Hiroshima A-bomb survivors share war experiences in English for foreign tourists

HIROSHIMA — Many foreign visitors learned about the reality of the atomic bombing at a lecture event held here on Aug. 6, where two Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors, or hibakusha, shared their experiences and thoughts on peace in English.

At the event held at the International Conference Center Hiroshima in the city’s Naka Ward, Keiko Ogura, 87, the director of the Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace, shared her horrific experience of Aug. 6, 1945. Ogura, who was exposed to the atomic bombing about 2.4 kilometers from the hypocenter, talked about scenes from that time, including the dizzying flash of the blast and the heartbreaking sight of victims begging for water. She also stressed the horror of nuclear weapons to the participants.

A French man, 25, who attended the event, said he felt sentimental after hearing the stories of the hibakusha. He said that atomic bombs should never be used again.

After the lectures, there was a session for exchanging opinions with the participants. Another speaker, Kazuhiko Futagawa, 78, an in-utero A-bomb survivor, said, “I was glad that the younger generation from abroad came to this event. I’d like to participate in more and more (events like this) if I have the chance, with the aim of nuclear abolition.”

(Japanese original by Hayato Matsubara, Matsue Bureau)