Brazil A-bomb survivors’ organization disbands after 36 years—Dedicated itself to promotion of relief measures for A-bomb survivors overseas
Jan. 21, 2021
by Hiromi Morita, Editorial Writer
On January 20, it was learned that the Peace Association of Brazilian A-bomb Survivors (former Association of A-bomb Survivors in Brazil, Sao Paulo) had disbanded at the end of last year. The group brought its 36 years of activities to a close, after consistent progress was made in measures to provide relief for A-bomb survivors in Brazil by the Japanese government.
Takashi Morita, 96, and his late wife Ayako, both of whom experienced the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and then emigrated to Brazil, established the association in 1984 with others. The organization succeeded in uncovering Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bomb survivors with health concerns who were living on the vast continent of South America.
In solidarity with A-bomb survivors’ organizations in the United States and South Korea, the association continued to convey to the Japanese government the actual situation of overseas A-bomb survivors, who had not been covered under the Atomic Bomb Survivors Relief Law. The association gained supporters and filed several lawsuits seeking to apply the relief law to overseas A-bomb survivors, ultimately leading to the acquisition of almost the same level of relief benefits as those provided to A-bomb survivors in Japan.
The association also put effort into communicating the reality of the atomic bombing to younger generations and raising awareness locally of the term “hibakusha.” However, the organization could not avoid the advancing age of its members. While there were more than 270 A-bomb survivors in the association at the time of its founding, that number had since decreased to 74.
As reasons for the breakup, the association cited the heavy tax burden to maintain its work as an organization authorized by the local government, as well as the present situation in which the coronavirus pandemic had complicated the group’s activities. Junko Watanabe, 78, who once served as director in the association, said, “We will never forget the kindness of those who have supported us.” Though the association has disbanded, some members will voluntarily continue such work as providing consultation to and meeting with A-bomb survivors, arranging A-bomb testimonies, and preserving A-bomb-related materials.
Mr. Morita, who has worked in the association as chairman since its founding, said, “I will continue to hope for peace and oppose war, nuclear weapons, and discrimination. As long as I’m alive, I want to give my all to these issues.”
(Originally published on January 21, 2021)
On January 20, it was learned that the Peace Association of Brazilian A-bomb Survivors (former Association of A-bomb Survivors in Brazil, Sao Paulo) had disbanded at the end of last year. The group brought its 36 years of activities to a close, after consistent progress was made in measures to provide relief for A-bomb survivors in Brazil by the Japanese government.
Takashi Morita, 96, and his late wife Ayako, both of whom experienced the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and then emigrated to Brazil, established the association in 1984 with others. The organization succeeded in uncovering Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bomb survivors with health concerns who were living on the vast continent of South America.
In solidarity with A-bomb survivors’ organizations in the United States and South Korea, the association continued to convey to the Japanese government the actual situation of overseas A-bomb survivors, who had not been covered under the Atomic Bomb Survivors Relief Law. The association gained supporters and filed several lawsuits seeking to apply the relief law to overseas A-bomb survivors, ultimately leading to the acquisition of almost the same level of relief benefits as those provided to A-bomb survivors in Japan.
The association also put effort into communicating the reality of the atomic bombing to younger generations and raising awareness locally of the term “hibakusha.” However, the organization could not avoid the advancing age of its members. While there were more than 270 A-bomb survivors in the association at the time of its founding, that number had since decreased to 74.
As reasons for the breakup, the association cited the heavy tax burden to maintain its work as an organization authorized by the local government, as well as the present situation in which the coronavirus pandemic had complicated the group’s activities. Junko Watanabe, 78, who once served as director in the association, said, “We will never forget the kindness of those who have supported us.” Though the association has disbanded, some members will voluntarily continue such work as providing consultation to and meeting with A-bomb survivors, arranging A-bomb testimonies, and preserving A-bomb-related materials.
Mr. Morita, who has worked in the association as chairman since its founding, said, “I will continue to hope for peace and oppose war, nuclear weapons, and discrimination. As long as I’m alive, I want to give my all to these issues.”
(Originally published on January 21, 2021)
