A-bomb survivors and university students join forces for events to mark 70th anniversary of A-bombings
Feb. 27, 2015
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
On February 19, the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Prefectural Hidankyo), chaired by Sunao Tsuboi, formed an executive committee to organize events in which memories of the atomic bombing can be handed down to the next generation in this 70th year since the A-bomb attacks. Responding to the group’s call, students from Hiroshima University and Hiroshima Shudo University joined the committee to help produce events that can attract people of all generations.
For the first meeting of the committee, held at an office in Hiroshima, seven members from Hidankyo and the Hiroshima Chapter of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo Hiroshima), along with five university students, came together. Mr. Tsuboi, who was appointed chairman of the committee, touched upon his health concerns in his remarks, but encouraged the committee members by saying, “I’m still eager to help create a peaceful world. I hope all of you will show some spirit and do your best for the sake of humanity.”
The committee confirmed that it will hold a seminar for youth on April 5 as well as a lecture and a panel discussion between A-bomb survivors and young people on June 21. The members also discussed details, such as the theme for these events and their promotion. Hiroshi Shimizu, the secretary general of Hiroshima Prefectural Hidankyo, shared his hopes for the students, telling them that he would like ideas which will encourage more people of their generation to join the events.
Masaaki Murakami, 22, a senior at the Hiroshima Shudo University and a member of the committee, said, “I think there are many people who simply consider the atomic bombings as part of history. I want to use this opportunity to have more people become interested in the atomic bombings and carry on the survivors’ wishes.”
(Originally published on February 20, 2015）
On February 19, the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Prefectural Hidankyo), chaired by Sunao Tsuboi, formed an executive committee to organize events in which memories of the atomic bombing can be handed down to the next generation in this 70th year since the A-bomb attacks. Responding to the group’s call, students from Hiroshima University and Hiroshima Shudo University joined the committee to help produce events that can attract people of all generations.
For the first meeting of the committee, held at an office in Hiroshima, seven members from Hidankyo and the Hiroshima Chapter of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo Hiroshima), along with five university students, came together. Mr. Tsuboi, who was appointed chairman of the committee, touched upon his health concerns in his remarks, but encouraged the committee members by saying, “I’m still eager to help create a peaceful world. I hope all of you will show some spirit and do your best for the sake of humanity.”
The committee confirmed that it will hold a seminar for youth on April 5 as well as a lecture and a panel discussion between A-bomb survivors and young people on June 21. The members also discussed details, such as the theme for these events and their promotion. Hiroshi Shimizu, the secretary general of Hiroshima Prefectural Hidankyo, shared his hopes for the students, telling them that he would like ideas which will encourage more people of their generation to join the events.
Masaaki Murakami, 22, a senior at the Hiroshima Shudo University and a member of the committee, said, “I think there are many people who simply consider the atomic bombings as part of history. I want to use this opportunity to have more people become interested in the atomic bombings and carry on the survivors’ wishes.”
(Originally published on February 20, 2015）
