Anniversary of the atomic bombing looms in Hiroshima
Aug. 7, 2012
by Osamu Kido, Staff Writer
What stance should human beings take toward nuclear energy? Roughly a year and five months have passed since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. As we search for the answer to this question, we waver over the pros and cons of the “peaceful use of nuclear power.” Hiroshima, where the “nuclear era” dawned, will commemorate the 67th anniversary of the atomic bombing on August 6.
The Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims stands near the heart of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The front of the stone chest inside the cenotaph, which holds the register for the A-bomb victims, is inscribed with 21 Japanese characters which convey this vow: “Let all the souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil.” The cenotaph was unveiled on August 6, 1952, and now marks its 60th year.
The vow inscribed on the cenotaph conveys the sentiment of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima. It can be said that the appeal for “No More Hibakusha” has served as a deterrent to nuclear war. This appeal has also prompted efforts to support nuclear-affected sufferers elsewhere in the world who are contending with the damage caused by radiation released as a result of nuclear tests and other sources.
However, the nuclear accident of March 2011, which has spewed radioactive materials into the environment, occurred in the only nation to have suffered an atomic bombing. Voices calling for the elimination of nuclear power generation have spread across Japan in the wake of last month’s restart of the Oi nuclear power plant, located in Oi, Fukui Prefecture and run by the Kansai Electric Power Company.
In this year’s Peace Declaration, to be delivered by Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony, Mr. Matsui will skirt the question of whether the nation should continue to operate nuclear power plants under the name of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The A-bombed city itself has been unable to arrive at an answer.
Over the past year, there has also been a sense of stagnation when it comes to nuclear abolition efforts in the world. In Vienna, at the First Preparatory Committee for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference, which will be held in 2015, the nuclear weapon states presented no new approaches to nuclear disarmament.
It was also learned that the United States has conducted a series of experiments involving a new type of nuclear weapon. The vision of “a world without nuclear weapons” that was proclaimed by U.S. President Barack Obama not long ago has paled into insignificance.
As of the end of March 2012, the average age of A-bomb survivors holding the Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate is now over 78 (78.1 years old). Compared to last year, the number of survivors declined by 8,580 to a total of 210,830. The A-bomb survivors are aging as they hold onto the hope of abolishing nuclear arms.
Is the voice of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima really being heard? What is Hiroshima’s role in the world following the nuclear disaster of March 11, 2011?
“For we shall not repeat the evil.” In front of the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, now enveloped in prayer, we meditate anew on this vow. The spirit of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima is now being tested.
(Originally published on August 5, 2012)
What stance should human beings take toward nuclear energy? Roughly a year and five months have passed since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. As we search for the answer to this question, we waver over the pros and cons of the “peaceful use of nuclear power.” Hiroshima, where the “nuclear era” dawned, will commemorate the 67th anniversary of the atomic bombing on August 6.
The Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims stands near the heart of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The front of the stone chest inside the cenotaph, which holds the register for the A-bomb victims, is inscribed with 21 Japanese characters which convey this vow: “Let all the souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil.” The cenotaph was unveiled on August 6, 1952, and now marks its 60th year.
The vow inscribed on the cenotaph conveys the sentiment of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima. It can be said that the appeal for “No More Hibakusha” has served as a deterrent to nuclear war. This appeal has also prompted efforts to support nuclear-affected sufferers elsewhere in the world who are contending with the damage caused by radiation released as a result of nuclear tests and other sources.
However, the nuclear accident of March 2011, which has spewed radioactive materials into the environment, occurred in the only nation to have suffered an atomic bombing. Voices calling for the elimination of nuclear power generation have spread across Japan in the wake of last month’s restart of the Oi nuclear power plant, located in Oi, Fukui Prefecture and run by the Kansai Electric Power Company.
In this year’s Peace Declaration, to be delivered by Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony, Mr. Matsui will skirt the question of whether the nation should continue to operate nuclear power plants under the name of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The A-bombed city itself has been unable to arrive at an answer.
Over the past year, there has also been a sense of stagnation when it comes to nuclear abolition efforts in the world. In Vienna, at the First Preparatory Committee for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Review Conference, which will be held in 2015, the nuclear weapon states presented no new approaches to nuclear disarmament.
It was also learned that the United States has conducted a series of experiments involving a new type of nuclear weapon. The vision of “a world without nuclear weapons” that was proclaimed by U.S. President Barack Obama not long ago has paled into insignificance.
As of the end of March 2012, the average age of A-bomb survivors holding the Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate is now over 78 (78.1 years old). Compared to last year, the number of survivors declined by 8,580 to a total of 210,830. The A-bomb survivors are aging as they hold onto the hope of abolishing nuclear arms.
Is the voice of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima really being heard? What is Hiroshima’s role in the world following the nuclear disaster of March 11, 2011?
“For we shall not repeat the evil.” In front of the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, now enveloped in prayer, we meditate anew on this vow. The spirit of the A-bombed city of Hiroshima is now being tested.
(Originally published on August 5, 2012)
