＠72 days until Hiroshima Summit: Former Faculty of Science Building No.1
Mar. 8, 2023
by Taiki Yomura, Staff Writer
The former Faculty of Science Building No.1 is an A-bombed building remaining at the former main campus of Hiroshima University in Naka Ward, Hiroshima. This building was built in 1931 to serve as the main hall for the Hiroshima University of Literature and Science (predecessor to Hiroshima University). The building was completely burned at the time of the atomic bombing except for the exterior ward as it was located about 1.4 kilometers from the hypocenter. According to the Record of the Hiroshima A-bomb War Disaster, 36 people including faculty and students instantly died in the building.
The victims of the atomic bombing were not limited to Japanese. Back then, nine international students called “Southeast Asia Special Students” enrolled in Hiroshima University based on a national policy to develop pro-Japan leaders in the region. Eight who were in class or the neighboring dormitory at the time were affected by the bombing.
The building was closed in 1991. The City of Hiroshima has decided to conserve it partially, will retain the front I-shaped part out of the whole E-shaped building, and renovate it as a center for peace education and studies. Renovation work is expected to be complete around 2030, and the building will house the Center for Peace Hiroshima University and the Hiroshima Peace Institute of Hiroshima City University.
(Originally published on March 8, 2023)
The former Faculty of Science Building No.1 is an A-bombed building remaining at the former main campus of Hiroshima University in Naka Ward, Hiroshima. This building was built in 1931 to serve as the main hall for the Hiroshima University of Literature and Science (predecessor to Hiroshima University). The building was completely burned at the time of the atomic bombing except for the exterior ward as it was located about 1.4 kilometers from the hypocenter. According to the Record of the Hiroshima A-bomb War Disaster, 36 people including faculty and students instantly died in the building.
The victims of the atomic bombing were not limited to Japanese. Back then, nine international students called “Southeast Asia Special Students” enrolled in Hiroshima University based on a national policy to develop pro-Japan leaders in the region. Eight who were in class or the neighboring dormitory at the time were affected by the bombing.
The building was closed in 1991. The City of Hiroshima has decided to conserve it partially, will retain the front I-shaped part out of the whole E-shaped building, and renovate it as a center for peace education and studies. Renovation work is expected to be complete around 2030, and the building will house the Center for Peace Hiroshima University and the Hiroshima Peace Institute of Hiroshima City University.
(Originally published on March 8, 2023)
