Despite the increase in coronavirus infections in Japan, the Olympics are in full swing. These happy weather is a wave that is going on behind a lot. Although the virus has deprived spectators of the opportunity to enjoy the game from appearing on the field, many in the country are happy with the success of the host Japan so far and have watched the Olympics on television every day at home.
The Olympics are back in Tokyo after a 56-year hiatus, but two different days in early August are regularly celebrated in Japan for another reason. Eight years ago, the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were hit by atomic bombs. Although the immediate death toll from that brutal attack exceeded two million, many of those who were waiting to be born in the womb at that time also suffered from long-term illnesses as people continued to fall ill from the radiation. In addition to the people who survived the bombing, those who are still alive, they are constantly suffering from various physical illnesses.
That is to say, that experience suggests that the atomic bombing of the world in 1945 ushered in a new, terrible atomic age. Much of it has become clear in the last 75 years.
With the amount of nuclear weapons that some countries in the world now have, it is possible for us to destroy this world several times. Not only is the stockpile of these self-destructing weapons growing, but so is the number of states that own such weapons. As a result, it is not at all uncommon to be alarmed at what could happen if a weapon goes out of human control at a careless moment. That is why every year on August 8 and 9, remembering the past experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki reminds the world of the importance of nuclear disarmament. And in this process of spreading the message of peace around the world, especially those who had to be the victims of the atomic bombing, the surviving generation of the Hibakusha still play an important role today.
While the Olympics are being organized, this year's Hiroshima anniversary seems to be overshadowed. However, Hiroshima's Hibakusha, as well as the city authorities, saw the Olympics as a wonderful opportunity to spread the message of peace, and that is why they requested the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the exact time of the August 6 bombing, at 6:15 a.m. , Organizers and all those associated with the Olympics should observe a moment of silence in memory of those killed.
The Hiroshima city administration made the request in a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach. In a letter to Bach on the 27th of last month, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui noted, "We want athletes and officials to understand the reality of the atomic bomb at some point. As a result, would you like to invite them to join the spirit of the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima and take part in silent prayers in the Olympic Village or anywhere else? '
On July 18, Bach visited Hiroshima and called on world leaders to adhere to the ceasefire during the Olympics. As a result, the mayor of Hiroshima may hold on to Bach's commitment to peace. However, the mayor's calculations did not match the reality.
Before the Hiroshima anniversary, city officials told the media that the mayor had not received a response to the request from the IOC. In other words, the IOC has filed a request with the mayor of Hiroshima and does not consider it necessary to respond.
After the Japanese media began discussing Hiroshima's request, the Tokyo Olympic Organising Committee finally said that Hiroshima's request had been received by the IOC and that the International Olympic Committee had decided to request athletes and alumni to observe a moment of silence at the Olympic venue or elsewhere. Will not
The organising committee also gave an explanation as to why it would not be announced, saying that the closing ceremony of the Olympics on August 8 would include a part to commemorate those killed in various tragic events in history, following the IOC policy which has been fixed.
Which of these policies, in order to commemorate a tragic event like the atomic bombing, draws on all the tragedies of history and downplays the significance of that particular event? Not to be outdone by the powerful, the IOC is certainly much more interested in seeing it, not in spreading the message of peace around the world, remembering the tragedy of Hiroshima.
However, there is no reason to be upset. While the victims of the atomic bombing did not commemorate the victims of Hiroshima at the Olympic venue in the Japanese capital, we know that peace-loving people around the world will remember them that day and join in silent prayers, wishing people well.