Hot Is the Wind

Hot Is The Wind One night can change things forever. Like the night the Americans came. One survivor went through hell to live. When the sirens went off, people pulled blankets over their heads rather than go to the freezing shelters. Then the bombers arrived overhead. They didn't miss. It was a hauntingly beautiful sight. The city, Tokyo, on fire. Glowing red in the night. Being destroyed by fire bombs. No mercy on the exhausted inhabitants, for it was total war to the death, that cold winter's day. Those who were quick ran for their lives. They had a chance to live. Taking themselves, a few possessions and fleeing their homes. Traditional Japanese homes of wood and paper, amongst which was small factories. All were targets hit without mercy. That night changed everything. Worst air raid of the entire war. It was justifiable then. And now? One survivor remembers and fears Japan will fight future wars. Will it be like back then? People treated as 'weeds' with a divine wind saving them? Make the nation strong, don't appease China or anyone else. Arming Japan, new laws to allow war, repressing the population. Step by step to Armageddon. Saotome remembers the night on fire, a hideous wind, running by the train track as bombs fell. He wanted only to live. Before dawn they reached the river. When the sun rose, their city was gone. What did being taught to hate, that killing their enemy was right and the 'kamikaze' divine wind would annihilate all before them, achieve? That war was a thief, stealing Saotome's childhood and killing his friends that night. Japan had to win that war or it would be death and dishonour. When the war was over, the Emperor spoke on the radio. Something unheard of. Would he ask us all to die? Saotome knew their divine wind had forsaken them. It was March 10 1945. 100,000 people died. Fire bombed by the B-29s. Will politicians who avoid talking about the past lead to apathy and war today? As Saotome said: "I didn't know if I was really running or if I was in a dream, if I was flying through space. It still gives me goosebumps." "Those of us who survived have a duty to become a voice for the voiceless." "If I'm quiet, it means I've accepted the situation. If we don't speak up, the past will be made to disappear."