There’s no doubt that violence and war have taken away too much, and this is why we take a moment to ponder life during Japan’s Constitution Memorial Day on May 3. Sociopolitical rifts cause too much loss, no matter what side of the conflict you’re on. Japan’s case is no different. Not only did the country inflict violence on other nations, but it also suffered gravely in return. Japan woke up one day to the loss of its cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki — with many families torn apart, children orphaned, family members missing or (assumed) dead. The U.S. attacked the two cities with atomic bombs successively. Around 226,000 were killed, most of whom were mere civilians. After facing unprecedented losses, Japan surrendered in 1945, building a new constitution that would focus on civilian’s welfare and peace.