From Hiroshima to the Big Screen: ‘Oppenheimer’ Stirs Controversy among the Japanese

The Oscar-winning film “Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan, has finally premiered in Japan after more than eight months since its global debut in 2023. However, the film’s release in the only country ever attacked with nuclear weapons has been met with mixed reactions and high emotions.

A Sensitive Subject Matter

• Historical Context: Japan, the nation that experienced the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 79 years ago, approaches this film with trepidation due to the sensitivity of the subject matter.
• J. Robert Oppenheimer: The film centers around J. Robert Oppenheimer, often called “the father of the atomic bomb” for leading the Manhattan Project. His role in developing the nuclear weapons that caused immense destruction weighs heavily on Japanese viewers.

What the Film Omits

• Ground Reality: “Oppenheimer” does not directly depict the horrifying scenes on the ground when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The film instead focuses on Oppenheimer as a person and his internal conflicts.
• Criticism from Hiroshima: Former Hiroshima Mayor Takashi Hiraoka criticized the film for not sufficiently depicting the horror of nuclear weapons. He believes that the film was made to validate the conclusion that the atomic bomb was used to save American lives.

Mixed Reactions

• Emotional Impact: Japanese filmgoers’ reactions have been highly emotional. Some praised the film’s depiction of Oppenheimer’s inner turmoil.
• Critical Voices: Others, like Toshiyuki Mimaki, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, expressed disappointment that the actual bombing scenes were not shown. He questioned Japan’s decision to start a war it could never hope to win.

Controversy and Historical Memory

• Marketing Backlash: Last year, a marketing phenomenon called “Barbenheimer,” merging the playful “Barbie” with the intense “Oppenheimer,” sparked controversy. Warner Bros. Japan apologized after memes depicted the Mattel doll with atomic blast imagery.
• An American Conscience: Kazuhiro Maeshima, a professor specializing in U.S. politics, views the film as an expression of “an American conscience.”

The Oscar-winning film “Oppenheimer” navigates a delicate historical landscape, evoking powerful emotions and sparking critical discussions about the use of nuclear weapons.