Three second-generation A-bomb survivors form new group to supplement city’s Family A-bomb Legacy Successors program to pass down A-bomb experiences of their family members to public
Aug. 2, 2022
by Hajime Niiyama, Staff Writer
Three second-generation A-bomb survivors living in Hiroshima City have formed a new group to pass down the A-bomb experiences of their family members to following generations. It will provide an opportunity for group members to talk about their family’s A-bomb testimonies and learn how to compile their stories. While the Family A-bomb Legacy Successors program, which the City of Hiroshima launched in Fiscal 2022, requires family successors to pass down A-bomb experiences of family members who are still alive, the newly formed group aims to support activities that share testimonies of A-bomb survivors, as well as those who have already passed away.
The name of the group is “Hibaku Nisei no Kataro Kai (Second-generation A-bomb Survivors Talk).” Sakuko Sasaki, 72, a resident of Nishi Ward, Hiroshima, has assumed the post of representative. She serves as an A-bomb Legacy Successor, who, as a third party, listens to A-bomb accounts and passes on the experiences to the public on behalf of A-bomb survivors. Ms. Sasaki formed the group on July 25, together with two other A-bomb Legacy Successors, Takanori Mizuno, 64, a resident of Asakita Ward, and Yuko Takiguchi, 68, a resident of Naka Ward. Third-generation A-bomb survivors are also eligible to participate.
The impetus for the establishment of the group was the launch of the city’s Family A-bomb Legacy Successors program. When Ms. Sasaki attended the program’s briefing session in May, she heard about cases where it was difficult to participate in a two-year training program due to a need to care for elderly parents, and where it was impossible to listen to A-bomb accounts from parents with dementia.
Ms. Takiguchi herself lost her 90-year-old mother seven years ago, and was unable to apply for the program. Her mother had sent her own memoirs of the atomic bombing to the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims located in the city’s Naka Ward and other organizations. She says, “I would like to have an opportunity where I can fulfill her wish to have me read her written accounts. Mr. Mizuno agrees, saying, “There are people who feel frustrated by the requirement that family members still be living. If their records are kept, they can be passed down.”
The group aims to share the know-how they have accumulated as A-bomb Legacy Successors. The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall has collected the memoirs of about 150,000 people who experienced the atomic bomb. Ms. Sasaki encourages second- and third-generation A-bomb survivors to conduct a search to see if they have family member’s experiences and written accounts to be passed on. For further information, call the group secretariat office at 082-843-7814 (from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays).
(Originally published on August 2, 2022)
Three second-generation A-bomb survivors living in Hiroshima City have formed a new group to pass down the A-bomb experiences of their family members to following generations. It will provide an opportunity for group members to talk about their family’s A-bomb testimonies and learn how to compile their stories. While the Family A-bomb Legacy Successors program, which the City of Hiroshima launched in Fiscal 2022, requires family successors to pass down A-bomb experiences of family members who are still alive, the newly formed group aims to support activities that share testimonies of A-bomb survivors, as well as those who have already passed away.
The name of the group is “Hibaku Nisei no Kataro Kai (Second-generation A-bomb Survivors Talk).” Sakuko Sasaki, 72, a resident of Nishi Ward, Hiroshima, has assumed the post of representative. She serves as an A-bomb Legacy Successor, who, as a third party, listens to A-bomb accounts and passes on the experiences to the public on behalf of A-bomb survivors. Ms. Sasaki formed the group on July 25, together with two other A-bomb Legacy Successors, Takanori Mizuno, 64, a resident of Asakita Ward, and Yuko Takiguchi, 68, a resident of Naka Ward. Third-generation A-bomb survivors are also eligible to participate.
The impetus for the establishment of the group was the launch of the city’s Family A-bomb Legacy Successors program. When Ms. Sasaki attended the program’s briefing session in May, she heard about cases where it was difficult to participate in a two-year training program due to a need to care for elderly parents, and where it was impossible to listen to A-bomb accounts from parents with dementia.
Ms. Takiguchi herself lost her 90-year-old mother seven years ago, and was unable to apply for the program. Her mother had sent her own memoirs of the atomic bombing to the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims located in the city’s Naka Ward and other organizations. She says, “I would like to have an opportunity where I can fulfill her wish to have me read her written accounts. Mr. Mizuno agrees, saying, “There are people who feel frustrated by the requirement that family members still be living. If their records are kept, they can be passed down.”
The group aims to share the know-how they have accumulated as A-bomb Legacy Successors. The Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall has collected the memoirs of about 150,000 people who experienced the atomic bomb. Ms. Sasaki encourages second- and third-generation A-bomb survivors to conduct a search to see if they have family member’s experiences and written accounts to be passed on. For further information, call the group secretariat office at 082-843-7814 (from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays).
(Originally published on August 2, 2022)
