Hiroe Kawashimo, A-bomb survivor with microcephaly, raises her voice at international conference to convey wish that war be eliminated
Jun. 20, 2022
by Taiki Yomura, Staff Writer
On June 19, A-bomb survivors with microcephaly, a condition marked by a small head size and the possibility of intellectual and physical disabilities, recently raised their voices for the abolition of nuclear weapons at an international online conference that connected Hiroshima City and Vienna, Austria, the venue of the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). While more than 76 years have passed since the atomic bombing, survivors with the condition argued that no one should ever again be victimized by nuclear weapons, as several people in similar circumstances who were exposed to A-bomb radiation in their mother’s womb have recently died.
Hiroe Kawashimo, 76, an A-bomb survivor with microcephaly and a resident of Hiroshima’s Higashi Ward, participated in the event from in front of the A-bomb Dome, located in the city’s Naka Ward. Ms. Kawashimo had been exposed to high doses of A-bomb radiation while in the womb of her mother, who was then in early pregnancy and about one kilometer from the hypocenter. In front of a camera delivering her image to participants in Vienna, she said, “I want war to disappear from the world. I want people throughout the world to listen to us.”
She held a painting of the A-bomb Dome that she herself had created. The painting’s composition included yellow cottonweed flowers in bloom surrounding the dome. She had added to the painting a poem about her wishes for peace. “Don’t erase the lives of these little flowers,” read one of the verses. After the broadcast of her speech was concluded, she stated her wish that nuclear weapons be eliminated from around the world.
Yoshio Nagaoka, 73, president of the Kinoko-kai (Mushroom Club) of A-bomb survivors with microcephaly and their families who lives in Hiroshima’s Asaminami Ward, was emphatic. “Nuclear weapons are not merely bombs with enormous power. Humans have no future in a world with such weapons, which harm mothers and fetuses,” said Mr. Nagaoka.
The Kinoko-kai club was formed in 1965. To this point in time, a total of 25 A-bomb survivors with microcephaly have belonged to the club, but two have died in the last 12 months, leaving 13 members. All of the club members’ parents have died. After losing his parents, Mr. Nagaoka continues to visit the home of his older brother Hiroshi Nagaoka, 76, who has microcephaly and lives in Hiroshima’s Minami Ward, to help take care of him. Mr. Nagaoka said, “Both my brother and my parents experienced extreme hardship, and if I didn’t share their stories, they would be forgotten. I hope through my efforts that people can come to understand even a little about the inhumanity of nuclear weapons.”
(Originally published on June 20, 2022)
On June 19, A-bomb survivors with microcephaly, a condition marked by a small head size and the possibility of intellectual and physical disabilities, recently raised their voices for the abolition of nuclear weapons at an international online conference that connected Hiroshima City and Vienna, Austria, the venue of the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). While more than 76 years have passed since the atomic bombing, survivors with the condition argued that no one should ever again be victimized by nuclear weapons, as several people in similar circumstances who were exposed to A-bomb radiation in their mother’s womb have recently died.
Hiroe Kawashimo, 76, an A-bomb survivor with microcephaly and a resident of Hiroshima’s Higashi Ward, participated in the event from in front of the A-bomb Dome, located in the city’s Naka Ward. Ms. Kawashimo had been exposed to high doses of A-bomb radiation while in the womb of her mother, who was then in early pregnancy and about one kilometer from the hypocenter. In front of a camera delivering her image to participants in Vienna, she said, “I want war to disappear from the world. I want people throughout the world to listen to us.”
She held a painting of the A-bomb Dome that she herself had created. The painting’s composition included yellow cottonweed flowers in bloom surrounding the dome. She had added to the painting a poem about her wishes for peace. “Don’t erase the lives of these little flowers,” read one of the verses. After the broadcast of her speech was concluded, she stated her wish that nuclear weapons be eliminated from around the world.
Yoshio Nagaoka, 73, president of the Kinoko-kai (Mushroom Club) of A-bomb survivors with microcephaly and their families who lives in Hiroshima’s Asaminami Ward, was emphatic. “Nuclear weapons are not merely bombs with enormous power. Humans have no future in a world with such weapons, which harm mothers and fetuses,” said Mr. Nagaoka.
The Kinoko-kai club was formed in 1965. To this point in time, a total of 25 A-bomb survivors with microcephaly have belonged to the club, but two have died in the last 12 months, leaving 13 members. All of the club members’ parents have died. After losing his parents, Mr. Nagaoka continues to visit the home of his older brother Hiroshi Nagaoka, 76, who has microcephaly and lives in Hiroshima’s Minami Ward, to help take care of him. Mr. Nagaoka said, “Both my brother and my parents experienced extreme hardship, and if I didn’t share their stories, they would be forgotten. I hope through my efforts that people can come to understand even a little about the inhumanity of nuclear weapons.”
(Originally published on June 20, 2022)
