Hiroshima and Nagasaki revisited through The San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1951

Moirangthem Lakshmikumar *

Come 6th and 9th of August every year and we remember the nuclear holocaust that Hiroshima and Nagasaki had to suffer from the atomic bombing by the USA that brought the end of World War II in 1945.

The impact was so huge and devastating that Japan was completely shattered both militarily and economically as if it could never rise up again. The big question that was asked then globally-whether second bombing of Nagasaki was at all necessary after Hiroshima which had killed not less than 1.40 lakh people and completely reduced the city to rubbles.

Studies have pointed out that it was the determination of the Allied powers led by the US to end the war and the adamant attitude of the Japanese to surrender. Both the narratives have their reasons and as for the Japanese the fear and the apprehension that the surrender would mean end of the Japanese Emperor system - which they have adopted and lived through as part of their life.

The post world war II witnessed a churning taking place in the world order. A new world order-was emerging wherein the US would play a lead role, cold war politics would dominate and above all and specifically the emergence of Japan as an economic power under the aegis of the US.

All these developments had influenced me to opt for my M Phil dissertation “The San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1951” which I had submitted to the Dept of Japanese Studies, Delhi University in Feb, 1984. My research traversed through the post-War II developments in Asia and the world, though however, the focus was still on the emergence of Japan after the signing of the Treaty.

While Hiroshima and Nagasaki are important chapters in the history of modern world they are also important milestone for me and my research. At the same time it helps a lot in trying to learn and understand the global geo politics.

We have the emerging world power politics fueled by National economic developments and many inte- rest groups and alignments and camp politics. At the same time, hidden somewhere, there is the politics of strong and intense Nationalism.

The San Francisco Peace Treaty, 1951 brought an end to the War at the same time it heralded the occupation of Japan by the US - taking Japan to the path of develop- ments which historically mean post War reconstruction of Japan.

The process of resettlement was not easy as it was found to be the most challenging and daunting task before the US. This also means not only economic resettlement but also resettlement of values and traditions of the Japanese society which had been shattered during the War.

The paramount issue was the consideration of a peaceful world order where Nations could progress on eco growth without military power.