By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On June 19, 2025, a memorial service commemorated the 80th anniversary of devastating U.S. air raids on Fukuoka, which killed or left missing over 1,000 people. The raids, involving at least 1,300 metric tons of incendiary bombs, caused catastrophic damage, particularly at the Jugo Ginko bank where a power outage trapped and killed 63 people sheltering in its basement. Yoshitaka Mizobe, a survivor who lost his father in the war, attended the service, underscoring the need to remember this tragedy and prevent future conflicts. He continues to share his wartime experiences with younger generations to ensure this history is not forgotten.
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The recent 80th anniversary ceremony in Fukuoka, Japan, commemorating the US bombings during World War II, highlighted a recurring theme: the assertion that “there absolutely is no such thing as a justified war.” This statement, while seemingly promoting pacifism, is viewed by many as deeply problematic given Japan’s role in initiating the conflict through its aggressive expansionism in Asia.
The emphasis on suffering endured by Japanese citizens during the bombings overshadows a crucial element: the brutal actions Japan undertook before the bombings, actions that directly led to the conflict. There’s a sense of a selective memory, focusing on the pain inflicted upon Japan while largely ignoring the immense suffering inflicted by Japan on its neighbors. This selective remembrance feels deeply hypocritical to many, especially those from countries subjected to Japanese atrocities during World War II. The statement rings hollow when considering the scale of Japanese aggression and the devastation it caused across Asia.
Repeated apologies offered by Japan in the past are viewed as insufficient by many, particularly in light of continued visits by Japanese politicians to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site honoring convicted war criminals. This ongoing practice fuels a perception of a lack of genuine remorse and accountability for Japan’s wartime actions. The continued downplaying of these events through textbook revisions further deepens this impression, suggesting a systematic effort to minimize Japan’s wartime culpability in the national consciousness.
The argument that “there is no justified war” is frequently countered by the assertion that stopping Japan’s aggression was, in fact, a justified war. The Pearl Harbor attack, which precipitated the US entry into the war, is cited as a prime example of unprovoked aggression. The subsequent bombings of Japanese cities, while horrific, are viewed by many as a consequence of Japan’s prior actions, a necessary response to an unjustified war of conquest. The sheer scale of suffering caused by Japan’s pre-war actions, including the Nanking Massacre and the brutality of Unit 731, serve as powerful counterpoints to the assertion that all wars are inherently unjustified.
The strong emotional reactions from many, particularly those from Southeast Asian countries, highlight the enduring legacy of Japanese wartime atrocities. These reactions underscore the lingering resentment and the need for more comprehensive acknowledgment and reconciliation from Japan. This is not merely about the bombings of Fukuoka; it’s about the systematic and widespread violence perpetrated by the Japanese military across the region. Many believe that true reconciliation cannot occur until Japan confronts its past in a more thorough and honest manner, moving beyond a victim-centered narrative to one that fully acknowledges the suffering inflicted upon others.
The individual’s statement, made at the Fukuoka ceremony, expressing the belief in “no justified wars,” while potentially rooted in personal loss, lacks the broader context of Japan’s pre-war actions. His personal tragedy does not negate the fact that Japan initiated a war of aggression, resulting in widespread death and suffering. The claim that all wars are unjustifiable ignores the complexities of the situation, the concept of just resistance, and the responsibility of states to protect themselves and their interests from unprovoked attack.
While acknowledging the horrors of war, the focus should not solely rest on the suffering experienced within one nation. Japan’s aggressive expansionism and its concomitant atrocities across Asia necessitate a more balanced and complete historical narrative. A true commitment to peace requires not just lamenting one’s own suffering, but actively confronting and atoning for the suffering inflicted upon others. Until this occurs, the narrative surrounding Japan’s wartime experience will remain deeply contested and fraught with unresolved grievances. The ongoing efforts to minimize or reinterpret Japan’s wartime actions hinder any genuine path towards lasting peace and reconciliation.