Wish for nuclear abolition is conveyed in the U.K.
Aug. 17, 2010
by Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writer
Shoso Kawamoto, 76, who related his experience of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at an A-bomb exhibition held from August 2 to 12 in the United Kingdom, a nuclear weapon state, took part in a press conference at Hiroshima City Hall on August 12. "I think we were able to convey our wish for nuclear abolition in the U.K.," Mr. Kawamoto said.
Mr. Kawamoto visited the U.K. with a staff member of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum from July 31 to August 8. He shared his experience, through an interpreter, with a total of 300 people at four locations in the U.K. including a venue in London. During the war, Mr. Kawamoto was evacuated to the city of Miyoshi, about 85 kilometers from Hiroshima. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, six members of his family perished, some at his parents' home and others at different locations in the city. He was also exposed to residual radiation upon his return and became an A-bomb orphan.
While in the U.K., Mr. Kawamoto received many requests to share his story, including those from schools, and was posed such questions as whether he feels bitterness toward the United States, which dropped the bomb. "I was surprised at so much reaction and I felt that many people in the U.K. desire the abolition of nuclear weapons, too," he said.
This is the fifth A-bomb exhibition to take place in the U.K. and the event was jointly organized by the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the British antinuclear organization.
(Originally published on August 13, 2010)
Shoso Kawamoto, 76, who related his experience of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at an A-bomb exhibition held from August 2 to 12 in the United Kingdom, a nuclear weapon state, took part in a press conference at Hiroshima City Hall on August 12. "I think we were able to convey our wish for nuclear abolition in the U.K.," Mr. Kawamoto said.
Mr. Kawamoto visited the U.K. with a staff member of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum from July 31 to August 8. He shared his experience, through an interpreter, with a total of 300 people at four locations in the U.K. including a venue in London. During the war, Mr. Kawamoto was evacuated to the city of Miyoshi, about 85 kilometers from Hiroshima. When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, six members of his family perished, some at his parents' home and others at different locations in the city. He was also exposed to residual radiation upon his return and became an A-bomb orphan.
While in the U.K., Mr. Kawamoto received many requests to share his story, including those from schools, and was posed such questions as whether he feels bitterness toward the United States, which dropped the bomb. "I was surprised at so much reaction and I felt that many people in the U.K. desire the abolition of nuclear weapons, too," he said.
This is the fifth A-bomb exhibition to take place in the U.K. and the event was jointly organized by the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the British antinuclear organization.
(Originally published on August 13, 2010)
