Is Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer banned in Japan? Here’s why the internet thinks so

Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer is set to release in theatres on July 21, which is just one week away. This highly anticipated biographical thriller portrays the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as the ‘father of the atomic bomb.’ The film stars well-known actor Cillian Murphy in the lead role of Oppenheimer.

While the movie has generated a lot of online buzz and memes, it tackles a grave and chilling subject matter, namely nuclear weapons. Consequently, there have been rumours circulating that Oppenheimer has been banned in Japan and will not be released there.

A tweet from The Fauxy, asserting that the film has been banned in Japan, has garnered significant attention, accumulating over 10,000 shares and likes. The tweet started a discussion which led to people sharing why the movie is banned in Japan.

The speculation surrounding the alleged ban of Oppenheimer in Japan stems from the deeply unsettling historical events that tie Japan to nuclear weapons. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima in Japan, resulting in a devastating loss of life. Estimates indicate that between 90,000 and 146,000 people tragically perished as a result of the bombing.

On August 9, 1945, just three days after the Hiroshima bombing, a second atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. The devastating consequences of this attack resulted in the loss of an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 lives.

Given J. Robert Oppenheimer’s involvement in the development of atomic bombs, it is understandable that a film based on his life may face significant controversy and receive a mixed reception in Japan.

As of now, Oppenheimer has not been officially banned in Japan. However, there is no confirmed theatrical release date for the film in the country. Whether the movie will eventually be released in Japan or not remains uncertain at this time.

Considering the subject matter and historical context, it is highly probable that Japanese audiences may choose to avoid watching the latest Christopher Nolan film, Oppenheimer (for evident reasons), if it is released in Japan.

It is also important to note that The Fauxy, as indicated in its Twitter bio, is categorized as a ‘fictitious’ news source. Thus, the film might not actually be banned in Japan.