On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb of human history on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, and three days later, another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, which resulted in the death of nearly 300,000 civilians in the two cities. 67 years have passed since then, and many people question the rationality of retaining these painful memories. They argue that “it was time the city [Hiroshima] set its eyes resolutely on the future.”1 For instance, they demand that the disturbing ruins of the Atomic Bomb Dome be demolished, and hibakusha (the survivors of the A-bomb) should discontinue writing their narratives.2 Why should Japan and the world remember, after all? Why is it of vital importance to preserve the memory of a sorrowful past?