Shobara A-bomb survivors group moves to disband
Jun. 30, 2015
by Kentaro Yamamoto, Staff Writer
An association of atomic bomb survivors in Saijo-cho, now part of Shobara in northern Hiroshima Prefecture will disband. At a meeting on June 25 representatives of the group agreed to hold a general meeting on July 16. The group’s members are aging and dwindling in numbers, making it difficult for the association to continue its activities. At last year’s general meeting it was decided to disband the group in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
At the June 25 meeting, which was held at a municipal health and welfare center in Saijo, Atsushi Takeshita, 84, president of the group, and four other members discussed the agenda of the final general meeting. “With everyone’s cooperation, we have made it to the 70th anniversary. Frankly, I’m relieved.” Mr. Takeshita said.
The association was formed in 1956. Every year representatives attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima and members went on trips together and had parties to promote friendship. In 1976 the group issued a publication called “Kyochikuto” featuring the accounts of the A-bombing experiences of about 50 members.
The association, which had about 450 members when it was launched, has only about 100 now. The group also considered disbanding in 2005, when six towns merged into the City of Shobara. Some members expressed a desire for the children of survivors to carry on their activities, but they could not find anyone to take over.
The group has decided to use its remaining funds to reissue “Kyochikuto.” “I hope that through preserving these valuable survivor accounts many people will learn of the suffering of the A-bomb survivors and the joy of peace,” Mr. Takeshita said. Sunao Tsuboi, 90, chairman of one faction of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, said, “I haven’t been told officially that the group has decided to disband, but they did a great job in the northern part of the prefecture. I feel nothing but gratitude.”
The survivors association in Tojo-cho was disbanded in 2005 in conjunction with the merger of the six towns into Shobara. The survivors association in Soryo-cho folded around 2008 following the death of a key member.
Elsewhere in Hiroshima Prefecture, the survivors associations in the city of Fukuyama and in Koda-cho in the city of Aki Takata were also disbanded this year.
(Originally published on June 26, 2015)
General meeting to be held next month; aging of members, dwindling numbers cited
An association of atomic bomb survivors in Saijo-cho, now part of Shobara in northern Hiroshima Prefecture will disband. At a meeting on June 25 representatives of the group agreed to hold a general meeting on July 16. The group’s members are aging and dwindling in numbers, making it difficult for the association to continue its activities. At last year’s general meeting it was decided to disband the group in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
At the June 25 meeting, which was held at a municipal health and welfare center in Saijo, Atsushi Takeshita, 84, president of the group, and four other members discussed the agenda of the final general meeting. “With everyone’s cooperation, we have made it to the 70th anniversary. Frankly, I’m relieved.” Mr. Takeshita said.
The association was formed in 1956. Every year representatives attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima and members went on trips together and had parties to promote friendship. In 1976 the group issued a publication called “Kyochikuto” featuring the accounts of the A-bombing experiences of about 50 members.
The association, which had about 450 members when it was launched, has only about 100 now. The group also considered disbanding in 2005, when six towns merged into the City of Shobara. Some members expressed a desire for the children of survivors to carry on their activities, but they could not find anyone to take over.
The group has decided to use its remaining funds to reissue “Kyochikuto.” “I hope that through preserving these valuable survivor accounts many people will learn of the suffering of the A-bomb survivors and the joy of peace,” Mr. Takeshita said. Sunao Tsuboi, 90, chairman of one faction of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, said, “I haven’t been told officially that the group has decided to disband, but they did a great job in the northern part of the prefecture. I feel nothing but gratitude.”
The survivors association in Tojo-cho was disbanded in 2005 in conjunction with the merger of the six towns into Shobara. The survivors association in Soryo-cho folded around 2008 following the death of a key member.
Elsewhere in Hiroshima Prefecture, the survivors associations in the city of Fukuyama and in Koda-cho in the city of Aki Takata were also disbanded this year.
(Originally published on June 26, 2015)
