Letter: We need to be reconciled with Japan, not apologetic

Here we go again ... Obama is on another magical mystery tour, this time to Hiroshima. His visit allows “progressives” to accuse America of being the villain again. I am for resolution, not apologies. The way to balance a visit such as this is for him to also visit Okinawa.

In 1945 as American forces were advancing on Japan, the Emperor ordered the inhabitants of Okinawa to “defend the island to the death.” He did so in order to demonstrate to the Japanese people what was expected of them when Japan was invaded. The result was what Winston Churchill called “the worst battle of World War II” — 12,000 Americans were killed and more than 150,000 Okinawans, one quarter of the population. Women and children were told to commit suicide by jumping off the cliffs at Mabuni; surrender was unthinkable to the Emperor. Mr. President, please visit those cliffs.

President Truman ended the war by the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and saved millions of lives. The Allies were planning Operation Downfall to invade Japan. It was estimated that this invasion would result in the deaths of more than 5 million people. My father was part of that operation. He most assuredly would not have returned.

I have been to Japan more than 50 times and have a friend who was born in Nagasaki and suffers from radiation sickness. He once said: “America did the right thing.” We need to be reconciled with Japan, but not apologize ... and make sure that it never happens again.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Letter: We need to be reconciled with Japan, not apologetic."