1. Introduction

The decision to consider the usage of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945 has been a major debated topic. A few arguments have stated that it was required to end WWII or World War II immediately so that American lives could be saved and there would be a chance to potentially prevent casualties from an invasion (Stafford & Flatley, 2018).

On the contrary, the other arguments state that the bombings were not needed, and these can be considered immoral as well as war crimes. These incidents have raised major ethical concerns related to the use of these weapons.

2. Discussion

2.1 Reasons for Dropping the Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

A few reasons have been identified for dropping the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first significant argument or reason would be that the bomb was made for defence only. A Hungarian physicist, Szilard, considered the feasibility to use nuclear chain reactions for creating new, as well as powerful bombs (Reasons Against Dropping the Atomic Bomb. 2025). His selected metal was Uranium to produce a nuclear chain reaction. However, Germany stopped the exportation of uranium after 1938.

Szilard had the concern that Germany was making an atomic bomb, and the US did not take any steps in managing the issue. As a result, he worked with Einstein and gained permission for creating the Manhattan Project. The reason stated by the US government was that the atomic bomb was created for a defensive weapon, and it was supposed to be used for dealing with enemies such as Germany (Reasons Against Dropping the Atomic Bomb. 2025).

On the contrary, this particular argument can be contradicted by the aspect that the usage of a bomb can be termed illegal. The main reason is that it was stated that any attack on civilians without prior notification can be termed illegal and immoral in any war. The same was expected from the usage of atomic weapons in 1945 (Reasons Against Dropping the Atomic Bomb. 2025). A special classification of several illegal weapons has been identified, called WMD or Weapons of Mass Destruction.

An interlinked argument that is related to the legal aspects of the usage of atomic weapons is that it can be stated that the usage of these bombs was racially motivated. The US President Truman considered the decision of using atomic bombs and which was associated with racism (Truman, H.S. 1945). The main reason is that the enemies of the country were caricatured and stereotyped, and a question was raised against their political leadership. As a result, anti-Japanese racism was prevalent in American society, and these individuals targeted them, which led to an increased hatred towards the country.

The next argument that can be linked to the usage of atomic bombs is that there were multiple alternatives (Reasons Against Dropping the Atomic Bomb. 2025). For example, the US could have considered a demonstration of the bomb, or they could have waited for the Russians for any other option. Moreover, the US military could have let the Japanese keep their emperor by modifying the distinctive demand for unconditional surrender.

2.2 Justification of the Use of Atomic Weapons on Japan in 1945

After considering the reasons and counter-arguments, it can be stated that a few reasons even supported the usage of atomic weapons on Japan. For example, these weapons were responsible for saving several American lives (The Atomic Bomb: Arguments in Support Of The Decision. 2025). Due to the advancement of techniques used in these weapons, the Japanese army has not been successful in showing its skills and weapons. As a result, an unfair approach was considered by the US army that did not provide adequate opportunities to their enemy.

This particular argument can be linked with the next statement that the usage was required for shortening the war (The Atomic Bomb: Arguments in Support Of The Decision. 2025). Several army men of the US died in the war, and the approach to using these weapons helped them in shortening the war eventually. However, despite having an intention to end the war, the US cannot be justified as a fair game was not identified. The involvement of atomic bombs even led to the Cold War from 1945 to 1960.

3. Conclusion

Hence, from the arguments, it can be concluded that the usage of atomic weapons cannot be justified in Japan in 1945, as these were responsible for multiple casualties. Moreover, these weapons even increased the speed of the war with the demonstration of the US military’s strength, and it did not provide an opportunity for Japan to show their strength.

The bombings were a demonstration of the US’s power that might have deterred Soviet expansion after the war. Moreover, ethical and moral concerns were identified in the approach, thus, the arguments for not justifying the usage are higher in number.

References

Reasons Against Dropping the Atomic Bomb. (2025). [online]. Accessed from https://www.historyonthenet.com/reasons-against-dropping-the-atomic-bomb [Accessed on 20th April 2025].

Stafford, D., & Flatley, R. (2018). Openstax. The Charleston Advisor, 20(1), 48-51. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/annurev/tca/2018/00000020/00000001/art00012 

The Atomic Bomb: Arguments in Support Of The Decision. (2025). [online]. Accessed from https://www.historyonthenet.com/decision-use-atomic-bomb-arguments-support [Accessed on 20th April 2025].

Truman, H.S. (1945). Statement by the President Announcing the Use of the A-Bomb at Hiroshima. https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/public-papers/93/statement-president-announcing-use-bomb-hiroshima