A-bomb survivor from Hiroshima recounts experience at exhibition on atomic bombings
May 29, 2016
by Kazuaki Yamamoto, Staff Writer
On May 28, Sadao Yamamoto, 84, an A-bomb survivor and resident of Higashi Ward, Hiroshima, recounted his experience of the Hiroshima bombing at an exhibition titled “Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition,” timed to take place during the Group of Seven (G7) summit (Ise Shima summit) in Ise, Mie Prefecture. Referring to U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Hiroshima on May 27, Mr. Yamamoto appealed to his audience: “We are entering a critical stage now. I want people to show more interest in abolishing nuclear weapons.”
Mr. Yamamoto experienced the atomic bombing about 2.5 kilometers from the hypocenter. At the time, he was a second-year student at Hiroshima Second Middle School (now Kanon High School). He described seeing the sight of great fires rising in the city and the horrific conditions in the aftermath of the blast. “It was hell on earth,” he said. He welcomed Mr. Obama’s visit to Hiroshima by saying, “As an A-bomb survivor, I’ve longed for this visit.” He also stressed that Japan, as the A-bombed nation, should spearhead efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons and make this appeal for abolition to other countries.
Mr. Yamamoto shared his A-bomb experience twice on this day, and spoke to a total of about 200 people, with some even standing behind the filled chairs. “Thanks to President’s Obama visit, interest in the atomic bombings has grown,” he said. “I will continue sharing my A-bomb account as long as I have the strength.”
The atomic bomb exhibition, organized by the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, opened on May 22 and runs through May 29. After an appeal was made to G7 summit officials to take in the event, three high-level officials from the European Union paid a visit to the exhibition on May 25.
(Originally published on May 29, 2016)
On May 28, Sadao Yamamoto, 84, an A-bomb survivor and resident of Higashi Ward, Hiroshima, recounted his experience of the Hiroshima bombing at an exhibition titled “Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition,” timed to take place during the Group of Seven (G7) summit (Ise Shima summit) in Ise, Mie Prefecture. Referring to U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to Hiroshima on May 27, Mr. Yamamoto appealed to his audience: “We are entering a critical stage now. I want people to show more interest in abolishing nuclear weapons.”
Mr. Yamamoto experienced the atomic bombing about 2.5 kilometers from the hypocenter. At the time, he was a second-year student at Hiroshima Second Middle School (now Kanon High School). He described seeing the sight of great fires rising in the city and the horrific conditions in the aftermath of the blast. “It was hell on earth,” he said. He welcomed Mr. Obama’s visit to Hiroshima by saying, “As an A-bomb survivor, I’ve longed for this visit.” He also stressed that Japan, as the A-bombed nation, should spearhead efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons and make this appeal for abolition to other countries.
Mr. Yamamoto shared his A-bomb experience twice on this day, and spoke to a total of about 200 people, with some even standing behind the filled chairs. “Thanks to President’s Obama visit, interest in the atomic bombings has grown,” he said. “I will continue sharing my A-bomb account as long as I have the strength.”
The atomic bomb exhibition, organized by the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, opened on May 22 and runs through May 29. After an appeal was made to G7 summit officials to take in the event, three high-level officials from the European Union paid a visit to the exhibition on May 25.
(Originally published on May 29, 2016)
