Effects of nuclear tests in Kazakhstan
Feb. 3, 2015
Citizens’ group reports on medical assistance, meetings
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
On January 22 members of a group that traveled to Kazakhstan, held a meeting in Hiroshima to report on their trip, which included meetings with victims of radiation from nuclear tests conducted at the test site in Semipalatinsk, which was the largest such site in the former Soviet Union. About 30 people attended the meeting, at which they gained a better understanding of the effects of nuclear tests around the world.
About 20 people traveled to Kazakhstan, including members of the Hiroshima Semipalatinsk Project, which provides medical assistance to the area, and members of the prefectural assembly. They divided into two groups, with some attending an international anti-nuclear conference while others visited a local university. The visitors arrived in Kazakhstan on August 28 and stayed for five days.
At the meeting Keiichi Sasaki, 60, head of the Hiroshima Semipalatinsk Project, described nuclear testing that has taken place around the world and outlined the history of the anti-nuclear movement. On this trip the group delivered drugs to a children’s hospital. Mr. Sasaki said many of the children had been hospitalized with cancer or leukemia. “It was heart-wrenching to see them,” he said. “It’s important to continue our support.”
Yasuyoshi Komizo, chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, and Masaharu Hoshi, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University, who traveled to Kazakhstan at the same time, talked about their activities also. Dr. Tolebay K. Rakhypbekov, rector of Semey State Medical University, who was in Japan to attend an academic conference, noted that the people of Semey could share their sadness with the people of Hiroshima and expressed his gratitude for the support that has been received over the years.
(Originally published on January 23, 2015)
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
On January 22 members of a group that traveled to Kazakhstan, held a meeting in Hiroshima to report on their trip, which included meetings with victims of radiation from nuclear tests conducted at the test site in Semipalatinsk, which was the largest such site in the former Soviet Union. About 30 people attended the meeting, at which they gained a better understanding of the effects of nuclear tests around the world.
About 20 people traveled to Kazakhstan, including members of the Hiroshima Semipalatinsk Project, which provides medical assistance to the area, and members of the prefectural assembly. They divided into two groups, with some attending an international anti-nuclear conference while others visited a local university. The visitors arrived in Kazakhstan on August 28 and stayed for five days.
At the meeting Keiichi Sasaki, 60, head of the Hiroshima Semipalatinsk Project, described nuclear testing that has taken place around the world and outlined the history of the anti-nuclear movement. On this trip the group delivered drugs to a children’s hospital. Mr. Sasaki said many of the children had been hospitalized with cancer or leukemia. “It was heart-wrenching to see them,” he said. “It’s important to continue our support.”
Yasuyoshi Komizo, chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, and Masaharu Hoshi, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University, who traveled to Kazakhstan at the same time, talked about their activities also. Dr. Tolebay K. Rakhypbekov, rector of Semey State Medical University, who was in Japan to attend an academic conference, noted that the people of Semey could share their sadness with the people of Hiroshima and expressed his gratitude for the support that has been received over the years.
(Originally published on January 23, 2015)
