"LA Feels Like Hiroshima Hit by Atomic Bomb"…Japanese Netizens Outraged by US Anchor's Remarks

Fox News Anchor Sparks Controversy During LA Wildfire Special
"Some Areas Look Like Hiroshima"
Japanese Critics Say, "Insensitive to Atomic Bomb Victims"

As large wildfires continue to spread in Los Angeles (LA), California, USA, a news anchor in the United States has sparked controversy by comparing the situation to Hiroshima, Japan, immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped. On the 12th, some scenes reported by the US Fox News channel regarding the LA wildfire drew criticism on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter).

On the 11th (local time), Jesse Waters, the main anchor of Fox News Channel's LA wildfire special report in the United States, made a remark comparing the damage to Hiroshima from the atomic bomb. Fox News broadcast screen

The problematic remark came from Jesse Waters, the main anchor during Fox News' wildfire special report on the 11th (local time). Waters said, "At least 11 people have died and many more are missing due to this wildfire. An area larger than San Francisco has been destroyed," adding, "Some parts of LA look like Hiroshima right after the atomic bomb was dropped." When Waters made this statement, the on-screen caption read, "Some parts of LA look like Hiroshima," and a photo comparing the affected areas of LA with historical images of Hiroshima appeared side by side.

While the intention seemed to be to highlight the severity of the wildfire damage by comparing it to Hiroshima during World War II, critical voices emerged among Japanese netizens. They argued that the report overlooked the victims still suffering from the "atomic bomb trauma." Responses on X included comments such as "An apology should be made to Hiroshima," "The wildfire should not be compared to the atomic bomb," "The atomic bombing was a war crime by the US, and the LA fire is also the US's fault," and "People had time to escape the wildfire, but the people of Hiroshima could not flee."

According to local US authorities, four wildfires are currently ongoing within LA County, with the affected area reaching 156.3 km². This is more than a quarter of the size of Seoul (605.2 km²). The LA County Coroner's Office reported that at least 16 people have died?5 from the Palisades fire and 6 from the Eaton fire?with 13 missing, and approximately 12,300 buildings have been destroyed in this disaster.