
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 6, 1994                   TAG: 9408080031
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HIROSHIMA, JAPAN                                 LENGTH: Short

HIROSHIMA FACES UP TO WAR ROLE

Hiroshima long has been a shrine to victims of the world's first atomic attack, which occurred 49 years ago today. But now, the city is painfully coming to grips with its role in Japan's war effort.

For the first time, the city's Peace Memorial Museum has moved to address the issue of Japan's wartime aggression. This year, it added a new wing with exhibits that challenge - if cautiously - the city's traditional view of itself as a blameless victim.

On display since June are photographs of Korean and Chinese laborers enslaved by Japan during the war, and the shipyards and factories of Hiroshima that helped drive the Imperial Army's war machine.

``The city decided on the new wing because it helps us understand the events which led up to the bombing,'' said Shinji Asakawa of the mayor's office.

Conflicting feelings about Hiroshima commemorations are part of a larger argument over Japan's war role. The country long has averted its eyes from its wartime past.

Although the museum's depictions of Japan's war role represent a new level of frankness, they hardly amount to a denunciation of wartime militarism.

In the new museum wing, one exhibit refers to the war on China as an ``advance.'' And the emperor, in whose name the war was fought, is not mentioned.

Perhaps because of that, the right wing has raised no serious objections to the new displays.

Survivors groups also appeared ready to accept change in the depiction of the bombing, despite their deeply felt contention that nothing could justify the horror that was inflicted on the city.

by CNB