Resignation Kyūma resigned as Defense Minister on 3 July 2007 for remarks made at Reitaku University in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture on 30 June. In this speech, he stated "I now have come to accept in my mind that in order to end the war, it could not be helped that an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and that countless numbers of people suffered great tragedy." He appeared on a Fuji TV morning news show on 1 July, saying he did not think an apology would be necessary, but he apologized later the same day. When this would not calm the critics, Kyūma finally submitted his resignation on 3 July. Japan News Review "Kyūma steps down over A-bomb gaffe" 3 July 2007 Asked about the reason for his resignation, Kyūma is quoted as saying that he did not want his comments to become a "minus" for the Prime Minister."Kyuma's excuse: 'It can't be helped' is often said in Kyushu dialect", japannewsreview.com, 3 July 2007. Yuriko Koike was appointed his successor the same day. "Yuriko Koike appointed new Defence Minister" , japannewsreview.com; accessed 18 June 2015.
Resignation Kyūma resigned as Defense Minister on 3 July 2007 for remarks made at Reitaku University in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture on 30 June. In this speech, he stated "I now have come to accept in my mind that in order to end the war, it could not be helped that an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and that countless numbers of people suffered great tragedy." He appeared on a Fuji TV morning news show on 1 July, saying he did not think an apology would be necessary, but he apologized later the same day. When this would not calm the critics, Kyūma finally submitted his resignation on 3 July. Asked about the reason for his resignation, Kyūma is quoted as saying that he did not want his comments to become a "minus" for the Prime Minister."Kyuma's excuse: 'It can't be helped' is often said in Kyushu dialect", japannewsreview.com, 3 July 2007. Yuriko Koike was appointed his successor the same day. "Yuriko Koike appointed new Defence Minister" , japannewsreview.com; accessed 18 June 2015.
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Japan News Review "Kyūma steps down over A-bomb gaffe" 3 July 2007