- Title: Protests in Hiroshima ahead of Obama visit
- Date: 26th May 2016
- Summary: HIROSHIMA, JAPAN (MAY 26, 2016) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS SEATED BEFORE HIROSHIMA'S A-BOMB DOME TO PROTEST AGAINST U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S VISIT TO THE CITY A-BOMB DOME PROTESTERS' BANNER READING (English): "YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE, OBAMA" PROTESTER HOLDING BANNER READING (English): "NO ABE! NO OBAMA!" VARIOUS OF 22-YEAR-OLD PROTESTER, YOHEI SAKUBE, SPEAKING TO PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 22-YEAR-OLD PROTESTER AND UNIVERSITY STUDENT FROM KYOTO, YOHEI SAKUBE, SAYING: "Of course he will not apologise; simply because if he does, the U.S. cannot use the nuclear weapon again. I believe he's not apologising here to leave the possibility to use nuclear weapons open for the future." A-BOMB DOME (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 44-YEAR-OLD PROTESTER AND FARMER FROM OKAYAMA PREFECTURE, DAIICHI NAITO, SAYING: "I see the welcoming atmosphere here is suspicious. I believe there are a lot of people here who think it's not fair to welcome him. The reason is simple; who are those trying to do war again? They're Obama and Abe." SPECTATORS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 22-YEAR-OLD SPECTATOR AND POLITICS STUDENT IN HIROSHIMA, KANA MIYOSHI, SAYING: "I don't agree with them. I think President Obama's visit to Hiroshima is a very grateful thing to us." PROTESTER SHOUTING PROTESTERS SHOUTING (Japanese): "STOP WARS, OBAMA" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING BEFORE A-BOMB DOME PROTESTER HOLDING BANNER READING (English): "WE OPPOSE ABE & OBAMA VISIT TO HIROSHIMA. NO NUKES, BASE & WAR!" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING BEFORE A-BOMB DOME VARIOUS OF A-BOMB DOME
- Embargoed: 10th June 2016 13:59
- Keywords: protest Barack Obama Hiroshima Shinzo Abe atom bomb Japan
- Location: HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
- City: HIROSHIMA, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: G7,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0014JG1R9J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:With U.S. President Barack Obama set to make a historic visit to Hiroshima on Friday (May 27), dozens of Japanese protesters rallied in front of the city's iconic A-Bomb dome on Thursday (May 26) holding banner, "You're not welcomed here, Obama."
Obama will become the first incumbent U.S. leader to visit the site of the world's first atomic bombing, after attending the G7 summit in central Japanese cities of Ise and Shima.
Obama has said he will not apologise or address the debate on whether the Aug. 6, 1945, dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and on Nagasaki three days later was justified, but will honour all those who lost their lives in World War Two.
One of the 50 protesters - including labour union leaders, students, farmers and Hiroshima residents - said Obama is not apologizing to Japan for evil reason.
"Of course he will not apologise; simply because if he does, the U.S. cannot use the nuclear weapon again. I believe he's not apologising here to leave the possibility to use nuclear weapons open for the future," 22-year-old university student from Kyoto, Yohei Sakube said.
Most of Hiroshima residents and atomic bomb survivors are welcoming Obama's upcoming visit hoping the conciliatory move will help them heal.
Japan's Kyodo news agency said at least three atomic bomb survivors will attend an event in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on Friday where Obama will offer flowers to the cenotaph for a-bomb victims and give short speech.
He will be accompanied by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the visit. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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