Key Facts
• Pew Research Center conducted a survey marking 80 years since Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.
• U.S. opinions on the bombings are divided, with ‘cannot justify’ gaining traction.
• 2015 vs. 2025: ‘Cannot justify’ now rivals ‘can justify’ in responses.
• Younger generations show higher opposition to justification of the bombings.
• Knowledge of atomic bomb realities remains similar to 20 years ago.
• Polarization among youth noted; not all Gen Z aligns with liberal views.
• Concerns over youth rightward shift ahead of 2024 U.S. presidential election.
• Many agree nuclear weapons make the world less safe, but fewer see U.S. as less safe.
• Lack of awareness about 1,030 U.S. nuclear tests and their impacts persists.
• ‘Pax Americana’ nuclear deterrence theory remains widely accepted in the U.S.
Summary
A Pew Research Center survey, conducted 80 years after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, reveals a growing divide in U.S. public opinion on the justification of the atomic bombings. Notably, younger generations increasingly oppose justification, aligning with the experiences of Professor Yuki Miyamoto, who has taught nuclear ethics for over 20 years. However, concerns remain about the depth of knowledge regarding the bombings’ realities. The survey also highlights youth polarization, with some Gen Z members leaning conservative, raising questions about their influence on the 2024 U.S. presidential election. While many agree nuclear weapons make the world less safe, fewer believe they endanger U.S. security, reflecting limited awareness of the impacts of over 1,000 U.S. nuclear tests and the dominance of the ‘Pax Americana’ nuclear deterrence narrative.
