File:J-cenotaph.jpg

English: Hiroshima atomic bomb memorial cenotaph. Photographed by Sekicho and released into the public domain.

"Rest in peace, for _____ will not repeat the mistake"

It is noteworthy that though the original Japanese is ambiguous about the subject, the sentence is not passive.

Controversy

Over the years there has been some controversy over the meaning of the inscription on the Hiroshima cenotaph, particularly in regards as to what the 'mistake' was and who would be making the pledge.

Pro peace camps have taken the inscription to be a message pledging that Japan will not repeat its acts of historic aggression, while anti-Japanese camps Japanese regard the inscription as reading that Japan will not repeat the mistakes that lead to its defeat and/or the bombing of Hiroshima.

An alternative translation of the above reads

"Let all the souls here rest in peace; For we shall not repeat the transgression."

Cenotaph, Hiroshima.

Anti-Militarism

Supporters of the inscription being a statement against militarism and war have drawn attention to the links between the cenotaph and Hiroshima's former Mayor, Hamai Shinzo, who is thought to have heavily influenced its wording.

"Everyone visiting and praying before the Cenotaph takes part of responsibility for the past evil [comitted by Japan] by means of making an apology for it, and taking a pledge never again to repeat the same sin [of militarism and aggression].

浜井信三 (Hamai Shinzo), Mayor of Hiroshima, (1947- 1955, 1959-1967)

Supporters of the engraving being anti-militaristic also point towards several attempts by nationalists who have, on at least two separate occasions, attempted to vandalize the cenotaph by removing the word 'mistake' from it.