Kerry Visits Hiroshima Memorial Seven Decades After A-Bomb
- 8 years ago
John Kerry on Monday became the first US secretary of state to visit Hiroshima's revered atomic bomb memorial, calling it a "stark, harsh, compelling reminder" to end the threat of nuclear weapons.
Kerry's visit, and speculation that Obama may also go to Hiroshima, prompted suggestions that Washington might make an official apology over the August 1945 bombing, which killed 140,000 people.
"My visit to Hiroshima has very special meaning about the strength of our relationship and the journey we have traveled together since the difficult time of the war," Kerry told Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida earlier Monday.
Arriving under tight security, the G7 ministers and the foreign policy chief of the European Union started their visit at a museum that shows the devastating impact of the bombing - such as survivors' burned clothing and other personal affects.
Kerry's visit, and speculation that Obama may also go to Hiroshima, prompted suggestions that Washington might make an official apology over the August 1945 bombing, which killed 140,000 people.
"My visit to Hiroshima has very special meaning about the strength of our relationship and the journey we have traveled together since the difficult time of the war," Kerry told Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida earlier Monday.
Arriving under tight security, the G7 ministers and the foreign policy chief of the European Union started their visit at a museum that shows the devastating impact of the bombing - such as survivors' burned clothing and other personal affects.