80 Years Later, Tokyo Bombing Survivors Demand Justice and Compensation

Eighty years ago, on March 10, 1945, the U.S. launched a devastating firebombing raid on Tokyo, killing over 100,000 people in a single night and reducing downtown Tokyo to ashes. The survivors of this tragedy are now demanding justice and compensation from the Japanese government.

The firebombing of Tokyo was a catastrophic event that inflicted damage comparable to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few months later. However, unlike the atomic bombing survivors, the victims of the Tokyo firebombing have not received any government aid or widespread recognition.

A group of survivors, now in their 80s and 90s, are making a last-ditch effort to share their stories and push for financial assistance and recognition. They are seeking compensation for the suffering they endured and the losses they incurred during the war.

The Japanese government has allocated 60 trillion yen ($405 billion) in welfare support for military veterans and bereaved families, as well as medical support for survivors of the atomic bombings. However, civilian victims of the U.S. fire bombings have received nothing. The survivors are renewing their demands for compensation, but their efforts have been met with opposition from some ruling party members. A proposal for a one-time payment of 500,000 yen ($3,380) was drafted in 2020, but it has stalled due to lack of support.

For survivors like Shizuyo Takeuchi, 94, and Yumi Yoshida, who lost her parents and sister in the bombing, this is their last chance to seek justice and compensation. They hope that their stories will be heard and that they will receive the recognition and support they deserve.