Explore the haunting aftermath of wartime destruction
TOKYO (AP) — Eighty years ago on this Monday, over 100,000 individuals lost their lives in a single devastating night as the U.S. conducted a firebombing raid on Tokyo, the capital of Japan. Using conventional bombs, the attack obliterated downtown Tokyo, leaving the streets strewn with charred corpses. The level of destruction was on par with the atomic bombings that occurred a few months later in August 1945. However, unlike those later attacks, the Japanese government has failed to provide aid to the victims, and the tragic events of that day have largely faded into obscurity or been forgotten.
Now, elderly survivors are rallying to share their stories and advocate for financial assistance and acknowledgment. Some are speaking out publicly for the first time, aiming to impart their knowledge to a younger generation. Shizuyo Takeuchi, aged 94, is committed to preserving the history she witnessed at the age of 14 and representing those who perished.
On the fateful night of March 10, 1945, a multitude of B-29 bombers descended on Tokyo, unleashing cluster bombs laden with napalm designed to incinerate the traditional wooden and paper houses prevalent in the densely populated downtown areas. Takeuchi and her family, having previously lost their own home in a firebombing the month before, sought refuge at a relative’s residence by the riverside. Against the tide of fleeing crowds, her father steered them in the opposite direction, ultimately saving their lives. Walking through the night under a crimson sky, Takeuchi was witness to the devastation. Even today, the sight of orange sunsets and the sound of sirens evoke discomfort within her.
By daybreak, the entire city lay in ruins. Among the charred remains, two figures stood out to Takeuchi: a woman and what appeared to be a piece of coal, which turned out to be the woman’s baby. The heartbreaking scene left her numb, desensitized by the sheer scale of tragedy around her. Many who did not perish in the flames sought refuge in the Sumida River, only to meet a grim fate of being crushed or drowned.
The toll of that night’s horror surpassed 105,000 lives lost, with a million others left homeless. The casualties exceeded those of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Despite this, the Tokyo firebombing has been overshadowed by the atomic bombings, while firebombings in numerous other Japanese cities have received even less recognition.
The firebombing came on the heels of Japan’s weakened air and naval defenses following the U.S. capture of key Japanese strongholds in the Pacific, enabling B-29 Superfortress bombers to strike Japan’s mainland with ease. Frustration in the United States over the prolonged war and past Japanese military atrocities, such as the Bataan Death March, fueled the decision to launch the devastating raid.
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Gathering records and artifacts related to the attack is a crucial task. “Our generation may not fully understand the survivors’ experiences, but it is our duty to listen to their stories and preserve their voices,” one individual stated. “In the future, when memories of this event fade, these documents and records will serve as a valuable resource,” added Saotome.
Postwar governments have allocated 60 trillion yen ($405 billion) in welfare aid for military veterans, bereaved families, and medical assistance for survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Unfortunately, civilian victims of the U.S. firebombings have not received any support. Recently, a group of survivors advocated for government recognition of their suffering and financial assistance, emphasizing the lack of official documentation for civilian survivors.
Despite court rejections of their compensation claims, some lawmakers proposed a one-time payment of half a million yen ($3,380) for civilian survivors in 2020. However, opposition from ruling party members has hindered the progress of this plan. As the 80th anniversary of Japan’s WWII defeat approaches, Yumi Yoshida emphasized the urgency of addressing the survivors’ needs.
One survivor, Reiko Muto, vividly recalled the events of March 10, 1945, when she worked as a nurse during an air raid. Amidst chaos and suffering, she tirelessly carried infants to safety in a dimly lit stairwell. The harrowing scene of burned victims begging for water left a lasting impact on her. Muto persevered through the war’s end and dedicated her life to nursing, determined to ensure that such horrors are never repeated.
