Japanese reaction to 'Oppenheimer': 'Would they want to see the tragic consequences?'

The biographical film Oppenheimer, which tells the life story of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, won 7 Oscars at the US Academy Awards this weekend after grossing 954 million dollars worldwide.

However, the film was not released in Japan, the only country to have been subjected to nuclear bombs following US attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki toward the end of World War II.

The film, which depicts the process of a group of scientists designing the atomic bomb, was released in many countries in July 2023, but will meet audiences in Japan at the end of this month.

It is stated that the film's release in Japan was delayed due to debates over its content and promotion, as it has been criticized for "covering up the human cost" of the atomic bomb.

Japanese citizens are reacting to the fact that the film "Oppenheimer," which tells the story of the development of the atomic bomb that leveled their cities 78 years ago, has received awards.

Most of the Japanese people who spoke to the AA reporter, giving only their surnames, stated that any assessments made before watching the film, which will be released in their country on March 29, would be insufficient.

WOULD THEY WANT TO SEE THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES?

Stationer Nagai argued that the US used atomic bombs during the war to conduct experiments on the Japanese people.

Regarding the possibility that foreign tourists might increase their interest in Hiroshima after watching the film, Nagai said, "It's hard to say, but would (the viewers) want to see the tragic consequences of the atomic bomb? I don't think so." Nagai added that he does not intend to watch the film.

"THEY MIGHT WANT TO VISIT"

Greengrocer Makabe said he had seen advertisements for the film's release at the end of the month but did not want to watch it.

Makabe said, "If people can understand the horror of the damage caused by the atomic bomb by watching the film, perhaps they might want to visit Hiroshima."

Regarding whether the film could reignite debates over nuclear weapons, Makabe said, "(The film) will trigger questions about the necessity of atomic bombs." Makabe noted that the tragic consequences the atomic bomb caused in his country at that time are still not fully realized.

"I BELIEVE I WOULD FEEL BAD"

Kobayashi, who was born in 1942 during World War II, said he personally lived through those years, which he described as "hardship and poverty," and that he considers everything related to "nuclear weapons" unnecessary.

Noting that the Japanese people have "learned their lesson" from the atomic bomb, which he described as "terrible," Kobayashi said, "I believe I would feel bad if I watched (the film)."

Noting that he has been to the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Kobayashi expressed that he finds it important for people to feel on-site "how terrible a thing" the atomic bomb is, if they have the opportunity.

"Modern Japanese youth do not know these facts and will probably watch the film. Young people watch the film and experience feelings like 'it was magnificent, it was good, but the atomic bomb was terrible'," said Kobayashi, adding that he wants young people to also think about the realities of war.

"IT SHOULD NOT EVEN BE ON THE AGENDA"

A Japanese dry cleaner who did not want to give his name stated that he hates conflicts and wars, saying, "It's a film about nuclear weapons. This subject should not even be on the agenda."

Arguing that the film winning 7 awards stems from "people's lack of awareness," the Japanese citizen said he would not watch the film when it is released and that Japanese youth should not watch it either.