Hiroshima A-bomb survivor

“August 6, 1945 is a special day for me as if it were my second birthday. On that day at the age of nine, I was A-bombed in the living room of my house located about 1.2 miles away from the epicenter in Hiroshima.

“All of sudden brilliant flash hit above my head. It changed the city of Hiroshima thoroughly. The scene that developed afterwards was beyond description and just like a hell on the earth.

“During early period after the bombing, most Hibakusha hid their bombed experience for fear of discrimination. I was also silent with uneasy feelings because my thoughts went out to the mortifying victims of the A-bomb on that day. Sometimes the busy pressure at work made me forget that day.

“About 30 years ago, I happened to see my friend on TV among the participants of the march for nuclear abolition. This happening incited me to join the nuclear abolition movement. Since then, referring my experience of the bombing on that day, I have been explaining that nuclear weapons are inhuman and indiscriminate weapons quite different from the ordinary weapons. I dedicate my life and time appealing for nuclear abolition to those who do not know about the A-bomb, especially to the young generation.”

For filmed testimony visit the video page of our website.