Pokemon Go monsters not welcome at Hiroshima

Japanese city calls for virtual animals to be removed in respect for victims of atomic bomb attacks

160728-hiroshima.jpg
(Image credit: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hiroshima has asked the makers of Pokemon Go to remove its monsters from the city's memorials to the victims of the atomic bomb attacks of 1945.

The smartphone game has enjoyed runaway success since it was released by makers Niantic earlier this month. Players collect virtual monsters sprinkled all over the world, with programmers using GPS to detect where gamers are and making the "Pokemon" appear in nearby parks, churches and town halls.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us