Honma of Matsue, second-generation A-bomb survivor, becomes director of Nihon Hidankyo, standing at forefront of movement, determined to bridge transition to next generation
Aug. 3, 2024
by Natsumi Teramoto, Staff Writer
Emiko Honma, 74, of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, became the first second-generation A-bomb survivor to serve as director of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) in June, taking up the post of the regional director representing the organization’s Chugoku bloc. She is also chair of an A-bomb survivors’ group in Shimane Prefecture and the only second-generation A-bomb survivor to lead a prefectural organization in the Chugoku district, which consists of Hiroshima and four other prefectures. She is determined to stand at the forefront of the second-generation survivors, saying, “We are in a period of transition. It is not enough just to follow the first generation.”
Ms. Honma belongs to the committee for the diffusing information on the reality of the atomic bombing, one of the six committees of Hidankyo. She will be involved in activities to raise awareness both in Japan and abroad. “I have much to learn, including why the atomic bombs were dropped.”
By agreement, the post of the reginal director of the Chugoku bloc rotates among the prefectures every two years. There were arguments for and against choosing a director who had no experience of the atomic bombing. “Nevertheless, second-generation A-bomb survivors will eventually be responsible for our activities, and I hope to serve as liaison when there are more second-generation A-bomb survivors on the board.”
According to the prefectural government, the average age of A-bomb survivors in Japan was 85.58 as of the end of March. But the average age of A-bomb survivors in Shimane Prefecture was 91.17. Two years ago, Ms. Honma assumed the post of chair of the prefectural organization to keep it going while its members are older than those in other areas. She will never forget the weight of the words of an A-bomb survivor, “You should think of yourself as a first-generation A-bomb survivor and fulfill your role.” With this thought in mind, she accepted the position of director of the national organization.
She feels the difficulty of passing the memories on to the next generation and said, “Not many second-generation A-bomb survivors have had the chance to come face to face with their parents and listen to their experiences.” Ms. Honma’s mother, Atsu, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 90, entered Hiroshima shortly after the atomic bombing and was exposed to the residual radiation of the bomb. She did not talk about her A-bomb experience during her lifetime. “It is only recently A-bomb survivors have begun to tell their stories,” she said.
Next year will mark the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings. Ms. Honma hopes to create an opportunity for second-generation A-bomb survivors in the prefecture to listen to first-generation survivors’ experiences and thoughts. “I will continue to study and always have a perspective of A-bomb survivors,” she said. She will continue to carry out missions of second-generation A-bomb survivors one by one.
(Originally published on August 3, 2024)
Emiko Honma, 74, of Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, became the first second-generation A-bomb survivor to serve as director of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) in June, taking up the post of the regional director representing the organization’s Chugoku bloc. She is also chair of an A-bomb survivors’ group in Shimane Prefecture and the only second-generation A-bomb survivor to lead a prefectural organization in the Chugoku district, which consists of Hiroshima and four other prefectures. She is determined to stand at the forefront of the second-generation survivors, saying, “We are in a period of transition. It is not enough just to follow the first generation.”
Ms. Honma belongs to the committee for the diffusing information on the reality of the atomic bombing, one of the six committees of Hidankyo. She will be involved in activities to raise awareness both in Japan and abroad. “I have much to learn, including why the atomic bombs were dropped.”
By agreement, the post of the reginal director of the Chugoku bloc rotates among the prefectures every two years. There were arguments for and against choosing a director who had no experience of the atomic bombing. “Nevertheless, second-generation A-bomb survivors will eventually be responsible for our activities, and I hope to serve as liaison when there are more second-generation A-bomb survivors on the board.”
According to the prefectural government, the average age of A-bomb survivors in Japan was 85.58 as of the end of March. But the average age of A-bomb survivors in Shimane Prefecture was 91.17. Two years ago, Ms. Honma assumed the post of chair of the prefectural organization to keep it going while its members are older than those in other areas. She will never forget the weight of the words of an A-bomb survivor, “You should think of yourself as a first-generation A-bomb survivor and fulfill your role.” With this thought in mind, she accepted the position of director of the national organization.
She feels the difficulty of passing the memories on to the next generation and said, “Not many second-generation A-bomb survivors have had the chance to come face to face with their parents and listen to their experiences.” Ms. Honma’s mother, Atsu, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 90, entered Hiroshima shortly after the atomic bombing and was exposed to the residual radiation of the bomb. She did not talk about her A-bomb experience during her lifetime. “It is only recently A-bomb survivors have begun to tell their stories,” she said.
Next year will mark the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings. Ms. Honma hopes to create an opportunity for second-generation A-bomb survivors in the prefecture to listen to first-generation survivors’ experiences and thoughts. “I will continue to study and always have a perspective of A-bomb survivors,” she said. She will continue to carry out missions of second-generation A-bomb survivors one by one.
(Originally published on August 3, 2024)
