Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun 
The results of the firebombing of Tokyo on the night of March 9-10, 1945, caused greater damage and loss of life than either atomic bomb.
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March 10 marks the 80th anniversary of the horrendous firebombing of Tokyo in the last year of World War II.
In the wake of the attack, Kanda, Asakusa, and other parts of the city’s shitamachi plebeian downtown district lay in ashes. An estimated 100,000 people lost their lives. It is difficult to even imagine the suffering those affected by the bombing had to endure. May their souls rest in peace.
At the same time, we must seriously consider our responsibility to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.
More Than One-Third of Tokyo Destroyed
In the predawn hours of March 10, 1945, more than 300 United States B-29 bombers attacked Tokyo, dropping approximately 1,600 tons of incendiary bombs. The indiscriminate bombing destroyed more than one-third of Tokyo's 35 wards and affected more than one million people.
During the Pacific War, the US military's air raids on the Japanese mainland began in earnest from the fall of 1944. Initially, the focus was on the precision bombing of military installations. But after the Great Tokyo Air Raid in March 1945, the US military took advantage of Japan's weakened air defenses and began bombing densely populated urban areas at night from low altitudes.
From then until the end of the war in August, air attacks were launched on major Japanese cities nationwide. On March 12 and 19, there was the Great Nagoya Air Raid. Kansai was hit with the Great Osaka Air Raid on March 13 and 14 and the Great Kobe Air Raid on March 17. This intensive bombing campaign culminated in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which together took more than 500,000 lives.
Attacks on non-combatants are war crimes that cannot be tolerated. However, the victorious United States was never tried for its actions.
Ending the Inhumanity
Since the signing of the peace treaty in San Francisco in 1951, Japan has enjoyed friendly relations with the US, its only ally. As important as that is, the Japanese people should learn about the history of inhumane air raids.
Threats from the air still exist in the 21st century. No matter how much Japan desires peace, the fear of being attacked will never go away.
Ukraine continues to be attacked by Russian missiles, drones, and manned aircraft. Needless to say, the casualties have not been limited to members of the military. They also include many civilians, even children.
At the same time, near Japan, North Korea has been repeatedly launching ballistic missiles. China, too, is expanding its arsenal of nuclear warheads, missiles, and drones.
Protecting Civilians
In 2024, with a Taiwan emergency or other contingencies in mind, the Japanese government drew up a basic policy for the construction of shelters. These would be evacuation facilities and bomb shelters. However, compared to Europe, South Korea, and Taiwan, Japan is lagging far behind in terms of shelter preparation.
If Japan demonstrates its ability to protect its people, any nation contemplating invading our country may see that strong will and give up thoughts of attacking. We should simultaneously pursue peace through diplomacy, bolster our defense capabilities, and build sufficient shelters.
RELATED:
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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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