A-bomb survivors share accounts at 40 venues in and around New York
May 7, 2010
by Kohei Okata, Staff Writer, dispatched from New York
"We would like to convey the devastation caused by the atomic bombing to young people and entrust them with a peaceful world without nuclear weapons." A-bomb survivors (hibakusha) from Hiroshima who are visiting the United States in connection with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, have been traveling to schools in and around New York and energetically describing their experiences of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
On May 4, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 68, a resident of Hiroshima Prefecture, shared his A-bomb account in a classroom of first-year students at a public high school in a New York suburb. He brought copies of pictures drawn by hibakusha and a photo of the A-bomb Dome with him. At the beginning of his talk, Mr. Mimaki won over the students by touching on the subject of Major League baseball.
Mr. Mimaki, who was born in Tokyo, experienced the Great Tokyo Air Raid and was then exposed to the atomic bombing at the age of three in his father's hometown of Hiroshima, where he had moved. On August 8, he walked around the whole neighborhood of Hiroshima Station with his mother and younger brother in search of his father, who worked for the Japan National Railway. Mr. Mimaki, however, has no memory of that time. As he cannot provide a vivid description of the devastation like older survivors, he had not pursued the opportunity to relate his A-bomb experience before.
He said that his awareness of the issue changed after assuming the post of chair of the Kitahiroshima Town Association of Atomic Bomb Sufferers five years ago and learning about the strenuous efforts being made by Sunao Tsuboi, 85, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organization, and others. "We, in the intermediate generation between Mr. Tsuboi's generation and second-generation A-bomb survivors, have to convey the A-bomb experience now," he said.
Mr. Mimaki complemented his lack of personal memories with his parents' stories and A-bomb-related materials. The students listened to his talk quietly and attentively. "Tragedy will occur even if only one nuclear weapon is used. Together let's make the effort to realize a world free of nuclear weapons." With this appeal, Mr. Mimaki concluded his account.
According to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations, 42 hibakusha were divided into 14 groups and related their A-bomb experiences at about 40 venues, mainly in schools, from May 3 to 5. It is said they all feel a sense of urgency over the thought that this may be the last opportunity they have to share their A-bomb experiences overseas.
On May 4, Mr. Tsuboi took part in a discussion at a university in Manhattan and said: "My life changed due to the atomic bomb and I hated the United States. But such feelings will only invite a cycle of retaliation. In order to protect human lives, we must overcome hatred and join hands for peace."
(Originally published on May 6, 2010)
"We would like to convey the devastation caused by the atomic bombing to young people and entrust them with a peaceful world without nuclear weapons." A-bomb survivors (hibakusha) from Hiroshima who are visiting the United States in connection with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, have been traveling to schools in and around New York and energetically describing their experiences of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
On May 4, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 68, a resident of Hiroshima Prefecture, shared his A-bomb account in a classroom of first-year students at a public high school in a New York suburb. He brought copies of pictures drawn by hibakusha and a photo of the A-bomb Dome with him. At the beginning of his talk, Mr. Mimaki won over the students by touching on the subject of Major League baseball.
Mr. Mimaki, who was born in Tokyo, experienced the Great Tokyo Air Raid and was then exposed to the atomic bombing at the age of three in his father's hometown of Hiroshima, where he had moved. On August 8, he walked around the whole neighborhood of Hiroshima Station with his mother and younger brother in search of his father, who worked for the Japan National Railway. Mr. Mimaki, however, has no memory of that time. As he cannot provide a vivid description of the devastation like older survivors, he had not pursued the opportunity to relate his A-bomb experience before.
He said that his awareness of the issue changed after assuming the post of chair of the Kitahiroshima Town Association of Atomic Bomb Sufferers five years ago and learning about the strenuous efforts being made by Sunao Tsuboi, 85, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organization, and others. "We, in the intermediate generation between Mr. Tsuboi's generation and second-generation A-bomb survivors, have to convey the A-bomb experience now," he said.
Mr. Mimaki complemented his lack of personal memories with his parents' stories and A-bomb-related materials. The students listened to his talk quietly and attentively. "Tragedy will occur even if only one nuclear weapon is used. Together let's make the effort to realize a world free of nuclear weapons." With this appeal, Mr. Mimaki concluded his account.
According to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations, 42 hibakusha were divided into 14 groups and related their A-bomb experiences at about 40 venues, mainly in schools, from May 3 to 5. It is said they all feel a sense of urgency over the thought that this may be the last opportunity they have to share their A-bomb experiences overseas.
On May 4, Mr. Tsuboi took part in a discussion at a university in Manhattan and said: "My life changed due to the atomic bomb and I hated the United States. But such feelings will only invite a cycle of retaliation. In order to protect human lives, we must overcome hatred and join hands for peace."
(Originally published on May 6, 2010)
