difficult time for the victims and people of Hiroshima to look back the tragedy. Approximately 100,000 people were affected.”

The clock stopped that day. I know of the third generation who suffered from high white blood cell counts and continuous fever from my childhood. What people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki went through is something beyond tragedy. However, I wouldn’t compare what happened in Japan to other nations like the Holocaust. The Holocaust was a true tragedy, and Japan was supposed to be proud of protecting the Jewish population during the war. What Israel and Japan could share is “the value of human lives.”

The tragedy of the war could be comparable and incomparable at the same time. However, I have a question. How would the war end sooner? I actually have no answer to the question. How would the human race make the best choice all the time?  If I write this, it may sound cruel, and diplomatically, Japan lost WWII.

I’m touched by the Ambassador’s statement on “valuing human lives” with warmth from his heart. However, there is a sadly twistedness that takes his words harmfully. It’s called Antisemitism. Even on the day when many Japanese disappeared in a second, these Antisemites who sing and dance “Stop Stop Gaza” have no idea what the value of human life is, and throw Antisemetic slurs against the Israeli Ambassador. I read this every single year for the past few years, especially after October 7th. Not just this year.

Is this a peaceful act? I truly hope the human race can find a peaceful resolution and make a better choice rather than “considering revenge or animosity against others.” To Japan, the United States is the best and most important ally. And, we need to honor each other’s lives lost during the war, which have the value of human life.

These are my thoughts on August 6th, when I remember the victims and the value of our lives. We live only once, and one soul in our hearts.