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Japan Times
13 hours ago
- General
- Japan Times
Hiroshima schoolboy keeps memories of war alive with guided tours in English
Since the age of 7, Japanese schoolboy Shun Sasaki has been offering free guided tours to foreign visitors at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with a mission: ensuring that the horrors of nuclear war do not fade from memory with the passage of time. Now age 12, Shun has conveyed that message to some 2,000 visitors, recounting in his imperfect but confident English the experiences of his great grandmother, a hibakusha who survived the atomic bomb. "I want them to come to Hiroshima and know about what happened in Hiroshima on Aug. 6," Shun said in English, referring to the day the bomb was dropped in 1945. "I want them to know how bad is war and how good is peace. Instead of fighting, we should talk to each other about the good things of each other," he said. About twice a month Shun makes his way to the peace park wearing a yellow bib, with the words "Please feel free to talk to me in English!" splashed across the back, hoping to educate tourists about his hometown. His volunteer work has earned him the honor of being selected as one of two local children to speak at this year's ceremony to commemorate 80 years since the A-bomb was dropped — its first use in war. Shun is now the same age as his great-grandmother Yuriko Sasaki was when she was buried under rubble as her house, about 1.5 kilometers from the hypocenter, collapsed from the force of the blast. She died in 2002, at age 69, of colorectal cancer, having survived breast cancer decades earlier. The uranium bomb instantly killed about 78,000 people and by the end of 1945 the number of dead, including from radiation exposure, had reached about 140,000. The U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki on Aug. 9. Canadian Chris Lowe said Shun's guided tour provided a level of appreciation that went beyond reading plaques on museum walls. "To hear that about his family ... it surely wrapped it up, brought it home and made it much more personal. So it was outstanding for him to share that," he said. Shun said he plans to continue with the tours as long as he can. "The most dangerous thing is to forget what happened a long time ago ... so I think we should pass the story to the next generation, and then never forget it ever again."
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
In Hiroshima, a schoolboy keeps memories of war alive with guided tours
In Hiroshima, a schoolboy keeps memories of war alive with guided tours By Rikako Maruyama HIROSHIMA, Japan (Reuters) -Since the age of seven, Japanese schoolboy Shun Sasaki has been offering free guided tours to foreign visitors of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with a mission: ensuring that the horrors of nuclear war do not fade from memory with the passage of time. Aged 12 now, Shun has conveyed that message to some 2,000 visitors, recounting in his imperfect but confident English the experiences of his great-grandmother, a 'hibakusha' who survived the atomic bomb. "I want them to come to Hiroshima and know about what happened in Hiroshima on August 6," Shun said in English, referring to the day the bomb was dropped in 1945. "I want them to know how bad is war and how good is peace. Instead of fighting, we should talk to each other about the good things of each other," he said. About twice a month, Shun makes his way to the peace park wearing a yellow bib with the words "Please feel free to talk to me in English!" splashed across the back, hoping to educate tourists about his hometown. His volunteer work has earned him the honour of being selected as one of two local children to speak at this year's ceremony to commemorate 80 years since the A-bomb was dropped -- its first use in war. Shun is now the same age as when his great-grandmother Yuriko Sasaki was buried under rubble when her house, about 1.5 km (0.9 mile) from the hypocentre, collapsed from the force of the blast. She died of colorectal cancer aged 69 in 2002, having survived breast cancer decades earlier. The uranium bomb instantly killed about 78,000 people and by the end of 1945 the number of dead, including from radiation exposure, reached about 140,000. The U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August 9. Canadian Chris Lowe said Shun's guided tour provided a level of appreciation that went beyond reading plaques on museum walls. "To hear that about his family... it surely wrapped it up, brought it home and made it much more personal. So it was outstanding for him to share that," he said. Shun said he plans to continue with the tours as long as he can. "The most dangerous thing is to forget what happened a long time ago… so I think we should pass the story to the next generation, and then, never forget it, ever again."
Reuters
17 hours ago
- Reuters
In Hiroshima, a schoolboy keeps memories of war alive with guided tours
HIROSHIMA, Japan, July 31 (Reuters) - Since the age of seven, Japanese schoolboy Shun Sasaki has been offering free guided tours to foreign visitors of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with a mission: ensuring that the horrors of nuclear war do not fade from memory with the passage of time. Aged 12 now, Shun has conveyed that message to some 2,000 visitors, recounting in his imperfect but confident English the experiences of his great-grandmother, a 'hibakusha' who survived the atomic bomb. "I want them to come to Hiroshima and know about what happened in Hiroshima on August 6," Shun said in English, referring to the day the bomb was dropped in 1945. "I want them to know how bad is war and how good is peace. Instead of fighting, we should talk to each other about the good things of each other," he said. About twice a month, Shun makes his way to the peace park wearing a yellow bib with the words "Please feel free to talk to me in English!" splashed across the back, hoping to educate tourists about his hometown. His volunteer work has earned him the honour of being selected as one of two local children to speak at this year's ceremony to commemorate 80 years since the A-bomb was dropped -- its first use in war. Shun is now the same age as when his great-grandmother Yuriko Sasaki was buried under rubble when her house, about 1.5 km (0.9 mile) from the hypocentre, collapsed from the force of the blast. She died of colorectal cancer aged 69 in 2002, having survived breast cancer decades earlier. The uranium bomb instantly killed about 78,000 people and by the end of 1945 the number of dead, including from radiation exposure, reached about 140,000. The U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August 9. Canadian Chris Lowe said Shun's guided tour provided a level of appreciation that went beyond reading plaques on museum walls. "To hear that about his family... it surely wrapped it up, brought it home and made it much more personal. So it was outstanding for him to share that," he said. Shun said he plans to continue with the tours as long as he can. "The most dangerous thing is to forget what happened a long time ago… so I think we should pass the story to the next generation, and then, never forget it, ever again."
Arab News
17 hours ago
- Arab News
In Hiroshima, a schoolboy keeps memories of war alive with guided tours
HIROSHIMA: Since the age of seven, Japanese schoolboy Shun Sasaki has been offering free guided tours to foreign visitors of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with a mission: ensuring that the horrors of nuclear war do not fade from memory with the passage of 12 now, Shun has conveyed that message to some 2,000 visitors, recounting in his imperfect but confident English the experiences of his great-grandmother, a 'hibakusha' who survived the atomic bomb.'I want them to come to Hiroshima and know about what happened in Hiroshima on August 6,' Shun said in English, referring to the day the bomb was dropped in 1945.'I want them to know how bad is war and how good is peace. Instead of fighting, we should talk to each other about the good things of each other,' he twice a month, Shun makes his way to the peace park wearing a yellow bib with the words 'Please feel free to talk to me in English!' splashed across the back, hoping to educate tourists about his volunteer work has earned him the honor of being selected as one of two local children to speak at this year's ceremony to commemorate 80 years since the A-bomb was dropped — its first use in is now the same age as when his great-grandmother Yuriko Sasaki was buried under rubble when her house, about 1.5 km (0.9 mile) from the hypocenter, collapsed from the force of the blast. She died of colorectal cancer aged 69 in 2002, having survived breast cancer decades uranium bomb instantly killed about 78,000 people and by the end of 1945 the number of dead, including from radiation exposure, reached about 140,000. The US dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August Chris Lowe said Shun's guided tour provided a level of appreciation that went beyond reading plaques on museum walls.'To hear that about his family... it surely wrapped it up, brought it home and made it much more personal. So it was outstanding for him to share that,' he said he plans to continue with the tours as long as he can.'The most dangerous thing is to forget what happened a long time ago… so I think we should pass the story to the next generation, and then, never forget it, ever again.'
Times of Oman
6 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."
