logo
Photo exhibition on atomic bomb microcephaly underway in Tokyo

Photo exhibition on atomic bomb microcephaly underway in Tokyo

NHK2 days ago
An exhibition of photographs featuring people with atomic bomb microcephaly is now underway in Tokyo.
In the atomic bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, some children exposed to radiation while still in their mother's wombs were born with abnormally small heads, or microcephaly. The condition is often accompanied by intellectual and physical disabilities.
The exhibition started on Saturday to mark the 60th anniversary of the launch of Kinokokai, which is a group of people suffering from microcephaly and those supporting them.
The 16 photos on display were taken by two photographers, Shigeta Masahiko and Suganuma Kiyomi, in the 1960s and 1970s.
Some of the photos show the everyday lives of people with atomic bomb microcephaly, such as doing household chores or sitting at a dining table.
In others, they are seen in a hospital living away from their homes. Their families also appear campaigning for relief measures.
People with atomic bomb microcephaly are called the youngest hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombings.
Most of the photos on display have not been made public before due to fears that they could lead to discrimination or prejudice.
A senior member of the group, Hirao Naomasa, said atomic bomb microcephaly is relatively unknown. But Hirao said he wants people to get a glimpse of the lives of those with it and their families and also become aware of the effects of nuclear weapons.
The exhibition runs through Wednesday at Gallery Furuto in Tokyo's Nerima Ward.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Photo exhibition on atomic bomb microcephaly underway in Tokyo
Photo exhibition on atomic bomb microcephaly underway in Tokyo

NHK

time2 days ago

  • NHK

Photo exhibition on atomic bomb microcephaly underway in Tokyo

An exhibition of photographs featuring people with atomic bomb microcephaly is now underway in Tokyo. In the atomic bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, some children exposed to radiation while still in their mother's wombs were born with abnormally small heads, or microcephaly. The condition is often accompanied by intellectual and physical disabilities. The exhibition started on Saturday to mark the 60th anniversary of the launch of Kinokokai, which is a group of people suffering from microcephaly and those supporting them. The 16 photos on display were taken by two photographers, Shigeta Masahiko and Suganuma Kiyomi, in the 1960s and 1970s. Some of the photos show the everyday lives of people with atomic bomb microcephaly, such as doing household chores or sitting at a dining table. In others, they are seen in a hospital living away from their homes. Their families also appear campaigning for relief measures. People with atomic bomb microcephaly are called the youngest hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombings. Most of the photos on display have not been made public before due to fears that they could lead to discrimination or prejudice. A senior member of the group, Hirao Naomasa, said atomic bomb microcephaly is relatively unknown. But Hirao said he wants people to get a glimpse of the lives of those with it and their families and also become aware of the effects of nuclear weapons. The exhibition runs through Wednesday at Gallery Furuto in Tokyo's Nerima Ward.

Online Medical Exams Extended to Livestock Due to Veterinarian Shortage
Online Medical Exams Extended to Livestock Due to Veterinarian Shortage

Yomiuri Shimbun

time2 days ago

  • Yomiuri Shimbun

Online Medical Exams Extended to Livestock Due to Veterinarian Shortage

SAPPORO — Online medical examinations for livestock are becoming more common, particularly in Hokkaido, and a part of the reason is due to a shortage of large animal veterinarians. As veterinarians in Hokkaido sometimes need to travel hundreds of kilometers a day, online medical exams are expected to decrease their burden and help them treat animals more quickly. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry is promoting online exams for livestock, aiming to develop a system in which farmers on remote islands and in other areas that are not easily accessible can get help for their animals. In June, the press was invited to see how an online medical exam was conducted at a dairy farm in Ebetsu, Hokkaido. The farm keeps nearly 650 dairy cows and other animals. By looking at his tablet, veterinarian Shota Tominaga was able to conduct a visual examination of a cow. 'She probably has hypocalcemia after giving birth,' he said, and gave instructions on how medicine should be administered. 'I'll give her the medicine soon,' said farm owner Norihiko Kobayashi, while speaking to Tominaga through the tablet. The online system, developed by Tokyo-based SB Technology Corp., allows farmers to book appointments for their animals, either through the program or via the Line messaging app. During the exam, they can speak to the veterinarian via their smartphone or tablet, and medical records are kept in the cloud. According to the Nosai Hokkaido agricultural mutual aid association, the system is being used by 71 veterinary clinics in the region. In almost one year, the system has been used to conduct about 330 medical exams on cows and horses. The online system has enabled veterinarians to examine animals more efficiently in Hokkaido, where farms are far apart. The system also means fewer people visit the farms, reducing the risk of spreading infectious diseases among animals. The agriculture ministry hopes the system will also help shorten exam time and reduce costs. Tominaga says he sometimes visits up to 10 farmers a day. 'Most of my working hours are spent driving,' he said. 'As [the system] reduces travel time, I think I'll be able to treat illnesses more quickly.' Nosai Hokkaido aims to develop a system, based on medical records, by the end of this fiscal year in which medicines that will likely be necessary will be distributed in advance so farmers can administer them as soon as veterinarians tell them to do so. This means farmers will have to have the necessary telecommunication equipment, acquire skills and learn how to administer medicines. 'I believe online exams will be conducted more and more,' said Shigeru Nakao, 60, chief of Nosai Hokkaido's livestock department. The system has also been introduced by Nosai Okinawa, a similar mutual aid association in Okinawa Prefecture, as well as some animal clinics in the Kyushu and Tohoku regions. According to the ministry, 40,455 people had veterinary licenses as of 2022, about 40% of whom worked at animal hospitals for pets. In contrast, only 4,460 veterinarians worked with livestock, meaning there is a shortage of large animal veterinarians. Nosai associations provide mutual aid programs that cover medical costs for livestock owned by member farmers. To promote online medical exams, the ministry had these exams be covered by the programs starting in fiscal 2023.

Immune cells that worsen asthma can ease lung inflammation, Japan study shows
Immune cells that worsen asthma can ease lung inflammation, Japan study shows

Japan Times

time3 days ago

  • Japan Times

Immune cells that worsen asthma can ease lung inflammation, Japan study shows

A Japanese research team has found that cells often labeled "villains" for their roles in atopic dermatitis and asthma can alleviate lung inflammation. The team of researchers from the Institute of Science Tokyo has discovered that basophils, immune cells that are present in very small numbers in the blood, play a crucial role in recovery from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which occurs in severe pneumonia and similar conditions. The findings, published Thursday in the European Respiratory Journal, may pave the way for new treatments. ARDS is triggered by severe pneumonia or sepsis and causes significant inflammation in the lungs. Mechanical ventilation is often required, with the fatality rate reaching 30% to 50%. No effective drug therapy has been established. Associate professor Kensuke Miyake and other members of the team observed the recovery process in mice that exhibited ARDS-like symptoms. They found that basophils gather in the lungs during the recovery phase and secrete a substance called interleukin-4, which alleviates inflammation by suppressing the activity of neutrophils, which are immune cells that contribute to inflammation. Mice in which the functions of basophils and interleukin-4 were blocked showed prolonged lung inflammation and worse symptoms, supporting the case for their essential role in recovery. The team describes the research result as a "discovery that defies conventional wisdom."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store