Japanese resent A-bomb earrings
Jake Schoellkopf / Associated Press
An anti-nuclear group in Hiroshima is protesting the sale of earrings shaped like the "Little Boy," right, and "Fat Man" atomic bombs used in World War II. Little Boy was dropped Aug. 6, 1945. |
By Chris Roberts / Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Tiny silver replicas of the first atomic bombs that are being sold as earrings at the National Atomic Museum are stirring emotions in Japan.
"We're very angry," said Naomi Kishimoto of the anti-nuclear group Gensuikyo in Hiroshima, one of the two Japanese cities hit with atomic bombs in World War II.
"It's not the sort of thing you should be hanging from your ears or using to decorate your desk," he said.
"It's unforgivable that (the) museum would sell through the Internet something that praises the unit that dropped the atomic bomb."
Members of Gensuikyo found the earrings and other items, including medallions that commemorate the bombing missions over Japan, on the museum's Web site.
The earrings are shaped like the "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" atomic bombs developed during the war at Los Alamos under the Manhattan Project north of Albuquerque. They sell for $20 a pair at the Energy Department museum on Kirtland Air Force Base.
The bomb dubbed "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. Nagasaki was leveled by Fat Man three days later. As many as 175,000 people were killed in the two attacks. The Japanese surrendered five days after the second bomb.
Museum Director Jim Walther said the museum does not plan to stop selling the earrings. He said items sold in the museum store reflect history and present the work of dedicated scientists in the United States.
"This museum does not advocate war or the use of nuclear weapons," he said.
Museum store Manager Tony Sparks said the shop advances the argument that the bombings saved the lives of U.S. troops as well as pointing out the immorality of war.
He pointed to a book with black-and-white photos of vast areas in the Japanese cities where buildings were flattened, but acknowledged that the earrings, especially a matched set with one of each bomb, are the most popular item in the store.
"We're aware that it's sensitive," Sparks said. "We have such a high contingency of Japanese visitors, most of whom are interested in hearing our side. We are careful not to glorify it."
Visitors have had a wide range of reactions.
Lois Dove of South Fork, Colo., said she didn't blame the Japanese for objecting to the earrings.
"It's not appropriate," Dove said.
Ben Parks of Amarillo, Texas, said he understands the Japanese reaction, but thinks the earrings should stay on the shelf because the bombs ended the war.
"It goes back to a few people -- their military leaders. The population of Japan didn't have input into what was going on. There were innocent casualties and victims," Parks said.