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Survivor shares A-bomb account at World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates

by Toshiko Bajo, Staff Writer

“I despise the atomic bombing, but I have to rise above my bitterness.”

Akihiro Takahashi, 79, former director of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, shared his experience of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the opening session of “The 2010 World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates,” which opened on November 12 in the city. Displayed beside him was the tattered school uniform his late friend had been wearing that day, lent for his address by Peace Memorial Museum.

Mr. Takahashi appeared in a wheelchair. He related the moment the atomic bomb fell: When the bomb exploded, there was a great roar and it became pitch dark. He also described the horrific sights of the aftermath: People fleeing through the city, their bodies covered with burns. While he spoke, illustrations depicting his words were shown on large screens.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureates listened to Mr. Takahashi’s moving account with somber faces. At the conclusion of his talk, he shed tears and said, “Please help convey our message from Hiroshima so that a world without nuclear weapons can be realized.”

The audience responded with loud applause. The six Nobel Peace Prize laureates attending the summit went over to Mr. Takahashi and, one by one, firmly shook his hand. Jody Williams, the laureate and anti-landmine activist, said that Mr. Takahashi’s account of the atomic bombing reverberated in her mind. She went on to say, in a strong tone, that she feels deep anger toward the governments of the nuclear weapons states, and that such a tragedy should never be repeated.

Mr. Takahashi commented, “I was able to send a message of farewell to my late friend. I’m confident that my wish for nuclear abolition was conveyed fully.”

(Originally published on November 13, 2010)

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