A-bomb exhibitions held in Thailand by Hiroshima volunteer
Jun. 17, 2010
by Kana Kobayashi, Staff Writer
Masaru Sato, 63, a Hiroshima resident and the director of "Thailand Napo Village Japan Kosuikai," a Hiroshima-based nonprofit organization engaged in volunteer activities, including an effort to dig wells in a rural district in Thailand, has held A-bomb exhibitions in local schools for the first time. Mr. Sato sensed positive signs that "the exhibitions drew a great deal of attention." He will hold A-bomb exhibitions in Thailand in July, too.
Mr. Sato visited the village of Napo in Buri Ram Province in northeastern Thailand from May 17-23. At an elementary school and a junior high school on the outskirts of town, in a school cafeteria and in other school space, Mr. Sato displayed about 30 posters depicting Hiroshima and its injured citizens in the aftermath of the atomic bombing. One of the Hiroshima City assembly members who accompanied Mr. Sato for a tour of inspections overseas spoke about a relative's experience of the atomic bombing.
Reflecting on the exhibitions, Mr. Sato said, "I was surprised by the attentiveness of the children when they were listening to the A-bomb account." He decided to hold A-bomb exhibitions at two more such schools in July. His visit has led to the participation of Buri Ram Province in Mayors for Peace, for which Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba serves as president.
Members of Thailand Napo Village Japan Kosuikai have visited Napo Village every year since 1998. Mr. Sato, who worked in the drilling industry, has given guidance to local drilling companies and dug wells in more than ten locations for communities and schools that had suffered from a shortage of water. The organization has also constructed libraries in the district and provided school supplies.
(Originally published on June 16, 2010)
Masaru Sato, 63, a Hiroshima resident and the director of "Thailand Napo Village Japan Kosuikai," a Hiroshima-based nonprofit organization engaged in volunteer activities, including an effort to dig wells in a rural district in Thailand, has held A-bomb exhibitions in local schools for the first time. Mr. Sato sensed positive signs that "the exhibitions drew a great deal of attention." He will hold A-bomb exhibitions in Thailand in July, too.
Mr. Sato visited the village of Napo in Buri Ram Province in northeastern Thailand from May 17-23. At an elementary school and a junior high school on the outskirts of town, in a school cafeteria and in other school space, Mr. Sato displayed about 30 posters depicting Hiroshima and its injured citizens in the aftermath of the atomic bombing. One of the Hiroshima City assembly members who accompanied Mr. Sato for a tour of inspections overseas spoke about a relative's experience of the atomic bombing.
Reflecting on the exhibitions, Mr. Sato said, "I was surprised by the attentiveness of the children when they were listening to the A-bomb account." He decided to hold A-bomb exhibitions at two more such schools in July. His visit has led to the participation of Buri Ram Province in Mayors for Peace, for which Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba serves as president.
Members of Thailand Napo Village Japan Kosuikai have visited Napo Village every year since 1998. Mr. Sato, who worked in the drilling industry, has given guidance to local drilling companies and dug wells in more than ten locations for communities and schools that had suffered from a shortage of water. The organization has also constructed libraries in the district and provided school supplies.
(Originally published on June 16, 2010)
