Latest news with #Hibakusha
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Hiroshima marks 80 years since atomic bombing with message of peace
Hiroshima: The year 2025 marks a significant milestone- 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is a solemn and memorable year for both cities, especially Hiroshima, which continues to share its message of world peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons. To commemorate this occasion, Hiroshima City and its partners are showcasing powerful evidence of the devastation caused by the atomic bomb. Their goal is to spread the "Hiroshima Spirit" -- a global call for everlasting peace and the complete elimination of nuclear arms. As part of these efforts, the interior of the Atomic Bomb Dome -- a place usually off-limits to the public -- has been opened to the media. This rare access serves as a powerful symbol, offering the world a first-hand look at the remains of the catastrophe. Inside the dome lie broken bricks, collapsed stones, and deformed steel frames, all damaged by the blast. In 1996, the Atomic Bomb Dome was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, standing as a reminder of the horrors of nuclear warfare. Before the bombing, approximately 6,500 people lived in what is now the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Today, their remains lie beneath the ground. Every year, citizens gather to offer prayers, saying: "Please sleep peacefully. We shall not repeat the same mistake." An estimated 1,40,000 people died as a result of the bombing in 1945. As of now, around 2,50,000 survivors -- known as Hibakusha -- are still alive, serving as living witnesses to the tragedy. However, as time passes and survivors age, Hiroshima City is taking steps to preserve their testimonies for future generations. To ensure these stories live on, the city has introduced a Legacy Successor Training Program, aimed at training younger generations to share the survivors' experiences. Additionally, a ground-breaking AI-based testimony simulation has been developed. It features virtual interviews with six survivors, including 94-year-old Yoshiko Kajimoto. On one side, she appears in a recorded video, while on the other, an interactive AI avatar answers audience questions. The system includes responses to over 900 questions, selected by AI. Explaining her decision to participate, Ms Kajimoto said, "Even after I am gone, the horror of the atomic bombing must not be forgotten. I want future generations to know and remember. I'm happy to support this project." Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui emphasized the city's commitment to peace. He said, "To preserve the memory of this tragedy, we are training the next generation to carry on the testimonies. In a world where conflicts still erupt, Hiroshima sends a message of peace and nonviolence." He also extended a message to India and said, "We received a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, a symbol of nonviolence. I sincerely hope that India will embody this ideal and work toward a peaceful society and the abolition of nuclear weapons."
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan antinuke groups criticize Sanseito politician's call for nuclear armament
TOKYO -- The co-chair of a Nobel Peace Prize-winning atomic bomb survivors' group on July 23 criticized a member of the Sanseito party for declaring Japan should have nuclear weapons. Three organizations, including the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), which won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, issued a joint statement marking the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings and held a press conference in Tokyo on July 23. A reporter questioned the groups about comments by Saya, who was elected in the Tokyo constituency in the July 20 House of Councillors election. The Sanseito member advocated for Japan to acquire atomic armaments, stating, "Nuclear armament is the cheapest option." Nihon Hidankyo co-chair Terumi Tanaka, 93, criticized her statement, saying, "It's shameful for Japanese politicians to discuss nuclear weapons on the premise of using them." Masakazu Yasui, 70, secretary-general of the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), also called Saya's comment "a dangerous trend," adding, "Could she say the same thing in front of atomic bomb survivors? What happens if even one atomic bomb is used? That is what survivors have risked their lives to warn people about." Masashi Tani, 45, secretary-general of the Japan Congress against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikin), commented, "These were things that should not be said lightly. I feel a sense of crisis that the barriers to nuclear weapons are being lowered, including in the international community." Tanaka, who was exposed to atomic bomb radiation at age 13 at his home about 3.2 kilometers from the hypocenter in Nagasaki and lost five relatives, stated, "Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) have always said nuclear weapons must never be used. All politicians should eliminate any thinking that presupposes using nuclear power as a weapon." The Sanseito policy states, "To protect Japan, which is surrounded by nuclear-armed countries, and in light of the harsh realities of the international community, we set nuclear abolition as a long-term goal, but for now, to protect Japan, we must possess deterrence that prevents nuclear-armed countries from using nuclear weapons." (Japanese original by Tohru Shirakawa, Tokyo Bureau)
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Perth councillor calls to abolish nuclear weapons
The City of Perth council will be asked to support a campaign led by local governments across the country for Australia to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The motion from Cr Clyde Bevan seeks to formally endorse the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Cities Appeal (ICAN), a global initiative urging national governments to ban nuclear weapons under international law. More than 50 other local governments in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the ACT Government, have declared their support for nuclear disarmament. WA local governments who have endorsed the ICAN include Bassendean, Fremantle, Cockburn and Augusta-Margaret River. Cr Bevan's motion also calls for the council to acknowledge the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, which claimed the lives of about 210,000 people. 'We honour the victims of these attacks, and the Hibakusha and Hibakunesei who continue to live with the legacy of nuclear weapons,' his motion states. Cr Bevan said it would send a clear message to Federal leaders. 'Our cities are the targets — we should be leading the call for their protection,' he said. 'The only thing preventing disaster is luck — and luck is not a security strategy.' He argued that although nuclear disarmament was a global issue, it had local implications. 'If protecting our cities and our people from weapons designed to destroy them isn't a local responsibility, then what is?' he said. A city officer's report said that although endorsing the ICAN carried no legal weight, it was a public statement of the council's values. 'These local governments believe that they have a role to play in raising awareness and building support for nuclear disarmament and some councils state that they are also motivated by a desire to protect their communities from the potential dangers associated with nuclear weapons,' it said. ICAN was founded in Melbourne and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its advocacy in helping bring about the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which prohibits the development, possession, use or threat of nuclear weapons and requires countries to assist victims and clean up areas affected by nuclear testing and bombings. ICAN was developed in Melbourne and has won a Nobel Peace prize. Credit: Clare Conboy 'Despite strong public support, Australia has not yet signed (the treaty), even though both major parties have committed to doing so in principle,' Cr Bevan said in his motion. Australia signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1973 and is part of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone. Cr Bevan said the organisation's legacy was an example of Australia's leadership on the world stage. 'Australia has a proud history of supporting treaties that ban indiscriminate, inhumane weapons,' he said. 'We've stood against landmines, cluster bombs, and chemical weapons — it's time we do the same for nuclear weapons, the most dangerous of all.' The council is scheduled to consider the proposal at its July 29 meeting.
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
We Have Turned The Nagasaki 80th Into A Celebration Of Israeli Genocide
Israel's key enablers, the G7, plus Australia and New Zealand, have succeeded in muscling Israel back onto the invite list for the commemorations in Nagasaki on 9 August. Last year Israel was excluded, triggering a refusal by these countries to attend in 2024. Does the 'personal' invitation that Nagasaki has just sent to Israel represent a triumph of Western diplomacy or a sick joke? You know who your mates are when you're committing genocide As I wrote at the time, the boycott by the powerful white-dominated Western nations was a stunning 'Fuck you' to the Hibakusha, the last few survivors of the US's 1945 nuclear attack. More importantly it was as clear a statement of collective commitment to Israel's war on Palestine as you could possibly wish for. You really find out who your true mates are when you're committing genocide. At the time, Shigemitsu Tanaka, the 83-year-old head of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council, said he supported the move to keep the Israelis away from the commemorations, saying it was inappropriate to invite representatives from countries waging armed conflicts in defiance of calls from the international community. Israel's invitation is a triumph of Western pressure A year later, the City buckled under pressure and has personally invited the Israelis. 'After Israel was excluded last year over the Gaza war, Nagasaki's mayor is avoiding renewed diplomatic tensions – especially following a clear message from the US,' Israel's most popular news site, Ynet reported this month. It is a triumph for Netanyahu and his government, cause for celebration in Tel Aviv, but diminishes the nobility of an event that was created with the explicit intention to say Never Again and to remind the world of the indefensible criminality of attacks on defenceless civilian populations. Nagasaki and the Boycott Israel campaign Israel goes to incredible lengths to break efforts to impose BDS (Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions) and so Nagasaki had to be brought to heel. July 2025 marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of BDS, a non-violent campaign designed to hold Israel accountable for its crimes and apply real-world pressure for the state to change course. BDS is potentially a game-changer which is why Israeli government ministers routinely make threats of physical violence against leading BDS activists. Israel Katz, currently the Israeli Defence Minister is on record as calling for Israel to engage in 'targeted civil eliminations' of BDS leaders with the help of Israeli intelligence. 70,000 tons of bombs on Gaza – and Israel is invited to a peace ceremony Think for a moment what the presence of Israel at this year's event represents as an astonishing piece of semiology. A state that is actively committing the crime of crimes, genocide, sitting alongside the Hibakusha. They won't be the only war criminals in attendance. American, German, and British bombs have levelled the tiny enclave of Gaza. More of their bombs – 70,000 tons and climbing – have been used to massacre Palestinians in Gaza than were used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (36,000 tons), the fire bombings of Tokyo (1,665 tons) and Dresden (3,900 tons), and the London Blitz (19,000 tons) combined. And it is happening on our watch. Another piece of astonishing optics: less than two months ago the US and Israel bombed Iran's nuclear facilities, doing so with no UN mandate but only their position as powerful, lawless states. Their actions dramatically raise the prospect of Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and others deciding they need nuclear weapons as deterrence. What look will the US and Israeli ambassadors cast over their faces as the Mayor of Nagasaki delivers the message of "Nagasaki's wish for the establishment of lasting world peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons?' Is the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize the next to be trashed? Talking of tone deaf and morally repellent, Donald Trump has been openly lobbying to receive the Nobel Peace Prize despite having killed thousands of people and bombed multiple countries this year. Interestingly, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner was Nihon Hidankyo (Japan's Atomic Bomb Survivors Organization). In his acceptance speech last year, Terumi Tanaka, one of the Co-Chairpersons of Nihon Hidankyo, said that the organisation was created in 1956 'to demand the immediate abolition of nuclear weapons, as extremely inhumane weapons of mass killing, which must not be allowed to coexist with humanity.' New Zealand is a genocide enabler. What happened to our soft power? As a New Zealander I am deeply ashamed of my country for having refused to attend last year's ceremony and for its criminal complicity with Israel today. New Zealand's tragic trajectory from humanitarian champions and nuclear-free pioneers to racist genocide enablers is captured in all its horror in this month's Nagasaki commemorations. New Zealand, the country that went to the brink of civil war in 1981 to stop sporting contact with Apartheid South Africa is now a fully-paid up member of Apartheid Israel's war on Palestine. Everywhere our government is tearing down the pillars built by decades of struggle in New Zealand. The anti-nuclear policy, the anti-apartheid victories, the non-aligned foreign policies, the sacred principles of partnership between indigenous Maori and the Pakeha (those who settled from Europe and elsewhere) are all being shredded. We refuse to recognize Palestine, we refuse to join South Africa's case against Israel at the ICJ, we refuse to join the Hague Group which is mobilising countries to make those responsible for the genocide accountable and to shoulder state-level responsibility for forcing the end to it. But we mobilise to get Israel invited to the Nagasaki peace events. From Auschwitz to Nagasaki to Gaza: whatever happened to Never Again? Whatever happened to our decency? The Australian journalist Caitlin Johnstone wrote this month 'If you're still supporting Israel in the year 2025, there's something seriously wrong with you as a person.' That goes triple for governments. Eugene Doyle
