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Nationwide survey: 43 A-bomb survivors’ organizations to dissolve without members, while 49 organizations hope to maintain existence

by Minako Okuda, Staff Writer

Timed for the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing, the Chugoku Shimbun has carried out a nationwide survey on the future plans of A-bomb survivors’ organizations. Among the 121 organizations that responded to the survey, 43 organizations (35.5%) indicated that their group would dissolve when there are no survivors left, while 49 organizations (40.5%) expressed a desire to continue the group’s activities with the support of their children and family members of A-bomb victims. Efforts to abolish nuclear arms and hand down the survivors’ experiences of the atomic bombings have come to a crossroads.

The surveys were distributed nationwide to survivors’ organizations earlier this month. In all, 44 of the 45 prefectural organizations in 44 prefectures and 77 of the 80 local organizations in the five prefectures of the Chugoku Region responded.

With respect to their future existence, 15 prefectural organizations and 34 local organizations stated “they would continue their existence by bringing in children and family members of A-bomb victims.” At the same time, 12 prefectural organizations and 31 local organizations said “they would disband or cease to exist when the survivors are gone.” Three prefectural organizations and five local organizations (6.6%) said “they would have another organization take over their activities.” The remaining 21 organizations either ticked “other” or offered no answer.

Related to this survey, two prefectural organizations in Hiroshima and 15 prefectural organizations in Kanagawa, Ishikawa, and other prefectures said “they have organizations formed by the children of survivors.” This is a threefold increase, from five, compared to the survey carried out in 2006 in connection with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo). However, 12 organizations responded that “they could not find anyone to take over their activities, despite their desire to continue to function.”

Over the past 10 years, the organizations have stepped up such activities as “sharing their accounts of the atomic bombing,” “maintaining the health of members and their ties of friendship,” and “obtaining the Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate and supporting other members’ applications for various welfare allowances,” in descending order of response. As for future activities, many organizations listed such things as “holding memorial services” and “strengthening support for the children of A-bomb survivors.”

Among the prefectural organizations that also belong to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations, the Wakayama prefectural organization decided to disband this past June (the Tokushima prefectural organization withdrew in 1987). Already, there are no prefectural organizations in Nara or Shiga prefectures. In the Chugoku Region, the organizations in Koda-cho and Yachiyo-cho in Akitakata City and the group in Saijo-cho in Shobara City have brought their activities to an end. And some organizations will decide whether or not to continue functioning on or after August 6.

Meanwhile, in Fukuyama City, a new organization was formed in April after an existing organization had dissolved at the end of March. With the child of a survivor assuming the post of president, the new organization has begun its activities. Currently, the number of A-bomb survivors who hold the Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate is 183,519 (as of the end of March, including overseas residents) and their average age is 80.13.

About the survey
Questionnaires were sent by mail in early July. After responses were received, a telephone interview was conducted. The nationwide survey involved 44 organizations: prefectural organizations which comprise the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations; the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (chaired by Kunihiko Sakuma) as an observer entity; and the “Tsuruoka Survivors Association” in Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture, which has ties to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Yamagata Prefecture has no prefectural organization). In the five prefectures in the Chugoku Region, questionnaires were sent to 80 local organizations, associations, and branches that have been recognized by the prefectural organizations, and 77 responded.

(Originally published on July 19, 2015)

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