Japan Press Weekly

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2008 April 23 - 29 [US FORCES]

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