Joint efforts of Hiroshima public, private sectors seek greater understanding of A-bombing
Aug. 6, 2014
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
Representatives from 80 percent of member states of the United Nations have visited Hiroshima, a fact that has steadily fostered greater understanding of the devastating consequences of the atomic bombing. The joint efforts made by the public and private sectors to invite people to Hiroshima have been fruitful. However, more than 16,000 nuclear weapons still exist in the world, and the pace of disarmament is slow. In the run-up to the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, to be marked next year, stronger messages must be sent out from Hiroshima.
“It’s unfortunate that the courses of nations can’t be easily changed,” said Keijiro Matsushima, 85, who has been sharing his experience of the atomic bombing in English.
Not many A-bomb survivors have a good command of English. Mr. Matsushima has been relating his account to dignitaries and other visitors from abroad for more than 20 years. “As someone who experienced the atomic bombing, I have a responsibility to pass on what I know about the devastating power of the bomb to other people,” he said. “I have always shared my story with the thought, ‘Let’s consider together how we can banish nuclear weapons from this world.’”
Toward the end of last year, he contracted a blood disease and has been undergoing medical treatment. “I must continue calling for nuclear abolition, no matter how hard it might be for me, because this is Hiroshima’s mission,” he said, stirring himself.
Representatives from a range of national governments visit Hiroshima each year on August 6, the anniversary of the atomic bombing. This year the City of Hiroshima sent letters of invitation to 155 nations, and at least 71 have responded positively, saying that they will send representatives. United States Ambassador Caroline Kennedy will also attend the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony, visiting Hiroshima for the first time since assuming her post.
A citizens’ group dedicated to spreading messages from Hiroshima is preparing to hand out an English version of a CD containing A-bomb accounts to representatives of national governments from abroad through the city government. Members of this group, led by Maeko Nobumoto, hope that the horror of the atomic bombing will remain etched into people’s minds and will move policymakers to take measures to advance the abolition of nuclear weapons.
The CD contains the A-bomb accounts of eight survivors and five poems about the atomic bombing. Ms. Nobumoto said, “We hope to convey the reality of the atomic bombing to as many government representatives as possible. Telling the truth must be the first step toward eliminating nuclear weapons.”
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has 66 guest books, in which more than 2,000 high-ranking government officials and prominent figures have written messages.
“Hiroshima reminds us of the terrible inhumanity of the atomic bombing.” (Mary Robinson, President of Ireland, 1995)
“My only words: NEVER AGAIN!” (Jose Ramos-Horta, foreign affairs official of East Timor Transitional Administration, 2001. He later became president of East Timor.)
Dignitaries from abroad have been moved by the terrible suffering caused by the atomic bombing and have expressed their wishes for peace in these guest books. Hiroshima is hoping to see policymakers from the nuclear superpowers write in a guest book in the not-too-distant future.
(Originally published on August 2, 2014)
Representatives from 80 percent of member states of the United Nations have visited Hiroshima, a fact that has steadily fostered greater understanding of the devastating consequences of the atomic bombing. The joint efforts made by the public and private sectors to invite people to Hiroshima have been fruitful. However, more than 16,000 nuclear weapons still exist in the world, and the pace of disarmament is slow. In the run-up to the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, to be marked next year, stronger messages must be sent out from Hiroshima.
“It’s unfortunate that the courses of nations can’t be easily changed,” said Keijiro Matsushima, 85, who has been sharing his experience of the atomic bombing in English.
Not many A-bomb survivors have a good command of English. Mr. Matsushima has been relating his account to dignitaries and other visitors from abroad for more than 20 years. “As someone who experienced the atomic bombing, I have a responsibility to pass on what I know about the devastating power of the bomb to other people,” he said. “I have always shared my story with the thought, ‘Let’s consider together how we can banish nuclear weapons from this world.’”
Toward the end of last year, he contracted a blood disease and has been undergoing medical treatment. “I must continue calling for nuclear abolition, no matter how hard it might be for me, because this is Hiroshima’s mission,” he said, stirring himself.
Representatives from a range of national governments visit Hiroshima each year on August 6, the anniversary of the atomic bombing. This year the City of Hiroshima sent letters of invitation to 155 nations, and at least 71 have responded positively, saying that they will send representatives. United States Ambassador Caroline Kennedy will also attend the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony, visiting Hiroshima for the first time since assuming her post.
A citizens’ group dedicated to spreading messages from Hiroshima is preparing to hand out an English version of a CD containing A-bomb accounts to representatives of national governments from abroad through the city government. Members of this group, led by Maeko Nobumoto, hope that the horror of the atomic bombing will remain etched into people’s minds and will move policymakers to take measures to advance the abolition of nuclear weapons.
The CD contains the A-bomb accounts of eight survivors and five poems about the atomic bombing. Ms. Nobumoto said, “We hope to convey the reality of the atomic bombing to as many government representatives as possible. Telling the truth must be the first step toward eliminating nuclear weapons.”
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has 66 guest books, in which more than 2,000 high-ranking government officials and prominent figures have written messages.
“Hiroshima reminds us of the terrible inhumanity of the atomic bombing.” (Mary Robinson, President of Ireland, 1995)
“My only words: NEVER AGAIN!” (Jose Ramos-Horta, foreign affairs official of East Timor Transitional Administration, 2001. He later became president of East Timor.)
Dignitaries from abroad have been moved by the terrible suffering caused by the atomic bombing and have expressed their wishes for peace in these guest books. Hiroshima is hoping to see policymakers from the nuclear superpowers write in a guest book in the not-too-distant future.
(Originally published on August 2, 2014)
