×

News

English translation of book by late Hiroshima mayor is published

by Yumi Kanazaki, Staff Writer

The English translation of the book “A-bomb Mayor,” written by the late Shinso Hamai, the first popularly elected mayor of the city of Hiroshima after World War II, has been published. Mr. Hamai’s eldest son, Junso Hamai, 74, along with others involved in the project, held a press conference at Hiroshima City Hall on November 2 to speak about the book.

Shinso Hamai was a city employee when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Starting in 1947, he served four four-year terms (1947-1955 and 1959-1967) as mayor of Hiroshima, with one election defeat. The original Japanese version of “A-bomb Mayor” was published in 1967, based on a series of articles he had written for the Chugoku Shimbun entitled “The Untold Story Behind the City’s Administration” as well as other writings. In the book, he shares anecdotes connected to discussions about building Peace Memorial Park and about the annual Peace Festival (now, Peace Memorial Ceremony), which was first held in 1947.

Mr. Hamai died in 1968. While he was still living, he reportedly said that he would like his book to be translated into English one day. His son Junso established a committee with his acquaintances to produce the translated book and spent about two years on the project before the book was published. The translator of the book is Elizabeth Baldwin, 61, a resident of Hiroshima.

Junso also reprinted the original Japanese version in 2006. He said, “I have been able to realize my father’s wish. I hope this book will help convey to the world the lesson of Hiroshima and the danger of nuclear weapons.

The English version of the book is 240 pages long. It is sold at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum for 1,500 yen per copy. For more detailed information please send an inquiry to ksk25@cybermagazine.co.jp.

(Originally published on November 3, 2010)

Archives