This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6189489.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nagasaki bombing labelled a crime Nagasaki bombing labelled a crime
(about 15 hours later)
One of Japan's most senior politicians has said the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945 was impermissible from a humanitarian point of view.One of Japan's most senior politicians has said the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945 was impermissible from a humanitarian point of view.
Shoichi Nakagawa, the policy chief of the governing party, said that the use of atomic weapons was a crime.Shoichi Nakagawa, the policy chief of the governing party, said that the use of atomic weapons was a crime.
Mr Nakagawa has attracted controversy recently, calling for a debate on whether Japan should have nuclear arms. He raised the possibility that North Koreans might try to attack Japan with their own nuclear weapons. Mr Nakagawa has attracted controversy recently, calling for a debate on whether Japan should have nuclear arms.
He raised the possibility that North Koreans might try to attack Japan with their own nuclear weapons.
Speaking in Nagasaki over the weekend, Mr Nakagawa - a right-winger - said that atomic bombings were a crime. The American decision to drop the atomic bomb was truly impermissible on humanitarian grounds, he said.Speaking in Nagasaki over the weekend, Mr Nakagawa - a right-winger - said that atomic bombings were a crime. The American decision to drop the atomic bomb was truly impermissible on humanitarian grounds, he said.
He repeated the comments on Monday, telling Reuters news agency: "By dropping two atomic bombs, many people, including ordinary citizens, were killed... I believe that such an act can be called a crime."He repeated the comments on Monday, telling Reuters news agency: "By dropping two atomic bombs, many people, including ordinary citizens, were killed... I believe that such an act can be called a crime."
Stronger stanceStronger stance
After the nuclear attacks in 1945, the Japanese wartime government condemned the bombings as crimes against international law.After the nuclear attacks in 1945, the Japanese wartime government condemned the bombings as crimes against international law.
But later on the authorities gave up any idea of pursuing the issue of criminality.But later on the authorities gave up any idea of pursuing the issue of criminality.
Today the phrase the government more often uses to describe the attack is "regrettable".Today the phrase the government more often uses to describe the attack is "regrettable".
Mr Nakagawa appears to be going further, saying they were impermissible on humanitarian grounds.Mr Nakagawa appears to be going further, saying they were impermissible on humanitarian grounds.
Analysts say that Mr Nakagawa might have made the comments to simply acknowledge the understandable concern there might be in Nagasaki about his calls for a debate about nuclear weapons, and that this was an attempt to allay those fears with a strong condemnation of the use of the atomic bomb.Analysts say that Mr Nakagawa might have made the comments to simply acknowledge the understandable concern there might be in Nagasaki about his calls for a debate about nuclear weapons, and that this was an attempt to allay those fears with a strong condemnation of the use of the atomic bomb.
"Nakagawa must have said what he said in Nagasaki with a desire to 'nuance' his repeated statements that there was nothing wrong for Japan to have a debate on itself going nuclear - and make it more acceptable," said Koichi Nakano from Sophia University."Nakagawa must have said what he said in Nagasaki with a desire to 'nuance' his repeated statements that there was nothing wrong for Japan to have a debate on itself going nuclear - and make it more acceptable," said Koichi Nakano from Sophia University.
At the same time, though, he points out that Mr Nakagawa's reference to a war crime by the Americans that was never really persecuted is a favourite theme of right-wingers in Japan. At the same time, though, he points out that Mr Nakagawa's reference to a war crime by the Americans that was never really prosecuted is a favourite theme of right-wingers in Japan.
The politician's comments were probably intended simply for a local audience and were not thought likely to be picked up elsewhere.The politician's comments were probably intended simply for a local audience and were not thought likely to be picked up elsewhere.
Mr Nakagawa also used his speech to warn of the threat posed by North Korea.Mr Nakagawa also used his speech to warn of the threat posed by North Korea.
"There exists a country that appears likely to use them if it does not like something," he said."There exists a country that appears likely to use them if it does not like something," he said.
"Japan should do its utmost to ensure that no weapon of mass destruction can be used ever again.""Japan should do its utmost to ensure that no weapon of mass destruction can be used ever again."