Operation PX - WW2 Japanese Bio-Weapon Attack on America (Episode 2)

[@messmeister92]

Meanwhile in US secret weapons testing: We see your infected fleas, and raise you *INCENDIARY BATS.*

[@AA-ke5cu]

And trained pigeons to guide missiles; savages that have the mentality of a grape.

[@worddunlap]

@@AA-ke5cu and raise you a human guided torpedo, missile...In the next 2 decades we send a chimp and dog into space...

[@AA-ke5cu]

We are not as advanced as we think we are. So we scoff at ufo's that fly circles around our antiquated flying machines; buzz our ships and fly in and out of our oceans; while we start the next asinine war to apease global elites; war profiteers and weapons contractors. Real smart.

[@korbell1089]

Hey, don't laugh because they worked!...of course they burned down the facility that they were being tested at BUT they did work!

[@misfit666_usmc6]

I'll raise you the US Navy proposed Cat Bomb

[@cbbees1468]

Early enough that Herman Goering can still fit in the cockpit of the ME-109.

[@johnmn3500]

Haha

[@deback4949]

Wow u are telling me he even fit in to a 109 at one point 😂

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

@@deback4949 Yes, during WWI.

[@AA-ke5cu]

Me109-f

[@deback4949]

@@Taistelukalkkuna also did not know they had 109's in ww1 😂

[@wilhelmvillagracia9670]

The man the legend, is back to give us the little bits of forgotten history we missed in school.

[@couchcamperTM]

about 90%. we learned shit...

[@wilhelmvillagracia9670]

@@couchcamperTM that's public school system for you..

[@1Dropboys]

Can't learn what they don't teach. KZbin is the best learning platform, I'm thankful for all of these wonderful teachers

[@jimc.goodfellas]

The Man the Myth the Mark

[@hammadshami6423]

No school could go such deep! Love this man!

[@chuichinagumo7145]

I actually remember bringing this up about a year ago during my AP History classes debate regarding total war against japan. My teacher discounted it because he hadn’t heard of it, assuming it was more of a conspiracy than anything else.

[@barrykevin7658]

Teachers are still learning all the time .He or She should never discount something especially if you had some facts to show them .But in their defence there is a lot of crap online. (Conspiracy theories etc) which must drive them mad .

[@77thTrombone]

@@barrykevin7658 I agree with your points. Good on Chūichi for bringing it up. _"Even though all the history is in the past, there is a lot to keep up with."_ - famous quotation *by me,* April 5, 2021. (Tho as I write this, I get a feeling that Will Rogers or Mark Twain may have said something very similar.)

[@LTPottenger]

There was no reason to nuke japan which was starving and only surrendered because the russians started to invade anyway. Only for politics were those young children and old women murdered.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Wouldn't it be nice to have a history teacher that is qualified to teach history.

[@qtig9490]

@@LTPottenger Wrong there was every reason to use the atomic bombs on them. By most accounts it saved a million American lives and most of the population of Japan. They were convincing school children to charge tanks with sharpened bamboo sticks. Spare us your revisionist wokeism its laughable.

[@sarjim4381]

Operation PX wasn't cancelled because of a sudden pang of conscience among the high command. It was cancelled because what would have been a small biological warfare strike against the US would have invited a rain of similar biological weapons against Japan's cities, a raid the Japanese were incapable of stopping.

[@joshuaortiz2031]

plus the allies had much better antibiotics so using bacteria like anthrax or plague wouldnt have done much damage to the support to the American war effort in US west coast cities. The japanese would have had a much harder time dealing with a biological warfare attack against their own population.

[@jwenting]

the US had no operational biological weapons (there were experiments, but nothing ready for operational use). They did however have large stockpiles of chemical weapons. Whether the Japanese knew this is of course questionable.

[@jwenting]

@@joshuaortiz2031 Depends on how quickly health authorities would have identified the disease and be able to ship in suitable cures. As neither plague nor anthrax were (or indeed are) native to the USA, it's quite possible that American doctors would have for a while been unsure what they were dealing with, especially if the attack had come at night and the canisters not discovered or linked to the sudden onset of a weird disease among the population.

[@johnbuckberrough5915]

And Hitler declined to consider similar weapons as the Germans had determined that the Americans had more/better chemical/biological weapons in their own arsenals.

[@garretth8224]

@@jwenting The plague has very unique symptoms and signs of infection. Black buboes are a pretty specific and unique symptom even among most diseases. Also the plague has existed for quite sometime in the US. Armadillos are carriers of plague.

[@bobhagopian888]

Thank you for another amazing documentary about the Japanese Naval Attack Plans that I had never heard of before! You are an oracle of fascinating facts about WWII and a master storyteller!

[@stevelawrence5123]

The irony is that the ships whose Panama canal transit the raid would have blocked would have by then been carrying food aid to feed the people of Japan after the war ended.

[@johnphillips519]

I was only thinking the same

[@oceanhome2023]

They were thinking We will never surrender so that never went through their mind

[@mattjk5299]

The only conceivable outcome was the complete victory of japan or it's complete destruction. The humanitarian needs of their own future citizens became irrelevant, much like in Germany towards the very end of the conflict. (At least in the minds of a few.)

[@MrHiBeta]

My father, a USMC sergeant at the time, was a member of the USMC force assigned to protect the Panama Canal during WWII.

[@geoffwalters3662]

I was stationed there 87-91. A real miracle of engineering (we got to study it and tour it in detail for its defense). Even before the upgrade. Panama is a very cool country and I was going to retire there, but too many gringos have moved there and wrecked it.

[@garretth8224]

@@geoffwalters3662 Based off your name you are white as well.

[@rickden8362]

That must have been sweet duty.

[@Ur_fav_brunette_Stacy]

My grandfather was stationed at the Panama Canal in anticipation of attack. He was most impressed by the US aircraft carriers moving through the canal (barely fit).

[@napiersh1]

I'm always down for a part 2 from Mark.

[@IFarmBugs]

So such thing as sloppy seconds with Dr. Felton

[@Tyler-gv6zf]

Instant click and “like” as usual! It’s always a better day when Dr. Felton delivers the goods, so to speak

[@barrydysert2974]

AGREED!:-) 🖖

[@russelmurray9268]

Where do you get your Dr. bullshit. Mark has never received his degree

[@matthewwindram977]

Grabbed the dog, grabbed my earbuds, and out the door I go!

[@jaythatguyyouknow5135]

When I was a kid my father and I would watch hours upon hours of WW2 shows (WW2 in color was our favorite) when I became a father 7 years ago I knew I wanted to do the same with my son. A couple years ago I went to the “History” channel website and seen the content moved to ancient aliens and other crap I don’t recall but I do know it was not WW2 related. A few months ago I stumbled across Marks main channel and not only loved the content but have learned a lot more of the small details that was left out of the popular History Channel WW2 shows. I’m really thankful for the work you do Dr. Felton and I hope I pleases you to hear my son will be listening to you as I start showing him the reality of our world, the turmoil it has been through and teaching him how to remember history so he doesn’t repeat it.

[@1TigerAce]

Awesome story as always. I heard another reason why the planes were dumped after the war ceased was because their fleet commander ordered them to be painted with US markings. It was done this way to allow the pilots more time to get deeper into the anchorage before being discovered for what they really were at the expense of international law violation. Discovering planes in this matter would have made their overall surrender considerably worse for those involved in the fleet.

[@HootOwl513]

I heard this same thing. Also that they would have USAAF style all silver exteriors and US national identity Stars in Blue with White Bars markings. Overall Dark Sea Blue, NAVY markings would have been more believable. Also one of the pilots, while poking about the hangar, found the quick-release catches on the canopies had been tampered with. He hadn't been breifed on a One Way mission prior to that.

[@ginomoreno5117]

Thank you AGAIN, sir. So much attention is constantly shoved in our face about the crimes against humanity in Germany during WWII. As a German, it's nice to see a story that shows it happened (and STILL happens, btw) all over the world. It's disgusting what WE humans feel we can do against other humans. It's a CRIME no matter where it happens. And it happened (happens) everywhere!

[@LTPottenger]

Germany killed fewer civilians than any other major player in the war.

[@Joshua_N-A]

The Allies won and history is written by the victos but that doesn't mean warcrimes only done by just one side.

[@hoosierpatriot2280]

Dr Felton: THE man on obscure, little known parts of WW2 and probably the most knowledgeable about the entirety of the war. I would like to buy you a pint and sit across from you and just listen. Or even better, go to a battle field and listen as you give a guided tour.

[@curtiscrimmins6378]

count me in when that happens...and reserve me a ticket...

[@vcv6560]

@@curtiscrimmins6378 me too. I'll be flying in from the US.

[@shanemurphy3186]

Perfect timing! Just sat down for lunch, thank you Mark!

[@ColinH1973]

Unusual feature, Mark. Well up to your usual standard. Thanks.

[@johnmn3500]

Thanks Mark! Have a great day!

[@Switcharoo12]

Man, your uploads are always a pleasant surprise! Interesting topic as always, thank you.

[@glennschunemann4800]

Mark, as always, very interesting and informative!

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Ten planes against the Anchorage at Ulithi atoll is a complete waste of resources. The attack on Panama while I anticipated earlier in the war I think had largely been discounted at this point. Complaints against two locks makes a lot of sense. Short-sightedness can be a brutal thing. Great video Series too by the way

[@aleksanderpopov5060]

Its like you know when my lunch break is, thank you Mark. Every Monday I look forward to your next great video.

[@jimihendrix991]

break*

[@aleksanderpopov5060]

@@jimihendrix991 ESL here, Russian is my first language. But thank you

[@jimihendrix991]

@@aleksanderpopov5060 ...glad to help! Take care

[@vigilantobserver8389]

Excellent video, Dr. Felton! Cheers!

[@artkoenig9434]

A fascinating story well told, sir! Thanks!

[@thebigone6969]

If I ever travel back in time, I want Mark to go with me since he knows everything about historical times! He’s the king of history!!!!

[@charlesflint9048]

Absolutely fascinating; really Mark, you are such a good historian. Thank you for bringing to light stories such as this.

[@ShaneBermingham616]

Love this channel Mark, would you consider doing a video or series on the Ustaše? They seem to be relatively over looked in the grand scheme of WW2 history.

[@oriontaylor]

You know a group of people is bad when even the Gestapo thinks they go too far.

[@ShaneBermingham616]

@@oriontaylor exactly 😬

[@bluessky1475]

Missed you Mark,carry on. Always a great video.

[@btomlin5764]

Thank you Dr. Felton. Absolutely amazing information that I never knew before.

[@stevenkelly2477]

Mandatory history should be watching Mark Felton history lessons in their curriculum. Best teacher out there.

[@robmax4416]

I am glad I am not the only person whose likes history!

[@jamesengland7461]

Excellent as always.

[@kenfoster8138]

All those found to be involved with the infamous Unit 731 and its unconsciable experiments should not have been pardoned but hung on the spot.

[@Joshua_N-A]

Somehow US was interested in the results of the experiments.

[@seang5284]

@@Joshua_N-A or how desperate the US was to prevent any weapons technology falling into soviet hands. I read a memoir of a German soldier whose unit surrendered to the British 1945, he wrote that they weren’t disarmed for 2 weeks after surrendering because “the British weren’t sure the soviets would stop”.

[@reganmahoney1120]

The last remaining Aichi M6A1 Seiran torpedo / bomber floatplane is located at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA - in the suburbs of Washington DC. This is just in case anyone wanted to look for it at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum in Washington DC and could not find it - its actually at the second museum which is next to Dulles Airport in the suburbs.

[@JustPureMuck]

Loving the format for topics such as this. Allows for an in depth look at intricate topics and how they evolved throughout the war.

[@bas2452]

Keep up the good work!

[@1vigorousdragon]

Great 2part series Mark .Have you ever done a documentary on the Australian Coast watchers of WW2 . I have read the books on these brave men and certainly they have a story to tell.

[@davidb2206]

Dr. Felton, you need to get the book "WWII Japanese Relocation Camps & the WRA: A Prudent, Emergency, War-time Measure" to add to your magnificent research on these subs and the operational plans.

[@moosifer3321]

One of the few channels to get a like BEFORE viewing, plus I agree with your disgust over WWII Japanese Operations and their failure to apologise and, indeed venerate their war criminals - how the scientists escaped punishment beggars belief!

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Excellent video. Very interesting, informative and worthwhile. An attack on the Panama Canal would have been devastating, especially if carried out early in the war. Many U.S. documents regarding the use of germ warfare during WWII and the Korean Conflict have been declassified are are available online.

[@steelhelmetstan7305]

Off all week, Monday evening sat in man cave headquarters number 2....opened a beer ....Dr Mark Felton video....and I'm commenting before I've watched it...because it will be good...🙂🙂😃

[@jamesbodnarchuk3322]

Very interesting & as always very informative on the facts! How did Imperial Japan not realize on the Atomic attacks?

[@romannod5191]

I absolutely love both of your channels but I have some criticism. There are so many interesting and useful pictures in the audio only episodes that I hardly consider them audiobooks/podcasts, more just a normal episode. Keep the good work up anyhow, we‘ll watch or hear them no matter what you call them

[@trenchfighter8778]

imagine how pissed the crew was after hearing of the surrender after months of prep.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Thankyou Dr. Felton. This was an excellent presentation. You must love your work. It's scary to think how close the world came to uncorking that genie. Why isnt this better known? I imagine the U.S. government's deal with Unit 731 has alot to do with it. But that was a long time ago. And I never would have known about all this if it werent for your work.

[@josephstevens9888]

I find it incredible considering the atrocities the Japanese committed in Chin and elsewhere that a bio weapons attack on American cities "a step too far". Mark - you made an excellent point about the atomic bombings. If the Japanese knew about the destruction that would annihilate Hiroshima and Nagasaki, would have the decision to release a bio weapon would have been easier to make? another comment - the I-400 class submarines were truly impressive vessels... too bad none were preserved for posterity sake. It would have been very interesting to explore one of these subs. Another great video from Mark Felton productions!

[@bvkronenberg6786]

Fleas in San Fransisco? Those fleas don’t have a chance.

[@wyom2838]

In San Francisco the humans infect the fleas

[@easytiger652]

Very informative.👍

[@OlsunEdits]

There's an old Japanese anime made in late 90s that take this operation panama into reality with same submarine i-400 and the float bombers. It's name is Kyokujitsu no Kanta

[@charon2588]

Kilroy was here

[@peterbrown6224]

Oh - great timing, Dr Felton. Cold dinner for me now.

[@wileycoyote3370]

You can't multitask?

[@peterbrown6224]

@@wileycoyote3370 Let me get back to you on that, I'm a bit busy :-)

[@rybuds47]

It always stings a bit when you hear about how pricless historic machinery was just thrown into the sea after the war. My grandfather told me just after ww2 in america you could buy a disarmed P-51D for 500 dollars.

[@mattjk5299]

There was certainly a massive amount of equipment produced and used throughout the cold war, but it was dwarfed by the sheer number of devices, vehicles and equipment manufactured during WWII. Much of the old equipment in the last 59 years was sold onto third parties, retrofitted or mothballed/held in reserve. This wasn't possible for the enormous quantity of equipment after WWII, especially damaged equipment that would require significant effort to retool or get working again. Even with the sales to third parties and even the "giving away" of equipment to third parties, there was simply an enormous amount. Combined with many simply wishing to forget and move on from such a horrific event and a low appetite in many countries for military museums.

[@TheNizoubizou]

Mark Felton can you please put how many episodes the series is going to be in the future ? that way I know when to watch the episodes together.

[@henriknilsson7851]

Another nice series. The desperate measures of the Cold War are truly shocking.

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

Thank you

[@Gufberg]

In school we were taught that the atomic bombs were necessary. Thinking about them in the framework of the japanese biological weapons program, they seem like a despicable atrocity against humanity.

[@Gufberg]

@Joff RH yea, imo lots of history focused channels on youtube ends up spouting borderline propaganda on behalf of western powers and especially on behalf of the US. Its great to see an actual Historian, since he is trained to look at source material critically which most of the other non-academic youtubers very obviously are not.

[@thestoryteller9140]

I learn so much from this Man

[@3dfreak2000]

Can you image if Mark Felton travels back in time to WW2 period, providing his knowledge to the alies?

[@curtiscrimmins6378]

it is quite popular now in historical circles to find anything and everything to blame the United States for ...correct and accurate WW2 history always stands up to this test...and Mark is the best at it....thank you once again for Historical truth.

[@timwilliamanderson]

I feel like if they pursued px we would have seen more atomic strikes

[@codybailey855]

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again; The Nazis didn’t have anything on the Japanese when it comes to their absolute depravity. The fact that the US overlooked Unit 731’s war crimes in exchange for their research is almost equally despicable.

[@truthseekers864]

They where equally evil.

[@joeyartk]

And the US was good by purposely burning women and children to death so they wouldn't have to fight the Japanese Army on Japan? The only difference is the US never stopped committing war crimes after 1945.

[@charlesharris9965]

Infected fleas in downtown San Francisco? How would you know the difference?

[@HootOwl513]

Japanese country fleas would have been rolled by street savvy San Francisco City fleas.

[@jackrosario9990]

Parts of the Puerto Rican 65th infantry regiment were stationed at the Panama canal during WW2

[@jamestonbellajo]

Awesome series, Mark. Do you have the same left of detail in information for Operation Cherry Blossoms at Night? Would love to see similar videos on that as well!

[@christopherconard2831]

The plan to hit the Panama Canal reminds me of a lot of the German plans. A great idea, unfortunately (For them) a year or two too late. Closing the canal after the attacks on Hawaii would have caused a great disruption. Late in the war, after the new Pacific Fleet was established, it would have been a nuisance.

[@hanzup4117]

Mark, I get rather bored at my temporary job. I've started listening to audio books to keep my mind occupied. Which one of your books would you recommend I start with? And do you narrate them by any chance?

[@youknownothing8226]

Just finished listening to "One Thousand Miles to Freedom" - narrated by Mark- Great for two reasons, one its Mark Felton and secondly my Uncle Billy Chadwick spent 3 years as POW in Burma and he was good for a "hair raising" story or two. Downside only a hour long :)

[@hanzup4117]

@@youknownothing8226Thank you :) I'll put it on the list.

[@captainpinky8307]

what do you do for a living?

[@johnbeauvais3159]

So do you think that the planes had been painted silver with American markings as has been described?

[@glockparaastra]

Great story!

[@stargazer4683]

Thank you sir

[@ffsForgerFortySeven.9154]

Dun dunt' DUN DUN DUN DUN...DUN DUN DUN DONE ...love that intro

[@christopherconard2831]

Dun dunt Dun Dun *hits the like button* So, what's today's subject?

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Thanks....The word "if" is a very big word indeed

[@lancetuckey6403]

Brilliant.......simply brilliant.

[@wyvernquill2796]

I read a book by a navy officer who was returning to the US via Hawaii and he rode on one of the I-400 subs. He said the hanger was full of none military captured semi contraband goods and at every island they stopped at it was the worlds largest floating swap meet

[@UnclePutte]

Umezu probably saved the Japanese people with his opposition to such barbarity.

[@stevesloan7132]

I had no idea we had homing torpedoes in the war.

[@frostedbutts4340]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_24_mine A very effective late war weapon that could be carried by a number of aircraft

[@thepuzzleguy5989]

That was one of the lowest points in US military history! Giving the 731 officials immunity for information.. What a crock. Makes me ashamed of our people back then!

[@Joshua_N-A]

Could the data be valuable today?

[@thepuzzleguy5989]

@@Joshua_N-A Good question; but at what cost without consequences for the Japanese doctors??????

[@mark_wotney9972]

I have read that the Seiran intended for the Ulithi operation were painted in American colors and markings. That was probably one reason why these planes were "deep-sixed" by the crews after Japan surrendered.

[@daltonchristensen8360]

Great British people: Michael Cain Winston Churchill Stephen hawking James Cook Mark Felton - Above all others

[@TheFarout69]

Would love to hear a story from USS Lexington CV-16, the flagship where Admiral Mitscher led Task Group 58.

[@Georgejoseph74]

Hi I know u have a podcast..any chance you can send the link pl??tx u

[@barrykevin7658]

I think this is his only audio channel , but I hope I'm wrong but don't think so.

[@misfit666_usmc6]

Mark!!!! You my friend show up to throw us some knowledge. And in 23 hours late to the party. I'll haze myself sir.

[@watcherr1]

Stunning story.

[@johntaylor-lo8qx]

Needs better video Mark. Common your not a podcast, your so much better ❤

[@OMEGATECH]

I believe I read somewhere on the subject of the i-400 class submarine, where are the United States scuttled the submarine because the Soviet Union demanded to examine them as well?

[@RhodeIslandWildlife]

I'm not sure if you're aware, there was an outbreak of the Black Plague in San Francisco in the early 1900's.

[@oceanhome2023]

How things might have turned out differently if they were able to have this attack on The Panama Canal at the same time they attacked Pearl Harbor . Following up with submarine Wolfpack’s waiting at the Tierra Del Fuego and just east of Ceylon

[@wyom2838]

The US would probably still win, but it’ll be a longer and drawn out war

[@jpslayermayor9293]

Just when I thought I read everything about how Japan leading up to and during WWII exhibited a complete absence of humanity

[@VTPSTTU]

Considering that they used the biological agents against China, I doubt that they would have made the decision not to use them in the U.S. if they hadn't already feared that they were losing the war. At this point, they had to be thinking about the punishments that they would take if they lost after having used those agents in San Francisco.

[@thegunslinger1363]

I read in the book "A Plauge Upon Humanity". That at Unit 731, they kept body parts or even specimens. Of those who were murdered in display cases. Including hands, arms, heads, babys, organs, and even a Russian man. Suspended in a six foot tall glass case of formalin liquid. Who was split open lengthwise from head to feet.

[@WarStorieswithMarkFelton]

This is correct.

[@NathanDudani]

3:20 A great summary to what the war was really about: totally destructive power over those you want to subsume because you think your nonsensical beliefs are better than theirs.

[@simlebu2618]

This was amazing! I wonder if there where any japanese fighting for the allies during ww2? Or where they placed in camps like in the usa.

[@melissalayson7275]

Americans of Japanese ancestry were placed internment camps and yes they did fight for America because despite their families being placed in internment camps, they still loved their country. In fact they were most decorated unit in the United States army. Read about 422nd: A unit of Americans of Japanese ancestry.

[@loqutus8]

Had the Japanese Navy tried to destroy the Locks at the Panama Canal, they would have had a very dissatisfactory awakening to American preparation.

[@demonprinces17]

A sleepy backwater that never was attacked, bet the co's and men were 3 rate, spent the war partying.

[@marcusmaddenov2451]

This became the basis of a Clive Cussler novel.

[@michaelkaylor6770]

I bet the IJN bombs did not rotate backwards? Three cheers for Barns Wallace!

[@ocha9333]

Great history lesson as always! I couldn't help but get excited when I recognized the picture of the Kaiten Type 10 Prototype from the Yamato Museum, which I had the pleasure to see in person a few years ago. Looking at my pictures, it says that only the Type 1 saw actual combat and the casualties related included more than 100 operators of them. Sad future for many promising young men

[@welshpete12]

I have read there was a barrier or dam . Built that could be placed across the Panama canal in an emergency . So as to stop the water draining out . But of course the USA , would not know of the Japanese intentions . I'm sorry I do not know anymore , it was only mentioned in passing in a article I read .

[@michaelwallace1329]

Two shrooms weren't enough!

[@markmullin4246]

The American government was to lenient on those war criminals. I would've locked them in a sealed room and used their "weapon " of choice on them! Afterall,what better Guinea pigs?!

[@rollyherrera623]

Wow, Dr. Felton? Good Story! Had a Bio attack occurred, we may have had mutual devastation...Why dont you do a Doc on the Guinea Pigs of U.S. Atomic Testing, and how it affected The soldiers, including Navy in the Pacific Arena...I am a descendant of a WW2 SeaBee, who later joined The Army to serve in the Korean War, Vietnam, and U.S. Border Patrol...At the time, after The Pacific Nuclear testing, My Grandfather served Valiantly, not knowing that the radiation had damaged his DNA, and he was already a dead man walking. As a descendant of his, and having many relatives, cousins, etc, from his post war DNA; I can conclusively say, Premature Bone, and Teeth degeneration, and Retardation have to be part of his lineage! Sorry, for rambling, but I was hoping you had any insight on the particulars of Atomic testing in The Pacific?

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

Kyle Hill made a Castle Bravo video about atomic testing gone wrong. Japanese newspapers called it "a second hiroshima" (hyperbolic, but still)