As you'll almost certainly be aware (given the fairly extensive publicity), it's 70 years since the US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Here's a snapshot of US and Japanese public opinion on the issue - both then and now.
(All Polls involve a representative sample from throughout the US or Japan, unless otherwise stated)
US Public Opinion - Then
(1) Gallup Poll (Aug 1945)
(Representative sample of 1000 Americans, conducted August 10-15 1945 - immediately after the bombing)
Question: Do you Approve or Disapprove of using the new atomic bomb on Japanese cities ?
Approve 85%
Disapprove 10%
No Opinion 5%
(Source suggests little variation of opinion among various demographics, although slightly higher Approval of the bombing among both Males and the University-Educated)
(2) National Opinion Research Centre Poll (Sep 1945)
Question: If you had been the one to decide whether or not to use the atomic bomb against Japan, which one of these things do you think you would have done ?
Wiped out as many Cities as possible 23%*
Bombed One City at a Time 44%**
(Combined=67%)
Bombed where there were No People 26%
Refused to Use 4%
Don't Know 2%
* Extreme Hawkish Position=Belief that US should have dropped atomic bombs on many Japanese cities
** Supports the action taken=Bombing Hiroshima and then Nagasaki
(3) Roper-Fortune Poll (Nov 1945)
Answers to Question One: (Wording of Question not given by Source)
We should have quickly used many more of the bombs before Japan had a chance to surrender 23%*
We should have used the two bombs on cities, just as we did 54%**
(Combined=77%)
We should have dropped one on some unpopulated region, to show the Japanese its power, and dropped the second one on a city only if they hadn't surrendered after the first one 14%
We should not have used any atomic bombs at all 5%
Don't Know 6%
* Extreme Hawkish Position=Belief that US should have dropped atomic bombs on many Japanese cities
** Supports the action taken=Bombing Hiroshima and then Nagasaki
(In contrast to the Gallup Poll of Aug 1945, the Roper-Fortune suggested the more Highly-Educated favoured more restraint in using the bomb, and that the Lowest Income group was the most hawkish with 30% favouring the 'many bombs' option. Black Americans constituted a major exception amongst the poor, being more dovish)
Answers to Question Two:
The Bombing Shortened the War by:
More than a year 18%
6 months to a year 36%
2 - 5 months 17%
1 month or less 10%
Did not shorten War 8%
Don't Know 11%
US Public Opinion - Now
Be aware that some of these Poll options are slanted - solidly grounded in a particular interpretation of the US rationale behind the atomic bombing. For example, the 1965 Harris Poll ("to save American lives"), one of the two Gallup Polls of 1995 ("to force Japan to surrender") and so on. These privilege the Truman Orthodoxy favoured by the Orthodox School of American scholars (atomic bombing was necessary to save the lives of American servicemen from what might have been a costly invasion / to force Japanese surrender) and ignore the other side of a very lively, on-going historiographical debate - namely, the Revisionist School that argues that US leaders were well aware that Japan was near defeat and surrender, that they hence simply dropped the bombs on a large civilian population for ulterior motives and that this constitutes a massive war crime / genocide / crime against humanity. Regardless of the accuracy of their claims, the Orthodox School has been criticised for viewing the bombing in narrow military terms, oblivious to the broader significance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in human history.
The range of interpretations in terms of US motivations / rationale include: To avoid US casualties and force surrender (the Truman Orthodoxy), to revenge Pearl Harbour and Japanese atrocities against POWs, to intimidate the Soviets with an eye towards establishing America's post-war supremacy, to end the war with Japan before the Soviets entered (these last two constitute the Atomic Diplomacy thesis), to use the population of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a test lab for the new atomic weaponry (the Human Guinea-Pig Interpretation), traditional US anti-Asian racism (the Racial Interpretation) and so on. (although I should add that this doesn't even remotely do justice to the complexity of some of the theses put forward over the years).
(1) Harris Poll (1965)
US was Right to drop the atomic bomb on Japan to save American lives 70%
Regret it 17%
Don't Know 13%
(2) Harris-Asahi Shimbun Poll (1971)
Bombings of Hiroshima / Nagasaki
Could Not have been Helped 64%
Were a Mistake 21%
Don't Know 15%
(These findings were widely publicised in Japan and came as a profound shock to the Japanese public)
(3) Harris Poll (1986)
Bombings of Hiroshima / Nagasaki
Could Not have been Helped 67%
Were a Mistake 24%
Don't Know 9%
(somewhat lower approval / higher disapproval = among women, younger age-groups and non-whites - although even among these demographics, absolute majorities still approved (ie Chose the Could Not have been Helped option).
Attitudes to Pearl Harbour:
Entertain ill-feeling towards Japan about Pearl Harbour 43%
(No other data provided)
(4) Gallup Poll (1990)
Question: As you may know, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 near the end of World War II. Looking back, would you say you approve or disapprove of using the atomic bomb on Japanese cities in 1945 ?
Approve 53%
Disapprove 41%
No Opinion 6%
(5) Gallup Poll (1991)
Question: Same as 1990 Gallup Poll
Approve 53%
Disapprove 41%
No Opinion 6%
(6) New York Times-CBS News-Tokyo Broadcasting Poll (1991)
Atomic Bombing of Japan was:
An Acceptable Measure to End War 63%
A Wanton act of Mass Slaughter 29%
No Opinion 8%
Apology:
US Govt should formally apologise to Japan and its people for dropping atomic bombs 16%
(No other data given)
What if Japan apologises for the attack on Pearl Harbour ?:
Then US should apologise for dropping atomic bombs 34%
Should Not 42%
No Opinion 24%
(Main Source briefly mentions a fourth question on whether or not respondents accepted the 'Racial Interpretation' (ie Racism motivated 1945 atomic bombing of Japan). 8% of American respondents accepted this interpretation)
(Note: Some sources call this the 'Detroit Free Press Poll')
(7) Gallup Poll (1994)
Question: Same as 1990 Gallup Poll
Approve 55%
Disapprove 39%
No Opinion 6%
(8) Gallup Poll (1995)
Question: Same as 1990 Gallup Poll
Approve 59%
Disapprove 35%
No Opinion 6%
(Black Americans = 57% Disapprove / 31% Approve, Women = 47% Disapprove / 40% Approve, Young Adults = 49% Disapprove / 46% Approve, Poor = 44% Disapprove / 49% Approve, White Americans = 31% Disapprove / 64% Approve, Wealthy = 27% Disapprove / 69% Approve, Men = 23% Disapprove / 74% Approve, Elderly = 15% Disapprove / 80% Approve)
Question: Do you think dropping the atomic bombs saved American lives by shortening the War, or not ?
Yes 86%
No 7%
No Opinion 7%
Question: Do you think that dropping the atomic bombs saved more Japanese lives than would have been lost if the War had continued, or did dropping the bombs COST more Japanese lives ?
Saved 40%
Cost 45%
No Opinion 15%
(9) Gallup Poll (1995)
What would you have done ?:
Would have dropped the atom bomb 44%
Would have tried some other way to force Japan to surrender 49%
Unsure 7%
(Substantial two-to-one majorities of Women, Black Americans and Hispanics chose the Would have tried some other way option. In contrast, White Americans split evenly, while Men favoured dropping the bomb by a clear majority)
Should US formally apologise to Japan for dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?:
No 73%
Yes 20%
Don't Know 7%
(10) Gallup-USA Today Poll (1998)
Half of those Polled believed Truman should have pursued alternatives
(11) Gallup Poll (2005)
Question: Same as 1990 Gallup Poll
Approve 57%
Disapprove 38%
No Opinion 5%
(Approve: Gender: Male 73%, Female 42% / Party: Rep 73%, Ind 53%, Dem 47% / Party-by-Gender: Republican Male 87%, Female 60% / Independent Male 71%, Female 31% / Democrat Male 63%, Female 37% / Age: Under-50s 53%, 50+ 63%)
Question: Do you think dropping the atomic bombs saved American lives by shortening the War or not ?
Yes 80%
No 16%
No Opinion 4%
Question: Do you think that dropping the atomic bombs saved more Japanese lives than would have been lost if the War had continued, or did dropping the bombs COST more Japanese lives ?
Saved 41%
Cost 47%
No Opinion 12%
(12) NHK Poll (2005)
56% say Dropping Bombs on Hiroshima / Nagasaki was based on right judgement
(Age 60 + = 70%, Age 20-39 = 42%)
(13) Quinnipiac University Poll (2009)
1945 Atomic Bombing of Japan
Support 61%
Oppose 22%
Undecided 16%
(Support: Age 55+ = 73%, Age under 34 = 50%)
(14) Pew Research Centre Poll (2015)
Question: As you may know, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 near the end of World War II. Looking back, would you say using the atomic bomb on Japanese cities in 1945 was justified or was it not justified ?
Justified 56%
Not 34%
Don't Know 10%
(Justified: Gender: Male 62%, Female 50% / Party: Rep 74%, Dem 52% / Age: 65+ 70%, 18-29 47% / Ethnicity: White 65%, Non-White (including Hispanics) 40%)
Question: Overall, do you think that Japan has apologised sufficiently for its actions during World War II, that Japan has not apologised sufficiently, or do you think no apology is necessary ?
Not Sufficiently 29%
Sufficiently 37%
No apology necessary 24%
Don't Know 10%
(73% of Younger Americans chose either Sufficiently or No apology necessary compared to 50% of Older Americans)
Japanese Public Opinion - Then
We need, of course, to be extremely cautious about the results of polls and surveys conducted by the victors in war on the defeated or by the occupiers of a country on the occupied. As the United States Strategic Bombing Survey's report frankly admitted, these figures almost certainly underestimated hostility towards the US. The shock of the atomic bombing, the shock of final defeat, the very real threat of widespread starvation and weariness of the American occupiers no doubt greatly affected replies. The new censorship regime of the Occupation authorities went into effect in September 1945 and severely restricted information on and criticism of the atomic bombing and the devastation it wrought on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
(1) United States Strategic Bombing Survey (Oct 1945)
(Survey of 5000 Japanese Respondents, including a sub-sample of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Residents)
Hated Americans for having used the atomic bombs
12% (Entire Sample), 19% (Hiroshima and Nagasaki respondents only)
Where does responsibility for using the bombs lie ?:
Japan's Fault 35% (Entire Sample)
Neither side responsible (simply a consequence of war) 29% (Entire Sample)
(No more data given by source)
(2) United States Strategic Bombing Survey (1947)
Reaction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki respondents to US atomic bombing:
Terror 47%
Admiration (impressed by scientific power behind the bomb) 26%
Anger (Atomic Bomb is cruel/inhuman/barbarous) 17%
Fear (for own life) 16%
Jealousy (why couldn't Japan make such a bomb ?) 3%
Hatred of US 2%
No Response 11%
(Note: It beggars belief that, for 26% of Hiroshima and Nagasaki residents, the strongest reaction to the atomic annihilation of their city was "Admiration" (or "Jealousy" = 3%). These figures might better be interpreted as the proportion of residents who either feared the US occupying authorities or were particularly ambitious to get on under the new regime. You also have to wonder at a US regime that, having dropped atomic bombs on two cities, then interviews surviving victims, asking how they felt about it and includes "Admiration" and "Jealousy" as two viable options)
Japanese Public Opinion - Now
(1) Mainichi Shimbun Poll (1970)
1945 Atomic Bomb
Moderately Disapprove of its use 14%
Should never have been used on Japan 61%
(No further data given)
Who is to Blame ?:
Blame Japanese Leaders 19%
Blame US Leaders 38%
(No further data from source)
(2) Chugoku-Shimbun Poll (1971)
(Poll of Hiroshima Residents only)
Blame Japanese Govt and Military 10%
Blame US President Truman personally 10%
Blame US Govt and Military 21%
(Source gives no indication of the options chosen by remaining 59%)
(3) New York Times-CBS News-Tokyo Broadcasting Poll (1991)
Atomic Bombing of Japan was:
An Acceptable Measure to End War 29%
A Wanton act of Mass Slaughter 64%
No Opinion 7%
(Almost the exact reverse of US opinion in the same Poll)
View of US as a result:
Hold it against the US for dropping atomic bombs 50%
(No other data given)
Apology:
US Govt should formally apologise to Japan and its people for dropping atomic bombs 73%
(38% of Japanese Respondents in this Poll accepted the 'Racial Interpretation' of the bombing / 31% rejected it)
(Note: Some sources call this the 'Detroit Free Press Poll')
(4) Asahi-Shimbun Poll (2005)
(Large-Scale 13,000+ survey of surviving Hiroshima and Nagasaki victims (Hibakusha). About 60% from Hiroshima/40% from Nagasaki)
Both US and Japan to Blame "Nearly Half"
US solely responsible 28%
(Source gives no indication of choice of remainder)
(5) Pew Research Centre Poll (2015)
Question: As you may know, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 near the end of World War II. Looking back, would you say using the atomic bomb on Japanese cities in 1945 was justified or was it not justified ?
Justified 14%
Not 79%
Don't Know 7%
Question: Overall, do you think that Japan has apologised sufficiently for its actions during World War II, that Japan has not apologised sufficiently, or do you think no apology is necessary ?
Not Sufficiently 28%
Sufficiently 48%
No apology necessary 15%
Don't Know 9%
Surveys of US and Japanese Students
(1) Polls of Japanese Junior High School Students in Hiroshima (1987) (1989) (2005)
1945 Atomic Bombing:
Could Not be helped because it was wartime / was needed to hasten the end of war
15% (1987), 21% (1989), 25% (2005)
Should Not be forgiven for humanitarian reasons 70% (1987), 55% (1989)
(2) Survey of US and Japanese University Students (2005)
1945 Atomic Bombing:
Could Not be helped (required in order to save American lives) 71% (US), 17% (Japan)
Accept racial interpretation of bombing (US racist motives) 35% (US), 45% (Japan)
Reasons for US dropping Atomic Bombs on Japan:
(Japanese Students)
Top choice: To test the destructive power of the atomic bomb
2nd choice: To pressure the Soviet Union by a display of power
3rd choice: To end the War before Soviet entry (into US / Japanese Theatre of War)
(US Students)
Top choice (overwhelming majority): To avoid US casualties
2nd choice: To pay back for Pearl Harbour
Should US apologise to Japan for 1945 Atomic Bombing:
(asked of US Students only)
Yes 39%
Yes but only if Japan apologises for Pearl Harbour 32%
( = 71%)
