South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association sends 12,000 masks to Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations
Aug. 31, 2020
by Yo Kono and Kana Kobayashi, Staff Writers
The South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association, an organization made up of A-bomb survivors in South Korea and headquartered in Hapcheon, South Korea, recently donated 12,000 masks to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations will send a portion of the masks to regional A-bomb survivors’ organizations, among other groups, to help A-bomb survivors across Japan avoid COVID-19.
On August 17, eight cardboard boxes containing two types of masks—disposable, unwoven masks, as well as washable, urethane masks—arrived at the offices of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations in Minato Ward, Tokyo. The organization will send to each of its 41 local organizations across Japan 240 masks by parcel delivery service, and in the future will consider what to do with the remaining masks.
In April, when Japan faced a severe shortage of masks, the South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association offered assistance. The Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations then sent an email of appreciation that said, “We will work to advance our campaign further, encouraged by your friendship.”
The Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations has continued its interactions with the South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association by helping A-bomb survivors in South Korea obtain Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificates and dispatching its directors and other senior members to memorial services held in South Korea. Terumi Tanaka, 88, co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations, expressed his gratitude and said, “We very much appreciate their intent to support A-bomb survivors in Japan.”
The South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association said that the masks were donated mainly by A-bomb survivors and citizens’ groups, who joined together to deliver the masks. Lee Gyu Yeol, chair of the association, said, “As those who experienced the atomic bombings, we would like to share the present hardship. I hope A-bomb survivors can maintain the same cooperative relationship as ever, even if political confrontation continues between the South Korean and Japanese governments.”
(Originally published August 31, 2020)
Wishing to share the hardship
The South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association, an organization made up of A-bomb survivors in South Korea and headquartered in Hapcheon, South Korea, recently donated 12,000 masks to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations will send a portion of the masks to regional A-bomb survivors’ organizations, among other groups, to help A-bomb survivors across Japan avoid COVID-19.
On August 17, eight cardboard boxes containing two types of masks—disposable, unwoven masks, as well as washable, urethane masks—arrived at the offices of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations in Minato Ward, Tokyo. The organization will send to each of its 41 local organizations across Japan 240 masks by parcel delivery service, and in the future will consider what to do with the remaining masks.
In April, when Japan faced a severe shortage of masks, the South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association offered assistance. The Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations then sent an email of appreciation that said, “We will work to advance our campaign further, encouraged by your friendship.”
The Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations has continued its interactions with the South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association by helping A-bomb survivors in South Korea obtain Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificates and dispatching its directors and other senior members to memorial services held in South Korea. Terumi Tanaka, 88, co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations, expressed his gratitude and said, “We very much appreciate their intent to support A-bomb survivors in Japan.”
The South Korean Atomic Bomb Sufferers Association said that the masks were donated mainly by A-bomb survivors and citizens’ groups, who joined together to deliver the masks. Lee Gyu Yeol, chair of the association, said, “As those who experienced the atomic bombings, we would like to share the present hardship. I hope A-bomb survivors can maintain the same cooperative relationship as ever, even if political confrontation continues between the South Korean and Japanese governments.”
(Originally published August 31, 2020)
