ABSTRACT
The controversy provided a window on the gap between scholarly understanding of atomic issues and official narratives on the atomic bombing. Plans to reveal the human consequences of the bomb and to explore alternatives to it were scrapped. The reasoning behind the resolution was that World War II was a "good war" that America fought in response to Japanese aggression, and that the atomic bombing that ended the war was fully justified. President Clinton rubbed salt into the wound for many Japanese and for all hibakusha by stating, "The United States does not need to apologize to Japan for dropping the bomb. The victims of atomic bombs have much greater medical expenses than those who might have injuries or permanent disabilities arising from conventional weapons." The proceeds were contributed to the Hibakusha Travel Fund, to support survivors' trips to Japan for medical care.
