Japanese Saw Early Scripts for A-Bomb Exhibit
The Smithsonian Institution allowed Japanese officials an early glimpse at scripts for a much-disputed exhibit on the atomic bombing of Japan in 1945, Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Tex.) said Monday.
Johnson provided minutes from a July 5, 1994, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum senior staff meeting that indicate communications with Japan over the script for “The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb And The End Of World War II.”
The minutes read: “The Japanese version of ‘The Last Act’ script has been Federal Expressed to Japan, asking for a quick response.”
Air and Space Museum spokesman Mike Fetters acknowledged that at least three versions of the script were sent to city officials in Nagasaki and Hiroshima. But Fetters denied that the Japanese were allowed to make any changes.
Johnson still questioned the propriety of the Smithsonian’s actions, saying the institution was allowing the Japanese input that it didn’t provide to U.S. veterans groups.
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