A-bomb survivors are active in Hiroshima, one day before foreign ministers meet
Apr. 10, 2016
by Kyosuke Mizukawa, Staff Writer
Leaders of foreign policy for the G7 nations and the European Union are set to visit Hiroshima to take part in the meeting of foreign ministers on April 10 and 11. On April 9, the day before the meeting opens, A-bomb survivors engaged in activities at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. One shared his account of the atomic bombing. Others collected signatures for a petition which calls for the elimination of nuclear arms. They hope that the visit to Hiroshima by the foreign ministers can contribute to the cause of realizing a world without nuclear weapons.
Takashi Teramoto, 81, concluded his account of the atomic bombing with these words: “U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other leaders with the power to steer international politics will visit the Peace Memorial Park. I hope they will work to create a world without nuclear weapons and war.” Visitors from the United States listened to Mr. Teramoto’s account of the atomic bombing through an interpreter and nodded thoughtfully at his words at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, located within the park.
Mr. Teramoto was in fifth grade when he experienced the atomic bombing while at home in Hirosekita-machi (part of today’s Naka Ward), one kilometer from the hypocenter. His mother was with him when the bomb exploded and died nine days later. Hoping to be of help by sharing his memories of that tragic time, Mr. Teramoto began telling his story in 2000. In 2008, he shared his experience at A-bomb exhibitions in six cities in four U.S. states.
Mr. Teramoto tells how the atomic bomb exploded above the heads of the residents of Hiroshima. “My family and friends were killed,” he says. “Naturally, I was angry and filled with hate toward the U.S. But now I’d rather share my memories of this tragedy and my wish for peace with others so a sad event like this will never happen again in our children’s and grandchildren’s lifetimes.”
Meanwhile, Kunihiko Sakuma, 71, the chair of one faction of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, and other members of the group gathered at the Motoyasu Bridge near the A-bomb Dome. They asked people on the street to give their signatures to support the realization of a nuclear weapons convention.
A nuclear weapons convention is an important issue for Mayors for Peace, for which Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui serves as president. But the nuclear weapon states, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, did not join the first meeting of a U.N. working group in February to discuss measures to advance nuclear disarmament, including legal provisions. Mr. Sakuma said he wants the foreign ministers to see the inhumanity of nuclear weapons with their own eyes and start negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention.
(Originally published on April 10, 2016)
Leaders of foreign policy for the G7 nations and the European Union are set to visit Hiroshima to take part in the meeting of foreign ministers on April 10 and 11. On April 9, the day before the meeting opens, A-bomb survivors engaged in activities at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. One shared his account of the atomic bombing. Others collected signatures for a petition which calls for the elimination of nuclear arms. They hope that the visit to Hiroshima by the foreign ministers can contribute to the cause of realizing a world without nuclear weapons.
Takashi Teramoto, 81, concluded his account of the atomic bombing with these words: “U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other leaders with the power to steer international politics will visit the Peace Memorial Park. I hope they will work to create a world without nuclear weapons and war.” Visitors from the United States listened to Mr. Teramoto’s account of the atomic bombing through an interpreter and nodded thoughtfully at his words at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, located within the park.
Mr. Teramoto was in fifth grade when he experienced the atomic bombing while at home in Hirosekita-machi (part of today’s Naka Ward), one kilometer from the hypocenter. His mother was with him when the bomb exploded and died nine days later. Hoping to be of help by sharing his memories of that tragic time, Mr. Teramoto began telling his story in 2000. In 2008, he shared his experience at A-bomb exhibitions in six cities in four U.S. states.
Mr. Teramoto tells how the atomic bomb exploded above the heads of the residents of Hiroshima. “My family and friends were killed,” he says. “Naturally, I was angry and filled with hate toward the U.S. But now I’d rather share my memories of this tragedy and my wish for peace with others so a sad event like this will never happen again in our children’s and grandchildren’s lifetimes.”
Meanwhile, Kunihiko Sakuma, 71, the chair of one faction of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, and other members of the group gathered at the Motoyasu Bridge near the A-bomb Dome. They asked people on the street to give their signatures to support the realization of a nuclear weapons convention.
A nuclear weapons convention is an important issue for Mayors for Peace, for which Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui serves as president. But the nuclear weapon states, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, did not join the first meeting of a U.N. working group in February to discuss measures to advance nuclear disarmament, including legal provisions. Mr. Sakuma said he wants the foreign ministers to see the inhumanity of nuclear weapons with their own eyes and start negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention.
(Originally published on April 10, 2016)
