This week brings the anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For those of you who’ve lived in Japan for awhile, you’re familiar with the ceremonies held in both cities every year. They’re held in the name of peace and are quite moving to witness. Each 2nd week of August brings a period of reflection for the Japanese. What they reflect on is obvious and doesn’t need to be gone into in detail here. What is important, however, is that we all reflect on the events surrounding the time of the bombings and recognize the horrors of war that brought about the deaths of millions of people in those dark years. Of course, we can’t spend every day doing so, but the anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is as good a time as any.

As foreigners living in Japan, many of us feel a strong connection to the nation and its people. We are able to experience life in a country rich in history and culture and, for those of us living in Japan’s major cities, we get to enjoy the benefits of living ultra-convenient lifestyles. But, many Japanese people (and maybe a foreigner or two) still living in this country today remember a time when the situation was much different. It’s hard to imagine how the feelings of those people have changed over the years, but one thing’s for sure: It would be a shame for those of us who have never experienced what they have to discount such experience as just a part of history. After all, if they’re still alive, so are the events which have been etched into their minds. One can only assume that they still fear, somewhere in their hearts, a recurrence of what took place seven decades ago.

I feel lucky that I had a chance to hear from my grandfather detailed accounts of his experiences during WWII. Even though I was horrified by many of the things he told me, I felt honored that he shared them with me and glad to be able to have a real connection to the past. Undoubtedly, millions of Japanese born after the events of WWII have also heard of the horrifying events that took place within Japan from their parents and grandparents. Many of these people are our friends and associates today.

No matter what your feelings are about the use of atomic weapons on Japan during WWII, it would be a shame not to take a little time this week to think about what our parents and grandparents and the parents and grandparents of our Japanese friends and loved ones went through back during the dark days of the mid-twentieth century; not only for the sake of people who’ve endured such hard times, but also for those who are still doing so today.

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