You would think people have enough common sense or common sense of decency to be respectful of memorial sites, but officials in Hiroshima are asking Pokemon Go users to refrain from searching for Pokemon at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
According to a report from The Japan Times, park officials have asked for mobile developer Niantic Inc. to remove Pokestops from showing up within the grounds of the memorial park, discouraging users from mindlessly using the app to search for digital creatures to catch on the same land where others are reflecting on one of the most somber times Japan has experienced in its history.
The request has a requested deadline of August 6, although Niantic has not commented publicly on the request. August 6 will mark the anniversary of the day the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. Between the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States, more than 129,000 people were killed.
This is not the first time Niantic has been asked to remove the digital rest stops for Pokemon Go users to refuel. Previous requests similar in nature have been made by Arlington National Cemetary for the exact same reasons as those in Japan are using. The United States Holocaust Museum has also pleaded for mobile users to refrain from using the popular Pokemon Go app while inside the museum.
We do not consider playing "Pokemon Go" to be appropriate decorum on the grounds of ANC. We ask all visitors to refrain from such activity.
— Arlington National Cemetery (@ArlingtonNatl) July 12, 2016
There may be a constructive way to incorporate Pokemon Go into certain educational opportunities, but most would probably agree that these sites should be reserved for reflection and mourning, and not finding and capturing Pikachu to complete your Pokedex.
