Nearly 70% of A-bomb survivors concerned about nuclear arms use: poll

Kyodo News

5 days ago

OSAKA - Nearly 70 percent of atomic bomb survivors believe nuclear weapons could be used again, with many citing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's weapons development, according to a Kyodo News survey conducted ahead of the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan.
Many respondents were also not optimistic that last year's Nobel Peace Prize win for Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's leading group of atomic bomb survivors, would help bring about a world without nuclear weapons, with more than 60 percent expecting little or no change.
The survey, which received valid responses from about 1,500 survivors, including those exposed to the bombing in utero, shows that many still view a nuclear crisis as a real possibility despite their efforts to raise awareness of the devastating and inhumane consequences of atomic weapons.
When asked whether the risk of nuclear weapons being used again is increasing, 68.6 percent said it is, 6.7 percent said it is not, and 24.7 percent said they did not know.
Reasons cited by respondents in their 80s for the increased risk of nuclear weapons being used included Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats, the "spread of parochial nationalism," and "a lack of careful consideration in discussions about nuclear use."
Although nearly 80 years have passed since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which are estimated to have killed some 214,000 people by the end of 1945, the largest group of respondents, 45.7 percent, said they "cannot forgive" the United States, followed by 24.3 percent who said they have "no special feelings" and 16.9 percent who said they "did not know."
Turning to their own country, nearly 70 percent of atomic bomb survivors gave a negative assessment of the Japanese government's efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons, citing its refusal to join a U.N. treaty banning the armament.
As the only country to have experienced atomic bombings in war, Japan agrees on the need to pursue a world free of nuclear weapons. However, an outright ban has been incompatible with its policy of relying on U.S. nuclear deterrence for protection against potential threats.
Just under 25 percent said Japan should immediately leave the so-called U.S. nuclear umbrella, while 43.9 percent said it should eventually do so, but that it is too soon at this time.
Those opposed to Japan's exit accounted for 19.6 percent, with one respondent pointing to the "threats" posed by North Korea, China and Russia and another saying that Japan has "no other means to protect itself."
As atomic bomb survivors age, more than 70 percent of respondents said they have never spoken about their experiences, and 45.5 percent said they had no memory of the bombing.
The questionnaire was sent to about 6,600 people starting in February, with the cooperation of groups affiliated with Nihon Hidankyo, or the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations.
Valid responses came from 1,532 people, aged between 79 and 104.
The United States dropped an atomic bomb over Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and detonated a second one above Nagasaki three days later. Japan surrendered six days after the Nagasaki bombing, bringing an end to World War II.