Criticism leveled last month by Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba at the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush has provoked a major reaction both at home and abroad.

Akiba said during his speech on Aug. 6, the 57th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the city, "The United States government has no right to force Pax Americana on the rest of us or to unilaterally determine the fate of the world."

According to Hiroshima municipal officials, the speech has inspired a flood of responses from the public.