Contents

Contents

Dedicated to those who survived the atomic bombings

only to suffer continued fear and anxiety because of the lasting danger from radiation

May the souls of the departed lie in peaceful repose

May those still living and suffering be beacons shining brightly so that all humankind
can see the evil of nuclear weapons

Copyright © 2007 by Nanao Kamada

One Day in Hiroshima − An Oral History
 published by Japanese affiliate of IPPNW( International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War )

JPPNW c/o Hiroshima Prefectural Medical Association

1-1-1Kanonhonmachi, Nishiku, Hiroshima 733-8540, Japan
Tel: +81 82 232 7211 Fax: +81 82 293 3363
http://www.hiroshima.med.or.jp/kenisikai/ippnw/default.htm
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Designed by Shift Project

Originally published in Japanese by Shift Project and Nanao Kamada, Hiroshima,2005
 Contents

By Nanao Kamada. M.D

Translation Editors Richard C. Parker
Rick Nelson
    Translators Keiko Ogura
Yoshie Ozaki
Megumi Shimo
Megumi Morita

No part of this book maybe reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN978-4-9903680-0-5
All rights reserved, 2007
 Contents

Foreword
Although the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and I wrote One Day in Hiroshima-An Oral History because although
Nagasaki was chosen in a national poll of American journalists in most people are aware there are lingering after-effects from
the year 2000 as the top news story of the 20th century, not much is radiation, few know that there are still survivors who continue to
ever said about what it is like for those who experienced and suffer from second or third cancers because of radiation damage. It
survived the attacks. Furthermore, those countries that now possess is presented in three parts: “Past,” “Present” and “Future” with
nuclear arms continually flaunt their overwhelming military power many photos and technical explanations to help you get a better
and use the threat of their nuclear arsenals in order to maintain their understanding. It is an interview of an elderly woman who survived
economic advantage. Because the nuclear bomb is a weapon of the bombing in Hiroshima and she answers various questions about
mass destruction with tremendous power to kill indiscriminately, her life after the attack. Her experiences were shared by many
much work needs to be done to limit their numbers and not allow others and I hope this book helps you to understand the actual
other countries to develop their own. situation of the survivors. Unfortunately, she passed away before it
was published.
Having experienced the A-bombing and its suffering, Japan has a
mission to convey the reality of the damage caused by nuclear It would be my greatest pleasure if this book contributes to peace
weapons and speak out strongly against them ever being used activities by many people from all over the world. I hope it
again. Atomic bombs have the capacity to not only kill masses of encourages you to start thinking about what you can do toward
people instantly, but they also emit radiation that destroys the genes building a more peaceful world without nuclear weapons.
of people who managed to survive the initial blast. Not only do the
bombs cause physical harm, but they also are a source of crippling
fear and anxiety to the survivors for the rest of their lives.

At present, the people of Japan have enjoyed peace without having

to experience war for over 60 years and there are few countries in
the world that can say this. I think we can say that the atomic
bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the
catalyst that led us to renounce war and establish a new
constitution to start the reconstruction of Japan. As a result we have
been able to live in peace.

4 ● ● 5
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Contents
→
click here
Q1: How did you come to live in this nursing home?… ……………………………  10 Q1-2: Nursing Homes for the A-bomb Survivors… …………………………………  11
[[ Past ]] [[ Past ]]
Q2: Where were you when the A-bomb was dropped?………………………………  12 Q2-2: Disaster of the A-bomb… ………………………………………………………  13
Q3: What was your family doing when the bomb went off?…………………………  14 Q3-2: Disintegration of Families due to the A-bombing… …………………………  15
Q4: How does the A-bomb differ from regular bombs? … …………………………  16 Q4-2: A-Bomb Energy……………………………………………………………………  17
Q5: What is radioactivity?… ……………………………………………………………  18 Q5-2: Types and Properties of Radiation… ……………………………………………  19
Q6: Who was the first to discover radiation?… ………………………………………  20 Q6-2: History of Radiation Damage… …………………………………………………  21
Q7: What’ s the difference between Hiroshima’ s bomb and Nagasaki’ s?… ……  22 Q7-2: Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombs' Differences……………………………………  23
Q8: How many children lost their parents in the A-bombing?………………………  24 Q8-2: Facilities for the A-bombed Orphans……………………………………………  25
Q9: Was everyone A-bombed in this facility?… ………………………………………  26 Q9-2: A-bombed Lonely-Elderly… ……………………………………………………  27
Q10: How much radiation were you exposed to?………………………………………  28 Q10-2: Estimation of Radiation Dosage …………………………………………………  29
Q11: What was the city like after the bombing?… ……………………………………  30 Q11-2: Preserving A-bomb Survivors’ Memories in Drawings… ……………………  31
Q12: How was your health after the A-bomb was dropped?… ………………………  32 Q12-2: Acute Physical Disorders …………………………………………………………  33
Q13: Why did you became sick after two weeks?………………………………………  34 Q13-2: Radiation Dose and Acute Radiation Symptom… ……………………………  35
Q14: What is leukemia?……………………………………………………………………  36 Q14-2: Erection of the “Children’ s Peace Monument”… ……………………………  37
Q15: When did leukemia become more common?… …………………………………  38 Q15-2: A-bomb Radiation and Leukemia… ……………………………………………  39
Q16: What other cancers were seen besides leukemia?… ……………………………  40 Q16-2: Time of Occurrence of Malignant Tumors Vary with Illness… ………………  41
Q17: What other illnesses were seen besides cancer?… ……………………………  42 Q17-2: Although Not Ill, Health Irregularities Are Seen Among Survivors
Q18: Were babies exposed to radiation in their mothers’ wombs affected?… ……  44 Exposed to Radiation… …………………………………………………………  43
Q18-2: Radioactive Effects on Prenatally Exposed A-bomb Survivors… ……………  45
Q19: What are cataracts?… ………………………………………………………………  46
Q19-2: Radiation Dose and Incidence of Cataracts… …………………………………  47
Q20: What is a keloid?… …………………………………………………………………  48
Q20-2: Visible Effects of A-bomb Heat Rays… …………………………………………  49
Q21: Where are chromosomes located?…………………………………………………  50
Q21-2: Frequency of Chromosome Aberrations is Proportional to Radiation Dose…  51
[[ Present ]]
[[ Present ]]
Q22-2: Changes in A-bomb Survivors' Population… …………………………………  53
Q22: How many A-bomb survivors are there in Japan now?… ……………………… 52
Q23-2: Medical Examinations of A-bomb Survivors Living Abroad… ………………  55
Q23: How many A-bomb survivors are living overseas?… …………………………… 54
Q24-2: A Day at the Nursing Home and Yearly Events…………………………………  57
Q24: Don’ t you feel lonely at times?… ………………………………………………… 56
Q25-2: Key Points of the Peace Declarations……………………………………………  59
Q25: How do you spend August Sixth?… ………………………………………………  58
Q26-2: Psychological Burden Borne by A-bomb Survivors……………………………  61
Q26: How does radiation physically and mentally affect people?… ………………… 60
Q27-2: Trend in Number of Publications Concerning A-bomb Experiences… ………  63
Q27: How did you begin teaching others about your A-bomb experience?… ……  62

6 ● ● 7
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Q28: Does radiation still cause cancer to A-bomb survivors?…………………………  64 Q28-2: High Incidence of Cancer in Recent Days………………………………………  65
Q29: Why do survivors have to suffer from three cancers?……………………………  66 Q29-2: Increasing Incidence of a Second Cancer………………………………………  67
Q30: What do you do when you get sick?… ……………………………………………  68 Q30-2: Radiation Induced Diseases Designated by the National Government
Q31: What about hospital payments?……………………………………………………  70 and Various Allowances… ………………………………………………………  69
Q31-2: National Budget for A-bomb Survivors…………………………………………  71
Q32: Can survivors have X-rays?… ………………………………………………………  72
Q32-2: What Level of Radiation Are We Exposed to from an X-ray Medical
Q33: Does everyone receive radiation in daily life?… …………………………………  74
Examination?………………………………………………………………………  73
Q34: What was the Atomic Bomb Dome used for before the A-bombing?…………  76
Q33-2: Radiation Is Used in Many Fields…………………………………………………  75
Q35: Do any other A-bombed buildings remain besides the Dome?… ……………  78
Q34-2: Designation as a World Heritage Site……………………………………………  77
Q36: When was the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims built?…………………………  80
Q35-2: Preservation of A-bombed Buildings……………………………………………  79
Q37: How many monuments are there in Peace Memorial Park?… …………………  82
Q36-2: Historical Changes in the Peace Memorial Ceremony … ……………………  81
Q38: Are there trees damaged by the bomb that still survive?… ……………………  84
Q37-2: A Map of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and its Surrounding Areas………  83
Q39: Are the A-bombed buildings and trees the only things that still remain?… …  86
Q38-2: Surviving Trees… …………………………………………………………………  85
Q39-2: Excavation of Victims' Remains… ………………………………………………  87
[[ Future ]] [[ Future ]]
Q40: The number of A-bomb survivors is going to decrease, right?… ………………  88 Q40-2: The Study of A-bomb Survivors Contributes to International Society………  89
Q41: Were the children of A-bomb survivors affected?… ……………………………  90 Q41-2: Health Study of Children of A-bomb Survivors (Second-Generation)… ……  91
Q42: What can we do to stop the use of atomic bombs?……………………………  92 Q42-2: Practical Examples of “Peace Study” by Junior and High School Students… …  93
Q43: What are adults doing to seek peace?… …………………………………………  94 Q43-2: “Nuclear-Weapon Free Zones” Declaration… …………………………………  95
Q44: What can we do to make the world more peaceful?… …………………………  96 Q44-2: Telling the Effects of the A-bomb to the Next Generations– What Can We
Q45: Thank you for sharing your experience with me…………………………………  98 Do?… ………………………………………………………………………………  97
Q45-2: Hiroshima and Japan’ s Roles for Building Peace… …………………………  99

[[ Resource Materials ]]
Radiation Dose… ……………………………………………………………………  100
References… …………………………………………………………………………  101
Material Sources… …………………………………………………………………  102
Suggested Reading List……………………………………………………………  103 Active Groups for Peace … ………………………………………………………  114
Museum Special Services…………………………………………………………  104 Acknowledgment……………………………………………………………………  118
Past Peace Declarations……………………………………………………………  106
Index… …………………………………………………………………………………  112 The words or phrases emphasized in bold type in the text are defined in detail in
footnotes.
8 ● ● 9
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How did you come to live in this Nursing Homes for the A-bomb
Q1 nursing home? Q1-2 Survivors

A: When the atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945, I was at my house. I was
seriously injured but both my mother and my sister died that day. Later on, after my
other sister married, my father and I lived together for many years. However, he
There are three types of nursing homes for the A-bomb survivors.
- General Nursing Home
A facility which provides care services for those who cannot receive daily care at
eventually died of lung cancer and it was difficult for me to get used to living by myself. their homes for physical, mental or environmental reasons.
In 1987, when I was 66 years old, I lived in a special nursing home in Hiroshima City. - Special Nursing Home
Then, when I broke my leg and was in a hospital, I was lucky enough to join this special
home that is especially for A-bomb survivors- people who were exposed to the effects of A facility which provides care services for those who require constant nursing
the atomic bomb when it was dropped. It’s been about seven years since I moved here. care, but cannot receive the care at their homes due to significant physical or
How I came to live here begins on that day in 1945. It’s a long story, so why don’t you mental difficulties.
get yourself comfortable and let me tell you what happened. - Short-Stay
A facility which provides short-term care services for those who are cared for by
their families, but who temporarily cannot receive care in their home because their
families are not available because of accidents, sickness, or travel, etc.

These nursing homes are located in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The following is an
explanation of the facilities in Hiroshima. The first nursing home, the “Funairi Mutsumien
Home” was founded in 1970 with a total of 150 residents, where 100 live in a general
nursing home and 50 in a special nursing home. Soon after 1970, the “Kandayama
Yasuragien Home” was established as a special nursing home for 100 residents. Since a
number of people were on the waiting list to enter these facilities, a special nursing home,
“Kurakake Nozomien Home” for 300 residents was built in 1992. In 1983, “Funairi
Mutsumien Home” was renovated to become a general nursing home which could
accommodate 100 residents. Currently, Hiroshima provides the facilities of a general
nursing home for 100 people, special nursing homes for 400, and short-stay for 8.
The Hiroshima A-bomb Survivors Relief Foundation is responsible for the
business operation of these three nursing homes. As of the end of August 2004, more
than 780 people were on the waiting list, hoping to stay in these homes.

Nursing Homes for the A-Bomb Survivors

Established in 1970 Established in 1982 Established in 1992
Funairi Kandayama Kurakake
Mutsumien Home Yasuragien Home Nozomien Home
For 100 people For 100 people For 300 people

Renovated
In 1983

Kurakake Nozomien Home

The Hiroshima A-bomb Survivors Relief Foundation: Based on “The Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Support Law”
national businesses, Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroshima City have established nursing homes
and are responsible for their operations.

10 ● ● 11
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Where were you when the A-bomb

Q2 was dropped? Q2-2 Disaster of the A-bomb

A: I was in my house in Kako-machi, about nine hundred meters away from the
hypocenter, when the bomb went off. At that time, I was in the fifth grade at a girls’
school. On the day of the bombing, I was drafted as a volunteer for the government at an
The city of Hiroshima, as a prefectural capital, used to play a key role as the center of
government, economy, education, culture, and military. The population was approximately
350,000 and there were 76,000 buildings and houses in the city.
arms factory, but I had felt sick and gone home. At 8:00 in the morning the air-raid sirens At 8:15, Monday morning, August 6th,1945, when the students were attending
went off and soon after that the bomb was dropped. morning meetings and the business people were starting their work, an American military
 My house was located near Sumiyoshi Shrine, but it and everything around there B-29 airplane (Enola Gay) came and dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
was completely destroyed. Approximately 140,000 people died in the bombing. Almost everything within a 2,000
meter-radius of the hypocenter was completely burned down, with about 50,000
10 days before the A-bombing 4 days after the A-bombing buildings and houses totally collapsed and burned.
The burned area reached approximately 13,250,000 square meters (a thousand times
as large as a baseball stadium). Many important public facilities and services were
seriously damaged, such as the Hiroshima Prefectural Government Office, City Hall,
Hiroshima Station, telegram and post offices, schools, trains, gas and water supply
stations.

(provided by the U.S. Armed Forces) (provided by the U.S. Armed Forces)

This photo was taken by U.S. Forces 10 days This photo was taken 4 days after the A-bombing.
before the A-bombing.
Honkawa-cho The right side of the Not a house can be seen. (See Q11-2, Q26-2 for
Sumiyoshi Bridge clearly shows
大手町
my home. The pictures drawn by survivors.)
home was located four doors from the main street.
Dobashi-cho
Cenotaph Dedicated to the Victims
         of the A-Bomb● ●Hiroshima National Peace Memorial
 Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
Hiroshima International
   Conference Hall●Hiroshima Peace
Nish Memorial Park
i He
iwa Oh ●Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
ashi Bri  (East Bldg.)
Kawahara-cho dge
Heiw NHK
aO  ●
ha shi Pea ●Shirakami Shrine
ge ce B
Brid
oule
Nak Koseinenkin Hall
vard
ajim
aS Ote-machi (3)
hinz    ●
aki
Brid
ge ●Chugoku Electric
 Power Co.
Aster Plaza
   ●
Ko-machi
Kakomachi
●Central Post Office
Honkawa River
(Ota River) Motoyasu ●Naka Ward Office
River
Shin Sumiyoshi Bridg Ote-machi (4) Naka Ward
e Shin Meiji
Bridge
●Hiroshima City Hall
Route 2
Sumiyoshi-cho Kokutaiji-cho (1)
Sum
iyos ●
hi B
ridg
e ge
Brid
Meiji Kokutaiji-cho (2) B29 airplane (Enola Gay): The nickname for the American B29 bomber that dropped the A-bomb in 1945. The
plane is currently on exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F.
This map shows the current location of my home. (Marked by the red arrow.)
Ote-machi (5)
Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C.
Senda-machi

12 ● ● 13
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What was your family doing when Disintegration of Families due to

Q3 the bomb went off? Q3-2 the A-bombing

A: At the time of the bombing, there were five in my family: my father, mother, two
younger sisters and myself. My father was running a sewing machine factory,
where machine parts were delivered to the Clothing Department which manufactured
The degree of family disintegration (a situation where a family lacks unity because
someone in the family dies or lives away from home) was so significant that the true
figure has not yet been clarified. However, the results of collaborative research, “The
military uniforms during wartime. He was bombed at his factory, two and a half Campaign to Reconstruct Pre-Bombing Map of the Hypocenter Area,”1) which was
kilometers from the hypocenter, but didn’t get seriously injured. My mother wasn’t so conducted by the Hiroshima University Research Institute for Radiation Biology
fortunate. She was attending building demolition operations near the hypocenter and Medicine, the Hiroshima Central Station of NHK (Japan Broadcasting
when the bomb was dropped. My father looked everywhere for her, but he couldn’t find Corporation), and Hiroshima City, will be informative for this issue.
her, not even her dead body.        In the table below, the horizontal frames show the distance from the hypocenter
    I was at home when my house collapsed. Fortunately, I survived thanks to the and the vertical frames show, in order from the top, the average number of family
window frames knocking me over and propping up the wall, but my entire body was members according to each family register, the average number of family members at
pitted with the shattered glass. Even ten years after that, some pieces of glass were the time of the bombing, the average number of deaths within each family, and the
still working themselves out of my body. I also took some extraction operations. percentage of deaths within each family. Some people lived near the center of the
      My immediate younger sister was exposed to the bombing while she was working explosion, but happened to be away from home and were exposed to the effects in
in a student mobilization project at a military factory, just under three kilometers from other towns. Some escaped the bomb by being far away from their homes. Of those
the hypocenter. She luckily escaped serious injury. My youngest sister, a second who lived within 500 meters of the hypocenter 64% lost family members.
grader at another girls’ school, was also mobilized to work and was in Nakajima-cho,        The farther the residences are located from the hypocenter, the smaller the number
close to the hypocenter when it exploded. She was never found– not even a trace. of deaths within each family becomes.
      The atomic bomb was used for the first time on August 6, 1945 in Hiroshima, but        In the case of the elderly woman on the left page, she was exposed to the effects
even now, if you were to visit the graveyards of Hiroshima on August Sixth and see of the bombing at her home, 900 meters away from the hypocenter. She lost 2 family
them crowded with friends, relatives and descendants honoring the dead in the members out of 5. Many similar cases are considered to have been seen at that time.
Buddhist way, you still could not imagine the grief and horrors of that single atomic
bomb. Death Rates within Families
Within 500m 500-1,000m 1,000-1,500m 1,500-2,000m 2,000-3,000m
（Hypocenter） （bumed area） （bumed area） （bumed area）（partially-bumed）
My family at the time of the bombing Average number
of registered 4.88 4.85 4.78 4.83 4.69
family members
Average number
Mother of family members 3.54 3.51 3.65 3.89 3.74
48 years old at the bombing
Within 500m Average number
participating in building of deaths within 2.28 1.82 0.86 0.72 0.42
Father demolition operations families
55 years old Not found
Percentage of deaths 64.4% 51.9% 23.6% 18.5% 11.2%
2.5km within families
sewing machine factory
（％）
70
Sister
13 years old 60
Within 500m
8th year student at girls' school 50
Myself Sister Student mobilization
17 years old Not found 40
15 years old
900m 2.8km 30
11th year student at girls' school 10th year student at girls' school
Student mobilization 20
Percentage 10
of deaths
my family at the time of the bombing within families 0
Within 500m 500-1,000m 1,000-1,500m 1,500-2,000m 2,000-3,000m
of Hypocenter
Building demolition operations: Destroying buildings for fire control and widening streets for evacuations.
Student mobilization: Everyone, even students, had to work in the war effort doing everything from heavy labor Hiroshima University Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine: Established in April 1961 for the
to code breaking. “study and application of treatment and prevention of injury caused by A-bomb radiation”

14 ● Percentage of deaths within families ● 15

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Q4 How does the A-bomb differ from regular bombs? Q4-2 A-Bomb Energy

A: Well, there were huge air raids in Tokyo. Especially on March 10, 1945,
thousands of bombs were dropped and about 100,000 people lost their lives.
Whole areas of the city were burned to the ground.
Uranium 235 was used in the A-bomb dropped on Hiroshima, which was equivalent to
15 thousand tons of TNT. Different from other types of bombs, the bomb is characterized
by a burst of fierce heat rays and radiation in addition to the initial blast. Of the energy
      We had air raids all over Japan, such as in Yokohama and Nagoya, but the emitted by the explosion, it is said that approximately 50% was in the form of the blast,
Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bombs were different from the bombs dropped on other 35% was heat rays, and 15% was radiation. (See the pie chart below)
cities. In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, just a single nuclear bomb was dropped. These 1. Blast
bombs contained the destructive power of thousands of regular bombs, but were An immense shock wave traveled from the blast. At the hypocenter the blast
concentrated in one huge explosion. reached a speed of 440 meters per second. (The location on the ground directly
      Hiroshima’s bomb also significantly differs from the bombs used in air raids on beneath the point where the bomb exploded is called the hypocenter. The point
Tokyo or other cities because it was an atomic bomb. Genetic damage due to radiation of explosion in the air, 580 meters above the city, is called the epicenter.) In the
still remains even sixty years after the bomb was dropped. area of 3 kilometers away from the hypocenter, the speed was estimated to be
      Atomic bombs and regular bombs are completely different. approximately 30 meters per second.
2. Heat Rays
In the case of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, the temperature in the epicenter
is estimated to have reached several million degrees centigrade. One second
after detonation, a fireball with a radius of 200 meters was generated whose
surface temperature reached 7,000 to 8,000 degrees. People exposed on the
street within 1.2 kilometers from the hypocenter sustained fatal burns. Even at
3.5 kilometers away, people suffered burns on exposed skin, which later caused
the development of keloids (See Q20).
3. Radiation
The uranium bomb dropped on Hiroshima released massive amounts of
radiation, which can be identified as two types. One is the initial radiation
The photo shows Tokyo at the time of (approximately 5% of the total energy) emitted in the air within a minute of the
the air raids. explosion, and the other is the residual radiation (approximately 10% of the total
( provided by the U.S. Armed Forces.) energy) emitted later on the ground for a limited time.

A-Bomb Energy 1) The base component of initial

radiation includes gamma rays
(approximately 90%) and neutron rays
(about 10%). (See Q5-2)
Heat Rays 2) The residual radiation is further
divided into two additional categories.
One is primarily non-fissionable
Uranium 235 (fallout) and was called
Initial Radiation1) the "ashes of death." It flew in all
Blast directions and damaged people who
Residual Radiation 2) survived the initial explosion. The other
"Ashes of Death" (fallout) is "induced radiation" in which neutron
The enlarged photo of the upper "Induced Radiation" rays interacted with the nuclei of soil
photo, showing burned out urban area
or building materials and induced
similar to Hiroshima.
( provided by the U.S. Armed Forces.) radiation.

Uranium: A metal element used for nuclear fuel via a chained fission reaction in nuclear energy production.
Uranium ore is found in pitchblende and carnotite.
Genetic (Genes): Factors in chromosomes that influence physical features and behavior. The genes are Keloids: Scars from burns or cuts that become swollen after recovery. They have a copperish and shiny color,
transmitted from parents to children. 1) The base component of initial stabbing
rubbery hardness, radiationpain
includes gamma(See
or itchiness. raysQ20
(approximately
for details.) 90%) and neutron
rays (about 10 %). (See Q5-2)
16 ● 2) The residual radiation is further divided into two additional categories. One is primarily ● 17
non-fissionable Uranium 235 (fallout) and was called the ﾒashes of death.ﾓ It flew in all directions and
damaged people who survived the initial explosion. The other is ﾒinduced radiationﾓ in which neutron
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Q5 What is radioactivity? Q5-2 Types and Properties of Radiation

A: Let’s use fire from a piece of coal as an example. Suppose the coal is burning
red and a person is warming his or her hands over the fire. This person gradually
feels warm because of the heat rays produced by the coal. These heat rays are
Energy flow exists in the air as electric and acoustic waves. Radiation is a kind of
energy flow that travels through space.
      The substance of radiation is an atom-nucleus (elementary particle), such as
equivalent to “radiation,” a flow of very tiny particles. The coal itself is burning with a photons, electrons, protons and neutrons. Electric waves and microwaves (as in
flame, and this coal corresponds to radioactive materials. The burning coal has the microwave ovens) are photons that, in a broad sense, can be categorized into the same
property to produce heat rays (radiation), and this property is called “radioactivity.” radiation group. Radiation (ionizing radiation) can ionize air or water when it strikes them.
      Below are the types of radiation and examples of their daily use. (See Q33-2)
The unit of the amount of radioactivity is expressed in becquerel
(Bq), the amount of radiation in Gray (Gy), and radiation dosage
which affects a person's body in Sievert (Sv). In some cases,
however, irrespective of radiation types, radiation dosage on a Type of Radiation and Examples of Use
person's skin surface is expressed in Gray.
Radiation Type Properties Examples of Use

Alpha ray Heavy particle which carries a positive charge.

Blocked below 1 mm within human bodies. Smoke detectors
Radiation dosage per (α ray) Blocked by a piece of paper in the air.
particular organ or the
sum of all radiation
dosages in a person Beta ray Light particle (electron) which carries a negative
charge.Blocked by several meters in the air Luminous paint dial
(Unit: Sievert, Sv) (β ray)
and several millimeters within human bodies.
Gamma ray Electromagnetic wave (similar to lights or Cancer treatment,
(γray) electric wave in properties.) The power is Sterilization
weakened by lead plate or concrete.
No electrical particle with a quarter weight Non-destructive
Neutron ray of alpha rays. inspection of
Attenuated by concrete or water. shipyard
Coal Heat Rays
(radioactive material) (radiation)
(Unit: Gray, Gy) protons paper
(Unit: Becquerel, Bq)

αray
(Alpha)
aluminum
neutrons

βray
(Beta) lead
electrons concrete
The property of releasing radiation is called “radioactivity.”

The unit of the amount of radioactivity is expressed in Becquerel (Bq),

γray
(Gamma) electromagnetic waves
the amount of radiation in Gray (Gy), and radiation dosage which affects
a person’s body in Sievert (Sv). In some cases, however, irrespective of
radiation types, radiation dosage on a person’s skin surface is Neutron ray
expressed in Gray. neutrons
water

Radioactive materials: Materials which spontaneously release radiation, particularly when the nuclide is not
identified or the materials are the mixture of a number of radioactive nuclides.

18 ● ● 19
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Who was the first to discover

Q6 radiation? Q6-2 History of Radiation Damage 2)

A: When you receive regular check-ups at school, your teacher may say, “You’ll
have a roentgen exam (often called an X-ray.) X-rays were first discovered by a
person named Roentgen.
Soon after the discovery of X-rays, it was repeatedly revealed that X-rays cause
considerable damage in human bodies. A report in 1898 said that X-rays caused red
and swollen skin. A report in 1900 said they generated skin cancer. While another
It was in the evening on November 8, 1895 at the University of Wurzburg in report in 1911 said they caused leukemia.
Germany. A physics professor named Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen was studying vacuum The figure below illustrates the history of major radiation damage since the discovery
discharges in glass tubes which had high levels of vacuity, and he noticed that the of X-rays. The upper portion of the graph shows dates, radiation types and purpose of its
photographic plate, which happened to be placed two meters away, was glowing with use, and below each date the graph indicates damages caused by the radiation.
light. X-Rays used in abortion, as an alternative to surgery, were not successfully utilized
The emission of this light stopped when he turned off the electricity, so Dr. Roentgen in treatment. Instead, they affected fetuses and caused various birth abnormalities as
thought something invisible must have been transferred that made the photographic seen in children with microcephaly. In the 1920’s, it became obvious that many workers
plate radiate light. He named this invisible thing an “X-ray” in the sense that he didn’t who used luminous paint at clock face factories, which used radium materials, had
know what it was. suffered osteosarcoma. Among the 253 workers involved, 54 (equivalent to 22% of the
In December the same year, when Dr. Roentgen presented this discovery at an total workers) died of bone malignancy by 1966. In the 1930’s the radioactive element
academic conference, everyone was thorium was being used as an angiographic drug for sick and wounded soldiers in
surprised and proposed that this new World War II. This treatment spread to Germany, Denmark, Portugal, and Japan. Due
type of ray should be named a to the aftereffects, the number of patients with liver cancer and leukemia increased.
“Roentgen Ray” after the finder. But Dr. According to research conducted in Japan up to 1992, of the 264 patients who received
Roentgen was not happy about the angiographic treatment, 69 people (26.7%) died of liver cancer, and 5 (1.9%) died of
name, and he called it an “X-ray” for his leukemia.
e ntire l i fe . In a dd i ti on , so me o ne The radiation damage from the A-bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in
recommended that Dr. Roentgen obtain 1945 will be explained later, but the total number of immediate deaths in both cities
a patent, but he didn’t apply for one and reached a little below 200 thousand. Furthermore, 300 thousand and several tens of
said, “An X-ray is not mine but thousands, respectively, were exposed to radiation, making the explosions the largest
everyone’s.” Thanks to his generosity, scale radiation damage in history.
this X-ray is still being used all over the After 1950, nuclear and hydrogen bomb tests were conducted on the ground, in the
world. However, the use of X-rays also air, or underground, such as on Rongelap Island or in Semipalatinsk, which caused a
caused many people to be sick since the critical problem for the residents exposed to radiation. In addition, radiological accidents
horrifying properties of an X-ray were not occurred, including the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl and approximately 1,600
known. (See right page.) accidents induced by radioactive materials for medical use.
In 1901, Dr. Roentgen received the
first Nobel Prize in Physics for his great
100-Year History of Radiation Injuries
discovery.
X ray figure of spine Discovery of the X-ray
Miscarriage (X-rays)
Luminous paint (radium)
Vacuum discharges: Electrical discharges which occur under low pressure between two electrodes in a vacuum. Angiographic (thorotrast)
1920
Nobel Prize in Physics: A prize awarded by the Nobel Foundation, whose founder was Alfred Nobel, a Swedish Atomic Bomb (uranium, plutonium)
chemist who invented dynamite and cherished the desire for world peace and scientific progress. Hydrogen Bomb (plutonium, americium)
The prizes are presented in six categories: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, 1940 Ural Nuclear Explosion (strontium)
peace, and economics. Leukemia
Congenital anomaly
Radium materials: A metallic element discovered by Marie and Pierre Curie. It was the first known radioactive element. 1960
Osteosarcoma Nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl
Osteosarcoma: A type of bone malignancy that mainly develops in shoulders or knee joints. It often metastasizes to the Liver cancer
lungs. 1980 Goiania (cesium)
Leukemia,
Angiographic drug: A drug used with X-rays, and is injected into blood vessels. The drug is used to diagnose Thyroid cancer,
blood vessel disorders or malignancy. Breast cancer,
etc 2000
Nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl: On April 26, 1986, Chernobyl Nuclear Plant reactor No.4 exploded in the Thyroid cancer
Republic of Ukraine, near Kiev City, in the former Soviet Union. Due to this accident, radioactive (urinary organ cancer)
materials were dispersed over 82,000 square kilometers of land including neighboring Belarus and Congenital anomaly
Thyroid cancer
Russia.
20 ● ● 21
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What's the difference between Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombs'

Q7 Hiroshima’s bomb and Nagasaki’s? Q7-2 Differences

A: First, the dates of the A-bombing are different. Hiroshima was bombed on August
6th and Nagasaki on August 9th.
The plane was an American B-29 and the crew originally planned to drop the bomb
Uranium was used in the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in contrast to Nagasaki’s
plutonium bomb. However, there was no major difference in the energy released between
Hiroshima’s 15 thousand tons and Nagasaki’s 21 thousand tons. With regard to the
on Kokura in Northern Kyushu, but they were unable to identify the location due to thick components, Hiroshima’s bomb released a larger amount of neutron rays.
clouds, and dropped it on Nagasaki City instead. Also, Uranium 235 was used in The distribution of induced radiation indicates some areas in Nagasaki where
Hiroshima’s bomb whereas Plutonium 239 was used in Nagasaki’s. radiation accumulated (Nishiyama area) due to geographic conditions.
The radiation released at the time of explosion in Nagasaki was mainly gamma  As for radiation damage to the human body, major gaps have not been identified
rays, but some neutron rays also were between Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In Hiroshima, however, there are more people with
emitted in Hiroshima’s. The point of Comparison chromosomal abnormalities, who seemingly look healthy, than in Nagasaki. (See Q21-2.)
of the A-bombs' Characteristics
explosion in the air (epicenter) was Both cities have similar incidences of leukemia, but the types of leukemia suggest
calculated at 580 meters above the Hiroshima Nagasaki Hiroshima has a higher incidence of chronic myeloid leukemia than Nagasaki, with the
ground in Hiroshima, and 500 meters in Dates of
Explosion August 6, 1945 August 9, 1945 acute-chronic ratio of 1 to 1. (See Q14 and Q15.) Although this phenomenon has not
Nagasaki. According to the report, the Type of yet been clarified, Hiroshima’s bomb released approximately 10-percent neutron rays
Uranium 235U Plutonium 239Pu
power of the explosion was equal to fifteen Nucleus together with gamma rays, which may have caused the difference.
Point of
thousand tons of TNT in Hiroshima, and Explosion 580±15m 503±10m
twenty one thousand tons in Nagasaki. Explosive Mitsubishi Arms Factory
Power 15±3kt 21±2kt Saigo Dormitory
Junshingakuin School
Mitsubishi Arms Factory
Ohashi Plant Urakami First Hospital
Saibu Gas Ohashi Factory
Prefectural Nagasaki Technical School

Municipal Nagasaki Commercial School Yamazato National Primary School

Josei Women's Practical High School

Urakami Catholic Church
Shiroyama National Primary School Nagasaki Medical College
Hypocenter
2,000m 1,500m 1,000m 500m Mt. Kompira
Chinzeigakuin School
Nagasaki Medical College Hospital
Mitsubishi Young Men's Technical School
The Little Boy bomb
Prefectural Keiho Middle School
(Hiroshima Bomb) Urakami Station
(Weight: approx. 4 tons, Fuchi National Primary School
Diameter: 70cm, Length: 3m) Municipal Nagasaki Hospital
Mitsubishi Arms Factory
Morimachi Plant
Materials declassified by the
U.S. government on December Mt. Inasa
Zenza National Primary School
Nishizaka
6, 1960. Mitsubishi Shipyard Inasa Lumbermill National Primary School
Inasa National Primary School Fukuoka Prisoners' Camp(No.14 Branch)

3,000m
Nagasaki Station Katsuyama
Asahi National Primary School National Primary School

Nagasaki City Hall

Mitsubishi Electric Nagasaki Factory Shinkozen
National Primary School
Meganebashi Bridge
completely destroyed &
burned down Nagasaki Prefectural Office
Dejima
burned down
Nagasaki Harbor
completely destroyed
The Fat Man bomb Mitsubishi Nagasaki Shipyard
(Nagasaki Bomb) The map shows the
(Weight: approx. 4.5 tons, effects of the disaster half destroyed

Diameter: 150cm, Length: 3.2m) caused by the A-bomb Ohura Catholic Church
Materials declassified by the dropped on Nagasaki.
U.S. government on December Reprinted from “Medical Effects of the A-bomb in Nagasaki” by the Scientific Data Center for the Atomic Bomb Disaster,
6, 1960. School of Medicine, Nagasaki University.3)
22 ● ● 23
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How many children lost their Facilities for the A-bombed

Q8 parents in the A-bombing? Q8-2 Orphans

A: Children who lost their families during the war became orphans, called “war
orphans.” Among them, those who became orphans due to the A-bomb are called
“A-bomb orphans.” The A-bomb orphans included children who lost their parents in the
Hiroshima City provided a “Lost Children’s Shelter” at the Hijiyama National Elementary
School for children who lost their families and were left alone because of the
A-bombing. The number of orphans being housed was more than 150.
A-bombing, but unfortunately had no relatives to take them in. The orphans also include The ”Hiroshima War Orphan Support Center” was established through efforts by
those who escaped death by having left Hiroshima in a group or with relatives, but lost teachers and Buddhists “Shinsei Gakuen” and by the “Hiroshima Prefecture Sibling
their parents who had stayed in the city. Other children became street children because, Support Foundation,” both of which opened by the end of 1945. Then, 6 shelters were
even though a parent was alive, the parent couldn’t make a living due to injuries. These built as the following table shows, but the occupancy load limit was approximately 600,
poor children were also considered A-bomb orphans. The number of A-bomb orphans only 10% of the total need.4) The remaining orphans found shelter from the rain and
has not been precisely calculated, but is said to have been between 4,000 and 5,000. wind at their relatives or by doing live-in jobs at employers’ houses.
Let me tell you about my friend’s case. She had nine members in her family. Among The photo at the lower left depicts 5 children from the Hiroshima War Orphan
them, her parents and four brothers and sisters died in the A-bombing. My friend and her Support Center on route to the ceremony to become Buddhist monks at Nishi Honganji
oldest brother survived because of a school evacuation that day. ("School evacuations" Temple in Kyoto. Eight years later, a grown up and respected priest, reads a sutra aloud
were when classrooms of students were relocated as a group to live in the countryside in front of his juniors from the orphanage as seen in the lower right photo.
where it was safer.) Her younger brother also survived as he was in the basement of a
building. However, being just three children, they could not make a living and eventually
became orphans. The oldest brother found a live-in job at a neighbor’s house, whereas Orphanage (Hiroshima)
as of June 1953
my friend and her younger brother were taken in by relatives. However, her brother could
Names of orphanage Opening Occupancy load limit
not adjust to the life at the relative’s and entered an orphanage on Ninoshima Island.
There are many similar stories like this. The following picture shows the situation of Shinsei Gakuen Oct. 1945 70
my friend’s family after the bomb. The people in the pictures bordered with black died. It is Hiroshima War Orphan Support Center Dec. 1945 80
hard to imagine how one bomb could cause so much suffering. Hiroshima Prefecture War Orphan Support Center
Ninoshima Gakuen Sept. 1946 180

Hikarino-Sono, House of Setsuri Aug. 1947 80

Hiroshima Monastery Apr. 1948 92

Roppo Gakuen Jan. 1949 96

Father Mother
Oldest sister 45 years old, 45 years old, Youngest brother
600m from the hypocenter, 600m from the hypocenter, 3 years old,
22 years old,
while working, died on September 10th died on August 6th 600m from the hypocenter,
not found died on August 6th

At the time of the bombing

Second Third oldest brother

oldest sister 5 years old,
19 years old, 600m from the hypocenter,
died on September 6th died on August 6th

Oldest brother Second oldest brother

15-year-old student, 8-year-old student
school evacuation 500m from the hypocenter,
Youngest sister in the building's basement
12-year-old student,
school evacuation
(my friend)

Street children: Children who did not have regular homes

24 ● ● 25
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Was everyone A-bombed in this

Q9 facility? Q9-2 A-bombed Lonely-Elderly

A: Yes. Only those who were exposed to the A-bomb live here. The A-bomb
survivors are categorized in four groups:
(1) Direct A-bomb Survivors: those who were in Hiroshima City within four kilometers
There are some unfamiliar phrases used regarding the A-bombs of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. “A-bombed lonely elderly” is one of them, which can be categorized into
two types.
from the hypocenter. (Group One) One is the “complete lonely-elderly” and the other is the “semi-lonely elderly.” The
(2) Those who entered the city after the A-bombing to look for relatives or friends and phrase “complete lonely-elderly” refers to old people who lost their spouse and children
were within two kilometers from the hypocenter by August 20th. (Group Two) with no relatives. Some of them are bomb survivors and some escaped the bomb due
(3) Those who were exposed to radiation when disposing of the dead or taking part in to evacuation. The “semi-lonely elderly” phrase indicates the old who lost family
rescue activities. (Group Three) members, except for their grandfather or grandmother and small children and had
(4) Children whose mothers were in the above-mentioned groups that were pregnant difficulty living properly. This type of the elderly also includes those who were forced to
and were delivered by May 31, 1946. live alone away from their families after the bombing because of family matters.
According to the Elderly Household Survey as of November 1st, 1985, the bombed
Three hundred A-bomb survivors live in this facility now. The number of Direct A-bomb lonely elderly amounted to 11.6% in Hiroshima City (households without being bombed
Survivors is 179, the Second is 97, and the Third is 24. showed 3.7%), and 8.2% in Nagasaki City (households without being bombed, 4.7%.)
The map below shows the places where 64 people out of the 179 were A-bombed Approximately 8% of the 65-year-olds and older were bombed lonely-elderly. In the
within two kilometers of the hypocenter. You can see how close some of the people 1995 A-bomb Survivors Survey, 19.6 % turned out to live alone, which amounted to
were to the hypocenter at the time of the bombing. about 20% of the total. This survey also shows 37% live with one family member, but
most of them are old couples and few live with their children. (See the figure below.)
Recently, the number of semi-lonely elderly seems to be increasing.
Sickly lonely-elderly or old couples tend to feel anxiety. There was a period in the
past when a number of the old committed suicide. A survey conducted by the Japan
Confederation of A- and H- bomb Sufferers Organization in June 1975 showed that
31 elderly allegedly committed suicide which were reported nationwide for the five
years from January 1st, 1970 to the end of April, 1975. Among them, Hiroshima had 25
suicide victims, 8 of which were lonely-elderly. The major motive for their suicide is said
to be the burden of disease.
The Hibakusha aging issue, including the lonely elderly, needs to be supported not
only by government economic assistance, but also by mental health support that
includes medical and nursing consultation operations and residents’ efforts to talk with
or listen to the elderly.

Percentages of Household Sizes

over 6 people
unknown
One person 2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 3.7%
Surveyed
in 1985 11.6% 27.9% 18.7% 17.4% 10.2% 10.5%

0.4%
Surveyed
in 1995 19.6% 37.2% 17.6% 10.4% 6.3% 8.3%

From the Atomic Bomb Survivors Field Survey Report 1995 (Survey of Survivors)

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organization: Promoting abolition of nuclear weapons,
supporting survivors and providing counseling (also known as Hidankyo). The only nation-wide
Locations within two kilometers of the hypocenter where 64 residents of this facility were living. organization for survivors.

26 ● ● 27
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How much radiation were you

Q10 exposed to? Q10-2 Estimation of Radiation Dosage
A: A university professor told me that I had been exposed to an estimated 1,300
millisievert (mSv) of radiation, including both gamma and neutron rays. (See
data on page 100.) A researcher once wanted to know where and what kind of
1. Method of Physical Dose Estimation
The method for physical dose estimation, called the “Dosimetry System (DS86)”,5) was
established in 1986. The DS86 is entirely based on calculations, whereas the previously-
building I was in when I was exposed because my house had been photographed used “T65D” method is based on particular experimental data from Nevada, in the U.S.
from the air by the American army (See picture in Q2), and the exact distance from This DS86 ensures accuracy by reflecting the following elements in the calculation
the hypocenter could be calculated. The radiation dosage of 1,300 mSv is about the formula: first the bomb power, (the Hiroshima bomb was 15 thousand tons), the amount,
same amount as when you have an X-ray on your stomach for 130 times in a row (on energy, and angle of radiation released, mechanism of propagation, shielding by
a skin dose basis.) buildings, and the degree the radiation reached each human organ. However, the report
After the A-bombing, I felt nauseous and had diarrhea. I suffered hair loss about also states that this calculation formula bears an “uncertainty” of approximately 25%.
two weeks after the bomb and stayed in bed for about three months. This condition is
called “acute radiation symptom.” (See Q13 and 13-2.) 2. Method of Biological Dose Estimation
The picture at the lower right shows a chromosome (see Q21 and Q21-2) and the
arrows point to the damaged parts. The graph at the lower left shows the distance When radiation passes through cells, it damages the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
from the hypocenter and the radiation dosage (DS86) at that point. You can see that When cells need to be increased in accordance with body needs, the DNA of the
the farther you were from the hypocenter, the less radiation you were exposed to. nucleus will be doubled and become filamentous chromosomes to be divided into two
cells. (In other words, one cell becomes two by cell division. See Q21.) In this process
where chromosomes are formed, damaged chromosomes can be identified.
These chromosome aberrations increase with the radiation dose reaching the
cells, which means the less the exposure, the less the damage. Thus, the radiation
dose can be estimated by measuring the number of chromosome aberrations, which
counts the number of “dicentric” chromosomes immediately after the exposure to
radiation and the number of “stable-type” chromosome aberrations per 200 cells, 30
to 50 years after the exposure.
The photo at the lower left shows chromosomes immediately after exposure to
radiation, in which a lot of abnormality can be verified. The figure at the lower right is
Radiation Dosage(DS86) Chromosome Abnormality
a diagram of the rate of chromosome aberrations and radiation dose 30 to 50 years
after the A-bomb exposure.
10,000 Chromosome Abnormality in Acute Phase Rate of chromosome aberrations
Hiroshima and radiation dose
1,000
(%) Rate of chromosome aberrations
60 =3.0+9.1 X dose
Neutron and gamma ray exposure

95% Confidence interval

100

Rate of chromosome aberrations

50
10
40

1
30

0.1 20
Gamma Rays
Neutron
0.01 10
The marked chromosomes show abnormalities.
0.001 1 2 3 4 5
500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 Sv
Distance from the hypocenter (m) DS86-GEN

Dicentric: Chromosome with two or more constricted parts. See the chromosome with a star mark in the left figure.

28 ● ● 29
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What was the city like after the Preserving A-bomb Survivors’
Q11 bombing? Q11-2 Memories in Drawings

A: Well, many people wrote books and spoke about their experiences on video, but I
think the experience was beyond description. Read the following text. It describes
the wounded people who were brought to a Naval Hospital. It’s unimaginable…
The Hiroshima Broadcasting Station, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), conducted
a campaign called “The People’s Pictures: Drawings of the A-bomb Aftermath” and
collected 2,225 drawings by A-bomb survivors from 1974 to 1975.6) Twenty-eight years
later, in the summer of 2002, NHK, the Chugoku Shimbun and other organizations
“Meanwhile, I heard the sound of a car’s horn in the darkness, then a military co-hosted another campaign in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to collect “A-bomb drawings.”
transport vehicle and a truck arrived. The wounded were crammed in the In the second campaign, 1,388 and 300 drawings were received from Hiroshima and
transport vehicle, but the truck was worse. On the open-top loading space, as Nagasaki respectively, making the total number 3,863. The project was triggered when
many people as possible had been piled on top of each other. I couldn’t tell if Mr. Iwakichi Kobayashi, a 77-year-old survivor, brought his drawing titled “Around
they were dead or alive. All the people’s hair was burned and crimped. Their Yorozuyo Bridge” to NHK on May 15, 1974. The drawing was striking and had a power
clothing was ragged and their exposed skin was terribly burned and soaked with that appealed to people’s minds. It was telling that there was a spectacle still remaining so
blood. As I shined my flashlight over them, I could see countless pieces of wood vivid in the survivors’ minds after almost 30 years. The campaign staff thought of asking
chips, glass and metal shards stuck into their faces, backs and limbs. I couldn’t survivors to draw the unforgettable scenes they had witnessed as a way to pass their
believe they were human beings. A coal tar-like substance was oozing from memories down to future generations during their lifetime.
every single person’s face and body.” Some of the drawings collected were exhibited in major cities in Japan together with
“A foul odor struck my nose. It was an odor particular to burn injuries that documentary photographs and other articles. It created a sensation and the following
smells like roasted, dried-cuttlefish mixed with the stench of death. I started to words were found in the remarks from the people who saw the exhibition. “Never had I
carry one of the piled up bodies. The first person was terribly burned and it was seen an exhibition like this that displayed such unskilled drawings. These drawings stirred
difficult to tell if it was a male or female with only a flashlight. My hands kept my deepest emotions like none ever before.” 7)
slipping because of blood from the person’s burns and the coal tar-like sticky
liquid. However, I managed to unload the first person. The next person was
swollen up with blisters. It was hard to believe that this was a human being. I
couldn’t tell the person’s age, but it was a man. After I carried him down,
something gave out a cry. There was a dead baby under him. The baby must
have been crushed by the wounded people piled on top of each other while they
were going over the rough mountain path. The baby’s body was cold.” (Masao
Shiotsuki, My First Assignment was Mercy Killing – Testimony of August 9, 1945,
Kobunsha, 1978)

There are books resources for children and young adults that describe what the city
was like after the atomic bomb was dropped . There are even movies and animation on
August 6 ( by Yozo Tanaka) August 7 (by Hiroko Yamamoto)
videotape. (refer to p104.) (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum) (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum)

August 7 (by Ichiro Yamada) August 7 "Bodies of A-bomb Victims with Bulging
Around Temma-cho on August.7 (by Fumie Ishikawa) Nakajima hon-machi on August.8 (by Sagami Ogawa) (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum) Bellies: Floating and Drifting" (by Kenjiro Mukai)
(Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum) (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum) (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum)
30 ● ● 31
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How was your health after the

Q12 A-bomb was dropped? Q12-2 Acute Physical Disorders
A: I was somehow alive– thanks to the window frame that prevented my house from
crushing me– but I was soaked with blood and learned later that pieces of glass
had lodged themselves all over my body. My father came to rescue me and took me to a
Physical disorders caused by the effects of the A-bomb can be divided into acute
disorders (Acute Radiation Symptoms), which developed within 4 months from the
exposure to the radiation, and late disorders (late effect), which appeared after that. Acute
relative’s who lived in a town called Itsukaichi. A doctor there who lived nearby came to disorders are furthermore divided into 3 phases.
see me and took out all the bits of glass that he was able to, but I still felt tingling pains.
After a couple of years, a piece of glass worked its way out from my skin all by itself. The Phase 1: Two weeks, beginning immediately after exposure to the end of the 2nd week
last one to come out was about ten years after the bombing. Still some remain inside my Death resulting from shock or from burn injuries and by acute radiation exposure.
body. Symptoms: thirst, weakness, nausea, fever, diarrhea, vomiting blood, blood
 My aunt would go to the mountain to collect an herb called dokudami and brewed it discharging, blood in the urine (death in about 10 days.) (Dr. Takashi
for me. She always said, “Dokudami is good for your health. Drink as much as you can.” Nagai notes that mental derangement symptoms such as stupor,
About two weeks after being exposed to radiation, my hair started to fall out. I excessive irritability and, amnesia were also seen.) 8)
remember when I woke up in the morning I would always see lots of hair on my pillow. I
was mostly in bed for about two years. Phase 2: Six weeks, from the begining of the 3rd week to the end of the 8th week
(2nd month)
Death by malfunction of bone marrow which generates blood, by ulcerative
bleeding from intestines and by bacterial infection
Symptoms: In addition to the symptoms of phase 1, loss of hair, bleeding from
gums, genitourinary bleeding, hemorrhage beneath the skin, stomatitis,
sore throat, decreases of the red and white blood cells and platelets,
pneumonia and severe enteritis.

Phase 3: Eight weeks, from the beginning of the 3rd month to the end of the 4th
month (December)
Symptoms: Sufferers from symptoms seen in phase 1 and 2 start to recover in
this phase. Decrease in sperm count and menstrual disorders are still
observed. Development of keloid skin lesions begins.

Hair loss (material provided by US Forces) Symptoms and Death Rate

(%)
40
Dead
30
Hair loss Hemorrhage beneath the skin

Swelling of mouth and throat

The figure shows the death 20

rate and appearance ratio

of each symptom seen 10
during the acute phase.
The death rate peaked 0
70
from the 4th to the 7th 10 20 30 40 50 60
Number of days after bombing
week after the exposure.37)

X-ray pictures of a survivor’s right arm taken 55 years after the bombing

32 ● ● 33
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Why did you became sick after two Radiation Dose and Acute
Q13 weeks? Q13-2 Radiation Symptom

A: Many people who appeared healthy and were able to care for the injured became
sick about ten days after the bomb was dropped. Those people were free from
immediate injury but had been exposed to radiation. Their bone marrow cells (where
Each element of the energy from the bomb, the explosion, heat rays and radiation,
affected the survivors’ health. Their symptoms seem to have appeared in diverse ways
as the interrelation of those elements varied.
blood is made in the bone) were damaged by the radiation and unable to produce blood However, from the effects caused by radiation exposure itself, such as nuclear
anymore. reactor accidents or mishandling of radioactive sources, it is possible to estimate the
The number of white blood cells and platelets (figures at upper left and upper right) exposure dose by carefully observing physical symptoms, because the physical
made before being exposed to radiation gradually begins to decrease and in about two symptoms that appear are well related to the exposure dose. In particular, the rate of
weeks, the human body will not be able to function normally. At that time, the bone decrease in the lymphocytes is a useful reference.
marrow is unable to produce blood (figure to lower right).

platelets

white blood cells

red blood cells

Red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets from Illustration of the left photo
a healthy person
A soldier with hair loss one month after
A-bomb exposure (provided by US Forces)

Radiation Dose and Appearance of Symptoms/Abnormality

Radiation Dose (mSV) 0-500 500-1,000 1,000-2,000 2,000-6,000 6,000-10,000 10,000-20,000
Systemic symptoms

Physical symptoms Diarrhea

— — Fatigue Hair loss Bleeding
appearing later Fever

Normal bone marrow Bone marrow exposed to radiation (provided by US Appearance of nausea
— — 3hrs 2hrs 1hrs 30min
Forces) and vomiting

Blood abnormality
White blood cells: There are mainly five types of cells in the blood, including cells that kill germs and cells related
to the immune system or allergies. Normally, there are from 4,000 to 8,000 cells in 1 cubic Slight 50% Drastic 500/μl
millimeter. Lymphocyte — 0
decrease Decrease decrease or less
Platelets: Blood cells that work to stop bleeding. Unlike white blood cells, platelets and red blood cells do not have
a nucleus. Normally, there are from 150 to 200 thousand plateles in 1 cubic millimeter.

34 ● ● 35
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Erection of the “Children’s Peace

Q14 What is leukemia? Q14-2 Monument”

A: Leukemia is cancer of the blood. It’s a health disorder in which the number of
malignant and irregular white blood cells increases. While the number of abnormal
white blood cells increases, the amount of red blood cells and platelets decreases and
Sadako Sasaki was exposed to the radiation at her house, 1.6 km from the hypocenter,
when she was 2 years old. She fell sick in the autumn of 1954 and was admitted to the
Red Cross Hospital of Japan on February 21, 1955.
the sufferers tend to have anemia and bleed from their gums. Leukemia can be At that time, her white blood cell count (WBC) had risen to 37,400, which was five
described as acute or chronic, and by cell type whether it is lymphatic or myeloid. Until times higher than the average, and unusually shaped leukemia cells were found in
about twenty years ago, when bone marrow transplant technology and effective large numbers. Two months later, her WBC count came down to normal at 4,400 with
medicines were developed, almost all the sufferers of any type of leukemia died. the help of medicine, but the medicines became ineffective in July, so she started to
Sadako Sasaki’s classmates and children from all over the nation raised money to receive repeated blood transfusions. However, she passed away on October 25. Four
build the Children’s Peace Monument. It was built to comfort not only the soul of Sadako, days after her death, 39 of her junior high school classmates gathered to discuss
who died of leukemia, but all the children who died because of A-bomb related illnesses. establishing a monument determined to “give meaning to Sadako’s life.” On November
The picture below at the upper left shows acute myeloid leukemia cells and below it 11, they began passing out leaflets at the site of the national meeting of junior high
is a photo of someone who suffers from a swollen spleen (from the center to the left) and school principals to ask for support.
enlarged liver (left)— often seen among sufferers On January 18, 1956, about 100 representatives from elementary schools, junior
of chronic myeloid leukemia. and senior high schools in Hiroshima City attended the first preparatory committee at
The upper right picture is a note written by Noborimachi Junior High School, Sadako’s school, for the establishment of the
Sadako. She was writing down her red and white Children’s Peace Monument. They decided to raise funds for the monument by
blood cell count from the day she was collecting contributions on the streets.
hospitalized. In the picture below it, you can see The monument was unveiled on May 5, Japan’s  Children’s Day, 1958. On the top
the paper cranes that Sadako folded while she of the monument, a statue of a girl is holding up a paper crane. It was designed for
was in hospital. Sadako, who had been folding paper cranes every day, believing that she would get
well if she folded one thousand of them. A bell hanging inside the monument was
donated from Nobel prize physicist, Dr. Hideki Yukawa. On the surface of the bell, the
following words are engraved; “Peace on the Earth and in the Heavens.” The inscription
carved on the stone beneath the bell of the monument reads, “This is our cry, this is our
prayer, for building peace in the world.”
The inscription on the Children’s Peace Monument reads: “With the support of friends
nationwide, we elementary school pupils and junior and senior high school students in
Hiroshima City have worked together to establish this monument to console the souls
The record of the number of white blood
cells and red blood cells that Sadako had of all the children who died from the Atomic bombing and to speak out for world peace.
begun to keep after she was admitted to The Hiroshima Society of School Children for Building World Peace, May 5, 1958”
hospital. (Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Acute myeloid leukemia cells Museum)

liver

spleen

The outline of a swollen spleen (right side of the Paper cranes folded by Sadako while she was in hospital.
photo) and enlarged liver (left)— often seen (provided by Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum)
among sufferers of chronic myeloid leukemia.
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When did leukemia become more

Q15 common? Q15-2 A-bomb Radiation and Leukemia
A: Well, the first case of leukemia related to the atomic bomb was found (diagnosed
at Kyushu University Hospital) in November 1946. The victim was in Nagasaki
when it was bombed. In Hiroshima, It was found in 1947, and after that many people
Characteristics of leukemia among A-bomb survivors are: 9)
(1) The incidence rose in direct proportion to the amount of radiation dosage.
(2) The younger the age at the time of exposure, the greater the risk for
started to develop the illness. The cases of leukemia peaked in 1952, especially among leukemia.
children. I’ve heard that the number of cases slowly began to lessen after that. (3) The incidence peaked during 1952-1953, which was 7-8 years after
As you may know, Sadako developed leukemia in 1954. The development of exposure.
leukemia among adults usually appeared later than in her case and I heard that it (4) The incidence of chronic myeloid leukemia was significantly higher in
tended to continue until about 1988. The total number of leukemia patients had risen to Hiroshima than in Nagasaki.
about 300 by 1985.
The figure below shows the number of acute or chronic leukemia cases who had Being exposed to radiation does not necessarily increase the incidence of
been exposed to the effects of the A-bomb within a 2km radius. The risk of developing leukemia. The effect varies with the type of radioactive ray.
leukemia was ten times higher in 1961 and three and a half times higher on average For example, osteosarcoma is frequently seen among people repeatedly using
compared to people who weren’t exposed. How horrible! luminous paint (cobalt/beta ray), such as in clock face factories. The incidence rate
of liver cancer increased during World War II because a blood vessel contrast
medium (thorotrast/alpha ray), that was used for diagnostic evaluations, was used on
sick and wounded soldiers. In the case of the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl
(radioactive iodine, strontium, cesium) in 1986, no leukemia was seen, but the
incidence of pediatric thyroid cancer rose.

Number of leukemia cases among Hiroshima atomic bomb survivors

by year of onset (exposed within 2km) Type of leukemia and age at the time of
bombing (ATB) and years from exposure
18
Age ATB Acute leukemia
16
15-29 30-44
14 The figure on the right shows the

Risk rate
relationship between the age ATB
No. of cases

12
and the incidence or risk rate of acute
10 acute leukemia (top) or chronic myeloid
0 5 10 15 20 25Years
8 leukemia (bottom), and the years
from the age ATB to the development Age ATB Chronic myeloid leukemia
6 of the diseases. It illustrates that

Risk rate
4 leukemia develops earlier as the age 15-29
chronic ATB gets younger, and that the risk
2 rate for acute leukemia remains high
0 compared to chronic myeloid 0 5 10 15 20 25Years
1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 leukemia. Years after exposure

Luminous paint: Glowing paint. Adding traces of a radioactive substance, such as radium, to a substance of
organic fluorochrome or zinic sulfide mixed with a slight amount of copper makes it glow in the
Acute or chronic leukemia: Details described in Q14. dark. Luminous paint takes advantage of this phenomenon.

38 ● ● 39
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What other cancers were seen Time of Occurrence of Malignant

Q16 besides leukemia? Q16-2 Tumors Vary with Illness

A: About ten years after the bomb was dropped, a doctor noticed how many
survivors were developing cancer and started to investigate. Other doctors in
Hiroshima city joined this investigation, and they found out that the risk of developing
When you have been exposed to radiation, cancer will not appear in all the organs at
the same time.
 Closely studying the incidence of cancer in each organ, it was found that when the
cancer was indeed high among those exposed to the radiation. The cancers, thought human body is exposed to a vast amount of radiation at a single time, such as by an
to be triggered by radiation, are cancers of the thyroid, breast, lung, stomach, colon, A-bomb, the time of the occurrence of cancer differs from organ to organ.
skin, meningioma (a type of brain tumor) and others. People who were exposed to a  Five years after exposure, leukemia is seen particularly among children. Next
higher radiation dosage and those who were exposed at a younger age, were more comes thyroid cancer at about 10 years after exposure, and the incidence rates of
likely to develop cancer when they reached the cancer-prone age. My father also died breast and lung cancer, stomach and colon cancer, skin cancer and meningioma (a
of lung cancer seventeen years ago. type of brain tumor) increase respectively 20, 30 and 40 years after the exposure.
In the upper left is a photo of stomach cancer and the upper right is colon cancer.  This increase in the incidence of specific cancers is not in an accidental order. It
At the lower left is a case of skin cancer and the lower right is a CT scan of happens because human cells have different sensitivities to radiation. In general,
meningioma. Developing cancer is a fear all survivors of the bomb never get over. organs with frequent cell divisions, regeneration and propagation are very sensitive to
radioactive rays. Cancers of the skin or brain tumors appeared decades after exposure
because cell divisions are not frequent in those tissues. With some of the illnesses,
such as leukemia and thyroid cancer, significant increases were not seen after 1990
and 1975, respectively.
 The figure below shows the timing of significant increases of malignant tumors
among A-bomb survivors by illness.

Year of development of malignant tumors

1945
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990

Leukemia

Thyroid cancer
Stomach cancer Colon cancer
Breast cancer

Lung cancer

meningioma Gastric/Colon cancer

of a survivor
exposed close
to hypocenter Skin cancer
Increase observed
at 5% significance level
Increase suspected Meningioma

Skin cancer (Provided by Naoki Sadamori) Meningioma

40 ● ● 41
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Although Not Ill, Health
What other illnesses were seen Irregularities Are Seen Among
Q17 besides cancer? Q17-2 Survivors Exposed to Radiation

A: Well…the following disorders were often seen:

・Microcephaly- Among people who were in their mother’s womb when the bomb was
1  Immune Compromise: Lymphocytes that can be divided into “T” cells and
“B” cells play an important role in immunity.
 a) Compromised function of T lymphocytes: According to research using PHA, a
dropped, some of them turned out to have very small heads. (See Q18 and Q18-2.) reagent used to measure the sensitivity of “T” lymphocytes against foreign objects,
・Cataracts (See Q19 and Q19-2.) the reaction of the lymphocytes in people who were exposed at the age of 15 or
・Hyperparathyroidism later showed a slowdown. A decline in the actual count of suppressor killer T
・Keloid burns and scars (See Q20 and Q20-2.) lymphocytes (CD8+ cells), which directly attack foreign substances, was also seen.
・Stunted growth- The weight and height of people who were under eleven years  b) Abnormal function of “B” lymphocytes: A normal human body is infected by the
old and exposed to radiation did not increase at the same rate as those who EB virus at up to 3 years old as a temporarily skin inflammation, but nothing
were unexposed. usually happens after that. But in the case of people exposed to vast amounts of
・Increasing mortality from brain or blood vessel disorders- Researchers who were radiation who cannot suppress the increase of the EB virus due to the weakened
looking up the names of diseases of the dead found out that people who were function of “T” lymphocytes, they may be in a recurrent infection state. As a result it
exposed to a radiation dosage of 1,500 mSv or higher had more strokes or heart was found that the number of their antibodies (anti-EB antibodies) was high.
diseases, which are related to blood vessels. 2  Acquired Gene Abnormality: According to the level of exposure dose,
chromosome aberrations could be seen even in a seemingly healthy person. Defect
The figure on the left shows the prevalence of hyper-parathyoidism increasing in in chromosome means defect in gene.
proportion to radiation dosage, and the figure on the right describes the mortality  a) Not ill, but have chromosomal aberrations. (Refer to Q21-2)
rates from brain or blood vessel disorders. You’ll notice that survivors exposed to a  b) Tumor mass grew in a mouse when DNA from bone marrow cells from a seemingly
radiation dosage of 1,500 mSv are likely to die from a stroke or rupture of an artery. healthy A-bomb survivor was injected into it.10) There are genes called RAS in our
I’ve heard that there are also many survivors who appear healthy, but in fact have cells and they usually act in a normal behavior, but if part of these genes mutates, it
physical and functional abnormalities, but not clearly defined disease. is known that they are able to cause/develop cancers. To verify this, treated DNA
extracted from bone marrow cells of A-bomb survivors was injected into immune-
Prevalence of hyperparathyroidism Mortality rate from non-malignant disease compromised mice. The shots were made to their groins of the right forelimb and
(brain/vascular disorders) the left hind leg, both soft parts of their bodies. They developed tumors in 3-4 weeks.
3.5 It was confirmed that mutated human RAS genes were seen in those tumors.
Age at the time Conducting follow-up research among the survivors who were positive for the test, one
3.0
(%)
2.0
of bombing (ATB):<40 developed brain cancer 3 years later, one developed leukemia 4 years later and one
Male 2.5 1966-85 developed breast cancer 9 years later, excluding one who died from stroke a year later.
Female
Relative risk

1.5
Transform Activity in Healthy Survivors
Prevalence

2.0

Estimated Number of tumor

Case dosage masses developed/ Detected Clinical course
1.0 1.5 (Sv) number of points defective genes after experiment
of injection

IK 4< 1/4 N-ras Cerebral apoplexy

1.0
1 year after initial exam(AIE)
0.5
SM 3.0 3/4 N-ras Refractory anemia 2 yrs AIE
0.5 Acute leukemia 4 yrs AIE
HY 3.6 2/4 N-ras Brain tumor 3 yrs AIE
0
0-0.009 0.01-0.499 0.50-0.999 1+ 0 TS 3.9 4/4 K-ras Breast cancer 9 yrs AIE
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Dose (thyroid dose, Gy)
Dosage ATB(Gy) A mouse with tumor mass The table shows the estimated dosage and cancer development of
seemingly healthy survivors whose DNA developed tumor masses in mice.
Partially modified figure 1, page139 of Effects of Partially modified figure 2, page 326 of Effects
A-Bomb Radiation on the Human Body9) of A-Bomb Radiation on the Human Body 9) Immunity: An ability to resist pathogenic organisms and toxins that have entered the body and remain healthy.
T lymphocytes: A type of white blood cell. It detects foreign substances.
B lymphocytes: A type of white blood cell. It generates a substance that neutralizes toxins from foreign substances.
Hyperparathyroidism: An illness in which cancer or hypertrophy is seen in the parathyroid which is behind the EB virus: A virus identified by Dr Epstein and Dr Barr in 1964. Ninety eight percent of the Japanese will be
thyroid, and produces excessive parathyroid hormones. Calcium is diverted to the blood resulting in affected by this virus by age three, but if being affected for the first time at an age over 20 years
weakened bones and kidney stones. old, it will develop into infectious mononucleosis.

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Were babies exposed to radiation in Radioactive Effects on Prenatally

Q18 their mothers’ wombs affected? Q18-2 Exposed A-bomb Survivors

A: It seems so. Many babies died before reaching one year of age. Measuring their
height, weight, head and chest girth every year until they became seventeen
years old, it was found that their average sizes were smaller than unexposed
Prenatally exposed A-bomb survivors are those children who were exposed to the
radiation when they were in their mothers’ wombs on August 6 and born by May 31,
1946 or earlier. The main effects on them are as follows:
children’s. Especially, there were many children with microcephaly, which means they 1. High Mortality Rate Among Newborn and Infants: This tendency was particularly
had unusually small heads and severely limited mental development. Many children seen when the mother was exposed to the radiation within a 2km radius and had
also developed cancer after they grew up. These symptoms were seen in proportion to suffered acute radiation symptoms (such as hair loss and a bleeding tendency-See
the radiation dosage their mother had been exposed to. Q12-2 and Q13-2) . The mortality rate rose to 26.1%. (Yamazaki J.N 1954) 11)
As for microcephaly, it is said to have a strong relationship to the mother’s period of 2. Frequent Cases with Microcephaly: According to research performed in 1972,
pregnancy (weeks eight through fifteen). I heard that there were well over two there were 48 cases of microcephaly in children prenatally exposed in Hiroshima
thousand babies who were born by mothers who were exposed to radiation within and 15 cases in Nagasaki. Microcephaly means that a person’s head
three kilometers of the hypocenter (prenatally exposed A-bomb survivors, details circumference is smaller than twice the standard deviation for his/her age. There
described in Q18-2). were 10 cases in Hiroshima and 4 in Nagasaki where both small head size and
You can see in the photo below an average twelve-year-old boy standing next to a mental retardation were seen. The incidence of microcephaly was frequent when
boy with microcephaly who is just under sixteen. The patient’s mother was exposed to the mother was exposed within the 18th week of pregnancy and the frequency
radiation about one kilometer away from the hypocenter in her eighth week of became higher in proportion to the radiation dose. (Miller & Blot 1972) 12)
pregnancy. The figure to the right shows the percentage of microcephaly by radiation 3. Growth Impairment: Body measurements of 1,608 prenatally exposed A-bomb
dosage. You can see microcephaly appears depending on the length of pregnancy survivors were taken every year on their birthdays from ages 9-17 years old.
and dosage. According to the results, a decrease in head circumference, height and weight were
seen among children whose mothers were exposed to radiation within a 1.5km
radius in comparison with children who did not have a small head size. Observing
their growth process from 9-17 years old, a decrease in those figures was similarly
Frequency of severe mental retardation
seen at the age of 17 as at the age of 9, while their growth increment over these
(%) years was similar to that of children not exposed to radiation.13) It could be said that
70 prenatally exposed A-bomb survivors had grown similarly as non-exposed children
although they were carrying developmental disturbances from an early phase.
60
4. High Risk of Cancer (ad interim report): Statistics from 1950-1984 show that 13
Severe mental retardation

8-15 weeks

50
out of 920 (group exposed over 0.01 Gray) developed cancer, which is statistically
All ages significant, compared
40 to the control group. Growth and Development
This group had not yet (cm) of Survivors Exposed at a Younger Age (kg)
30 Average height Average weight
reached the cancer- 170 Male 62

20 prone age and the 168 Female 60

166
16-25 weeks
incidence of cancer is 58
164
10 anticipated to increase, 162
56
but it could not be said 160 54
0
0 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.50 1.00 1.50 for certain. (Yoshimoto 158 52
Uterine dose (Gy) 1988)14) 156
(Otake and others, 1989)
50
154
48
Partially modified figure 2, page 233 of Effects of 152
A-Bomb Radiation on the Human Body9) 150 46
148 ABCD ABCD ABCD ABCD ABCD ABCD
44

Age at the time of bombing (years) Age at the time of bombing (years)
Modified figure 1, page 309 of Based on measurements conducted in 1966-68
An average 12-year-old boy (left) and a boy with microcephaly at the age of 15 years and 8 months (right). (Reprinted Effects of A-Bomb Radiation on Group A consists of persons not in Hiroshima at the time of the bombing (ATB).
Groups B, C and D were respectively exposed to 0-0.009Gy, 0.01-0.99Gy and 1Gy or greater (T65D)
from The Medical Effects of the Nagasaki Atomic Bombing, Scientific Data Center for the Atomic Bomb Disaster) the Human Body9)
44 ● ● 45
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Radiation Dose and Incidence of

Q19 What are cataracts? Q19-2 Cataracts

A: When you develop a cataract, the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. There are
“senile cataracts” that come from aging, “diabetic cataracts” that some diabetic
patients develop, and “traumatic cataracts” when the lens is damaged. There are also
The first A-bomb related cataract in Hiroshima was found in the autumn of 1949. The
diagnosis was given to a 22 -year- old male who was exposed to the radiation from the
bomb when he was riding on a streetcar 780m from the hypocenter, which was heading
“radiation cataracts” that are caused by radiation. south.15) Research into A-bomb related cataracts has been conducted from time to time.
 In the picture in the lower right, you can see where the lens is. It’s located in the 1949-1955 research (Hirose16)): 16.2% of the survivors within a 1,300m radius from
front part of the eye ball. the hypocenter
In the upper left is a photo of a cataract in the eye of a 45-year-old who was 1956-1958 research (Masuda - Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital17)): 79 out of 723 or
exposed at 950 meters from the hypocenter when the person was twelve years old. As 10.9% of the survivors within a 2km radius
in the description of the picture in the upper right, the black spots and the clump of 1957-1961 research (Doto- Hiroshima University Hospital18)): 80 out of 364 or 21.9%
spots in the middle of the eye is a “radiation cataract.” of the A-bomb survivors within a 2km radius
 The lower left photo shows the eye of the same person ten years after the picture 1958-1959 research (Toda - Hiroshima University Hospital19)): 31 out of 107 or 28.9%
above it was taken. Do you see how the eye has black from about four to seven of the A-bomb survivors within a 2km radius during their infancy were found
o’clock? This is a “senile cataract.” People who were exposed develop “senile to have an onset of cataracts.
cataracts” at an early age. This person probably has to undergo surgery. Now it is
much easier to have an operation, but it was very difficult in those days. A-bomb related cataracts started to be seen several years after exposure and it is
thought that all the possible cataracts had developed from 1957 to 1961. The
incidence rate of cataracts among survivors within a 2km radius is assumed to be
about 20%. In addition, the incidence of cataracts is likely to be higher for survivors
exposed during their infancy.
Kamada’s research had been indicating that an A-bomb related cataract hastens
Illustration of the left photo the senile cataracta 2), and it was proved right with research from 2000-2002
conducted by the RERF, observing 837 subjects individually.20) The incidence of
A-bomb related cataracts is high among survivors who were not in shadow or were
The black spots
close to the hypocenter and had suffered acute radiation symptom.
and the black part
in the center is the
radiation cataract.

lens light reflection

A cataract from a 45 year-old person who was Frequency of atomic bomb cataracts among
uvea
exposed to the effects of the atomic bomb 950m survivors exposed during infancy
from the hypocenter at the age of 12 (%)
vitreum
retina 60
iris
50 A-bomb cataract
lens optic nerves
to brain
40
30
The figure shows the correlation
between frequency of atomic 20
bomb cataracts among survivors
exposed during infancy and 10
Ten years after the picture above was taken when distance from the hypocenter.
the person was 55 years old (senile cataract has The incidence increases as the 0
progressed as well as radiation cataract in the distance decreases.19)
1.0 1.0−1.2 1.2−1.4 1.4−1.6 1.6−1.8 1.8− 2.0km
center).

46 ● ● 47
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Q20 What is a keloid? Q20-2 Visible Effects of A-bomb Heat Rays

A: When the atomic bomb exploded, a great amount of heat rays was released
with the radiation. Parts of the body which were directly exposed to heat rays
and radioactive rays were seriously burned, but by December of that year, most
people had recovered from their burns and were very relieved. However, their burns
started to swell from about January of 1946. A keloid is defined as “an overgrowth of
tissue with a rubbery consistency at the site of a skin injury with a copper-colored shiny
surface that causes stinging pain or itchiness.”21) Normally burns rarely develop
keloids, but sixty to seventy percent of the burns caused by the bomb did.
People had a hard time because when they removed the elevated part, soon a
new keloid grew. Surgery eventually became more effective for restoring range of
motion around the joints but there was little doctors could do to restoring cosmetic
damage. People with keloids on their face or arms were embarrassed to be seen in
public and they must have been suffering mentally. I felt so sorry for them.
Some people still seem to have stinging pains and keloids sometimes turn red Shadow of railings on the bridge floor of the Ruins of a steel reinforced theater 800m north of
after forty to fifty years. The upper photo is of keloids on a patient’s left hand six Yorozuyo Bridge. It remained white where the rays the hypocenter. (Photographed by Shunkichi
were blocked by the railings. (from US Forces B-105) Kikuchi, provided by his bereaved family.)
months after the bomb. The lower photo is of a female patient with keloids seen on her
nose, chin and both hands. How horrible…

A shadow of a valve etched on the wooden wall of

Yoshijima-cho prison, approx.2.1km from the hypocenter
Keloids on a left arm six months after the (from US Forces B-117)
bombing (male) (Provided from US Forces)
A roof and ladder etched on a gas tank
where they were in shadow retained their
original black color. (from US Forces B-127)

Keloids seen on nose, chin and both arms A burned orange (photographed by Shunkichi
(female) (Provided from US Forces) Kikuchi, provided by his bereaved family)

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Frequency of Chromosome
Aberrations is Proportional to
Q21 Where are chromosomes located? Q21-2 Radiation Dose

A: It is said that there are sixty trillion cells in the human body. Each of the sixty
trillion cells has a nucleus that carries a substance that develops into a gene
called DNA. Chromosomes replicate in both cells when a cell divides into two and can
Radioactive rays damage DNA or cut the strands (vertical blue line in the upper left
figure below) just as some chemicals do, but what is particular in radiation is that it
cuts two strands at once. In many cases the radiation cuts two strands next to each
be seen with a microscope. Let me explain it to you in detail. other. This would not be a problem as long as the disconnected DNA strands were
Normally, each cell nucleus does a particular job. Cells in bone marrow where reconnected to the same places, but if the two strands are reconnected in a wrong
blood is produced, and epithelial cells in intestines or skin, are used everyday, so new way, abnormal shapes will be seen in the chromosome.
cells have to constantly be made by cell division to cover the number of the cells used. Research on chromosomes of A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki has
That is why divisions are frequently seen in those cells. been held from about 1963, observing their peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL),
The figure shows how a cell divides into two. Chromosomes are shaped in B-lymphocytes, bone marrow cells, skin cells, etc.
metaphase. You can see that a cell divides into two cells with each having the same The figure on the upper right below shows the percentage of PBL T-cells with
amount of DNA. The upper part of the figure is a close-up of chromosomes in chromosome aberrations (Hiroshima, Nagasaki,) 22) The figure to the left on bottom
metaphase. The amount of chromosomes is the same among animals or plants of the describes bone marrow cells with chromosome aberrations 20-25 years after the
same species. The number of chromosomes in a human being is forty-six. exposure. Seeing the number of cells with chromosome aberrations and the frequency
of aberration per cell, both in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, those percentages become
higher as radiation dose gets higher. In addition, the frequency of abnormal cells was
higher among survivors in Hiroshima than in Nagasaki.
This might be related to the fact that the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was a
uranium bomb of which the amount of neutron rays was higher than the bomb dropped
on Nagasaki. The characteristics seen in survivors’ chromosome aberrations are
shown in the figure at the bottom right.

DNA Structure Damaged by Carcinogen Chromosome aberrations

Chemical substance Radiation
in bone marrow cells
100

Percentage of chromosome aberrations(%)

A T T A 90
DNA
strand break
C G G C
80

centromere chromosome
Base damage Depyrimidine 70
center body nucleus (two chromatids) spindle fiber C G A T
DNA 60
double-strand breaks
50
A T Molecule C G
cross-link break Depurination 40
G C C G 30
DRUG Mired in
Damage to sugar
20
T A A T
10
Phosphoric acid Sugar A G Base Molecule cross-link 0
less than0.5
Distance from the hypocenter (1983 Kamada)
interphase prophase
metaphase Hiroshima Nagasaki

Frequency of aberrant cells (%)

50 50
anaphase 40 40 Characteristics of Chromosome
30 30 Aberrations Among Healthy
20 20
Atomic Bomb Survivors
1 Correlates well with the amount of dosage
10 10
2 Persists for a long period as stable chromosome
aberrations
0 0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0
3 Observable in every tissue that was exposed
DS86 bone marrow dose (Gy) DS86 bone marrow dose (Gy)
E(p | d)=1.01+7.2d E(p | d)=1.30+5.1d 4 Maintains aberrations also at the stem cell-level
(e.g., bone marrow, intestines, mammary glands)
E(p | d)=1.04+5.4d+1.4d2 E(p | d)=1.4+1.1d+3.3d2

telophase interphase Modified figure 6, page 254 of Effects of A-Bomb Radiation on the Human Body 9)
Bone marrow cells: A general name for white blood cells (such as neutrophils and monocytes) or red blood cells
DNA: Details described in Q10-2. residing in bone marrow, where blood is produced, at their younger stage.

50 ● ● 51
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How many A-bomb survivors are Changes in A-bomb Survivors'

Q22 there in Japan now? Q22-2 Population

A: About 270,000 A-bomb survivors live in Japan now. The registration of A-bomb
survivors started in 1957, I think, and almost 200,000 A-bomb survivors
registered that first year; however, there were many survivors who didn’t register
Some A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki fled to outlying areas and some of
them returned to their hometowns after their military service. This resulted in survivors
being scattered all around the country. How many died from the atomic bombing in
because they feared it would ruin their daughters’ marriage prospects if people knew Hiroshima and Nagasaki? How many survived? In what living conditions do those
they were A-bomb survivors. survivors live now? It is very important to verify the reality of their situations with the
The registration of A-bomb survivors first became known to the wider public A-bomb survivors in order to reveal the whole picture of the atomic bombings.
because of surveys conducted in the national census in 1965 and 1975. About A lot of surveys have been conducted and the results from the major ones are as
400,000 A-bomb survivors registered in 1982. However, these numbers still don’t follows:
include those who had died before the first registration started. Other investigations
showed that about 133,000 survivors had already died by then. Through other data
Responsible
and materials, we found that over 544,000 people were exposed to the A-bomb 23) and Year Name of survey organization General Comments
about half of them are alive at present. Survey on human suffering in 320,081 deaths including
August, 1946 Hiroshima City
 The distribution chart on the left shows the A-bomb survivors who are alive, and the Hiroshima city missing people
bar graph on the right shows the top ten prefectures where most A-bomb survivors are October, 1950
Nationwide survey on A-bomb
Atomic Bomb Casualty 283,508 survivors
survivors
living now, other than Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not the (incidental to national census) Commission (ABCC)
only places where A-bomb survivors live, and many survivors are living in other Survey on actual condition of
November, 1965 A-bomb survivors Ministry of Health
prefectures as well. Wherever you go in Japan you can find A-bomb survivors. (incidental to national census) and Welfare 277,955 survivors

Survey on actual condition of Questionnaire sent to 357,141

November, 1975 A-bomb survivors Ministry of Health survivors based on the A-bomb
Basic survey, living survey, and Welfare Survivor Health Book register book.
anecdotal survey 293,693 responded (82.2%)
Survey on actual condition of Questionnaire sent to 361,672 survivors,
A-bomb survivors and 313,499 responded (86.7%).
October, 1985 Survey on survivors, survey Ministry of Health The number of the dead was 173,925.
on A-bomb victims and Welfare 11,929 new deaths were confirmed by
(incidental to national census) this survey.
Survey on actual condition of Questionnaire sent to 324,072
November, 1995 A-bomb survivors Ministry of Health survivors and 248,553
(incidental to national census) and Welfare responded (76.7%)

The Hiroshima City government comprehensively analyzed the results of these surveys and also the results of
surveys at related facilities and announced that the total number of A-bomb survivors was 541,817 as of 1995.23)
Distribution chart Number of A-bomb survivors by prefecture
(Hiroshima and Nagasaki excluded).
for all A-bomb survivors (number of people) (as of March, 2004)
(as of March, 2004) 10,000
9,000 number of A-bomb survivors Change of Population of A-bomb Survivors
8,000 (Person)
400,000
Other prefectures 7,000

Population of A-bomb survivors

28.4% 6,000
Hiroshima 5,000
279,174 Prefecture 300,000
survivors 45.4% 4,000
3,000
2,000 200,000
Nagasaki Prefecture 1,000
26.2%
0 Fu To O C A O Sa
sa Kan Hyo Yam hib ich ka
ku
ok
kyo ka ag g ag a i ya itam 100,000
a aw o uc m
a a
a hi

0
1957 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2003
National census: a survey of the basic attributes of the entire population such as age, household members,
employment, housing, etc., conducted every 10 years.

52 ● ● 53
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How many A-bomb survivors are Medical Examinations of A-bomb

Q23 living overseas? Q23-2 Survivors Living Abroad

A: As of December 2003 about 2,200 A-bomb survivors were in South Korea,

about 1,100 survivors in North America, and about 180 in South America (mostly
in Brazil and Argentina). It is also estimated that 1,500 survivors are in North Korea.
A-bomb survivors living in North America:
Since A-bomb survivors had fears that they could develop A-bomb diseases, medical
examinations for those survivors were provided for the first time in April 1977 for
The survivors in North and South Korea were exposed to the A-bomb while they were humanitarian reasons. The Hiroshima Medical Association and Radiation Effects
in Japan, often by force, to work in shipbuilding plants in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in Research Foundation played a central role in the examinations. Since the second
accordance with the National Mobilization Order during World War II. All of the examination in 1979, physicians in Hiroshima have set up a team to give medical
A-bomb survivors in North and South America are Japanese who emigrated to the examinations to A-bomb survivors living in North America every two years with a
United States or South America (mainly Brazil) after the war or came to live there after commission from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
marrying foreigners. These medical checkups have been carried out mainly in San Francisco, Los
The building in the upper photo below is the A-bomb Survivors Welfare Center in Angeles, Seattle, and Honolulu. As shown in the following chart, 40 to 50% of the
Cholla-Namdo, South Korea, and the building in the lower photo is Nipo-Brasileira 1,100 survivors in North America have received a medical examination.
Hospital in Sao Paulo. A-bomb survivors living in South Korea and Brazil can receive A-bomb survivors living in South America:
support and medical treatment in those facilities.
The same as for A-bomb survivors in North America, medical examinations for A-bomb
survivors in South America have been provided, in principle, once every two years since
1985 with the aim of providing them with a health checkup and counseling relating to
the aftereffects from the atomic bomb, and to help eliminate their psychological fears.
The Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Hiroshima Prefectural
Government, and Nagasaki Prefectural Government have carried out these medical
examinations with physicians from university hospitals, Red Cross Hospitals, and other
hospitals in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and send doctors to South America. Brazil,
Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru are the main countries where these medical
checkups are given. There are a little less than 180 survivors in South America and 50
to 60 % of them have received medical examinations as shown in the figure below.
A-bomb survivors living in South Korea:
A-bomb Survivors Welfare Center
It is said that there are about 2,200 Korean survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima
(South Korea) and Nagasaki. In 1990, Japan’s Prime Minister and the South Korean President had a
meeting and expressed that both governments offer 4 billion yen each as funds for an
assistance project to A-bomb survivors in South Korea. With the funds as a major
financial source, the Korean Red Cross Society conducted the project following the
assistance system for A-bomb
Number of A-bomb Survivors who Received
survivors in Japan. After that, Medical Examination in North and South America
it was decided that a medical (Person)

The number of people receiving a medical examination

600
examination by Japanese North America
South America
physicians would be provided 500

in South Korea from July 400

2004 as an important pillar in
the assistance project in 300

Japan for survivors living 200

overseas. Doctors and health
Nipo-Brasileira Hospital (Brazil) counseling nurses are sent 100

from Nagasaki prefecture. 0

1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001
National Mobilization Order: forcing people (mainly from the Korean Peninsula) to move to Japan to work in
support of the war effort.

54 ● ● 55
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A Day at the Nursing Home and

Q24 Don’t you feel lonely at times? Q24-2 Yearly Events

A: Well, I don’t have any children, but many junior and senior high school students
come from all over Japan to visit our nursing home to comfort us or study about
peace. Also, my younger sister visits me sometimes and talks to me. That’s why I
Residents at the nursing home start each day at 6 o’clock when they get up, and finish
off the day at 9 o’clock at night when the lights are turned off. However, they spend
their time during the day in their own way. Some of them might have breakfast at 10
usually don’t feel lonely. o’clock. Also they can take a bath everyday other than Saturday and Sunday if they
We have a special event each season and a birthday party every month. We also like, even though they usually take a bath twice a week. Club activities at the nursing
have club activities including music and making pottery, so we are usually busy and home include Ikebana (flower arrangement), tea ceremony, Taisho koto (Japanese
seldom feel lonely. harp), making pottery, and knitting. Each club has its activity once or twice a month.
But we do feel very sad when our friends leave the nursing home to be admitted The figure below shows an example of a schedule of “a typical day at the nursing
to the hospital because of a disease related to the bomb. No one could understand the home.”
deep sadness we feel when this happens. Atomic bombs should never be used again.
We should never have another A-bomb experience anywhere in the world, with all its
widespread, never-ending grief. A Day at the Special Nursing Home (24 hours)
0:00

21:00pm
lights-out time
bedtime

dinner
wake-up
18:00pm afternoon morning 6:00am

breakfast
taking a bath, taking a bath, 7:30am
club activities, rehabilitation, 8:00am
meeting visitors medical examination

15:00pm
coffee break
lunch
10:00am
coffee break
noon

Residents dressed like hina dolls (emperor and Monthly birthday party
Annual Events at the Nursing Home
empress dolls) at a Japanese Doll Festival
Month Events*
January Hatsugama (First tea ceremony)
February Setsubun (Bean-Throwing Festival celebrating spring)
March Hina Matsuri (Japanese Doll Festival)
April Cherry blossom viewing party, Day trip
May Family day
June Overnight trip
July Visit Memorial Cenotaph
August Summer festival
September Respect for aged day, Moon-viewing tea ceremony
October Overnight trip
November Family and pets day, Day trip
December Year-end party, Mochi (rice cake) pounding, Christmas party
Practicing Ikebana (flower arrangement) Pounding rice cake at the end of the year
*Birthday party every month

56 ● ● 57
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Key Points of the Peace

Q25 How do you spend August Sixth? Q25-2 Declarations 24)

A: When I was more energetic and healthier I used to visit my ancestors’ grave in
the early morning before it got hot. Many families who lost loved ones on August
Sixth visit their graves then. Those who lost a family member on that day but couldn’t
The Hiroshima mayor has delivered the Peace Declaration every year at the Peace
Memorial Ceremony since 1947. On the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombing in
1995, children’s representatives, who were elementary school students at the time,
find a body visit the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound in Peace Memorial Park before a began delivering the Commitment to Peace at the ceremony.
special ceremony starts. The Peace Declaration reflects the social conditions of the times and includes the
These days on August Sixth, I have breakfast at seven thirty and watch a TV Mayor’s thoughts strongly. (The shortest peace declaration (Japanese version) was
program at eight o’clock. At times government officials visit us around ten in the delivered in 1952 with 327 Japanese characters and the longest one was in 2003 with
morning. For the last fifteen years Kotaro Yamamoto, Kousetsu Minami, and Kohei 1671 Japanese characters.) Let’s see the key points of the Peace Declarations.
Otomo have been coming to the nursing home in the afternoon every year and singing
for us. But in the evening
when the darkness begins to Key Points of the Peace Declarations Delivered by Previous
set in, we feel sad and lonely and Present Mayors of Hiroshima
when we remember the loss Year Key point
of our families. These days 1947 First Peace Declaration. The mayor emphasized rejection of war and appealed for world peace in the declaration.
especially that memory has 1959 The horror of radiation effects on the human body was emphasized.
become a heavier burden 1960 Mayor called for “prohibiting all nuclear weapons and abolishing wars completely.”
because of my poor physical 1971 For the first time, the mayor raised the issue of the importance of conveying to posterity the idea of“in order that the
condition. All life is precious meaning of war and peace may be handed down infallibly to the coming generations, education for peace should
be promoted with vigour and cogency throughout the world.” It was in 1993 when the issue was raised again in the
and we should not have any declaration.
more wars. 1973 “Solidarity and co-operation of the entire world” was appealed for.
1976 Mayor strongly criticized nuclear powers; raising specific names for the first time with the mention that“the nuclear
powers of the world led by the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.”
The inscription of the date of death, August 6th, 1945 can be seen
on many gravestones in Hiroshima. 1980 Mayor made a significant request to the Japanese government saying “the Government of Japan should take the
initiative in advocating......”
1982 Concept for“solidarity of cities throughout the world” was announced. Three years later in 1985, first World
Conference of Mayors for Peace through Inter-city Solidarity was held.
1985 Included other issues besides the nuclear issue with the mention that“sharing our planet's finite resources in the
spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, we must eliminate starvation and poverty.”
1990 Support for A-bomb survivors who were outside Japan was called for with the mention of, “support for those
hibakusha residents on the Korean Peninsula, in the United States, and elsewhere......”
1991 Referred to the responsibility of Japan as a victimizer with the mention of, “Japan inflicted great suffering and
despair on the peoples of Asia and the Pacific during its reign of colonial domination and war.”
1996 Mentioned necessity of “the extensive documentation on the bombing be archived.”
Burial mound for the unidentified 1999 Language style changed to be less formal. The three contributions A-bomb survivors have made were honored,
(A-bomb Memorial Mound) and especially the mayor expressed his deepest gratitude to them for one of their accomplishments, they effectively
prevented a third use of nuclear weapons. Also referred to in the preamble of the Constitution.
2000 Six reconciliations in the declaration are distinctive. “The road to reconciliation, human reconciliation, symbol of
reconciliation, reconciliation by helping to resolve conflict and animosity, global reconciliation, a genuine
reconciliation.”
2001 First peace declaration in the 21st century was worked out under the concept of humanity: humanity, a city of
humanity, a century of peace and humanity, make reconciliation and humanity top priorities.
2002 Emphasized “the path of reconciliation severing chains of hatred, violence and retaliation,” and urged President
Bush to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the first time.
2003 Called for taking emergency action to promote the abolition of nuclear weapons toward the NPT Review
Conference in New York in 2005.
Residents at the nursing home are
watching a TV program of the Peace
Memorial Ceremony on the morning of Refer to History of Peace Declaration page 106 – 111
August 6th.
58 ● ● 59
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How does radiation physically and Psychological Burden Borne

Q26 mentally affect people? Q26-2 by A-bomb Survivors

A: At the time, I couldn’t do anything other than escaping by myself immediately

after the atomic bombing. I couldn’t even rescue a small child who was calling
for help. To feel remorse won’t get me anywhere, but…..
Dr. Takashi Nagai began relief operations for A-bomb survivors at an early stage, and he
identified “instant death, external injuries, burns, and psychological disorders” as the four
immediately occurring disorders in his report. From his report, we can see that the symptoms
Now I fear I’ll develop cancer because of my weakened body. Some residents in of psychological disorder; stupor, excessive irritation, and amnesia in A-bomb survivors was
this nursing home have developed breast cancer or lung cancer, so it is probable quite strong from the beginning. Dr. Robert Lifton, professor of Psychiatry at Yale University,
that I might too….. interviewed A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima in 1962 to investigate how the bomb experience
In another facility, an A-bomb survivor committed suicide because of the fear of had remained in their memory.25) He made a detailed report regarding the psychological
catching a disease. Radiation is terrible. It continues hurting the body and soul for influence seen on the bomb survivors. His report can be summed up as follows:
many years. 1. Remorse and the feeling of guilt:
I understand that the Great Tokyo Air Raids and the Great Hanshin Earthquake A feeling of guilt that only they survived while leaving family members and students who were
also gave terrible damage to many people, but the damage caused by the atomic calling for help to suffer alone, a strong regret that they did not rescue them, although, in fact, it
bombing is quite different. It continues for many years. The nursing home staff and was really impossible for them to do that. A feeling of guilt that they have led their present lives
my relatives take good care of me, so I know I should do my best to get over it. I am pretending they are not A-bomb survivors (if they have declared that they were, they could not
sorry to be so grim. have gotten married or been employed). Such feelings could be changed to a feeling of apology
The residents here also publish a haiku collection every year. Some of them and atonement and could provoke an act of offering water to the memorial monument for mobilized
depict their feelings of suffering from that terrible experience. students because they were not able to give any water to them at the time of the A-bomb.
2. Infinite fear:
A fear that they might suffer the same fate as their family members or friends who died of
A-bomb diseases. A fear that radiation could affect their children when they married and had
children. We could easily see that such fears caused suicides among A-bomb survivors and
continued until around 1975.
3. Escape from memories of the A-bomb experiences:
Those who witnessed the horrible scenes from hell feel strongly that they never want to meet the
same situation again so they create a mental barrier. Their intentions to keep the barrier lead to
their unusual fear and rejection to lightning and strong flashes of light, their act of keeping away
from A-bomb survivors with keloids, and their rejection of recalling those days and talking about
it to the others.
4. Respect and sense of awe towards the deceased:
A-bomb survivors judge their own behavior or other survivors’ actions with a measure of to what
extent they have respect and sense of awe towards the deceased. For example, they harshly
criticize behavior featuring or capitalizing on A-bomb experiences or insulting the deceased to attract
attention from other people. To sincerely console the spirits of the deceased is the very least they
can do to atone for their guilt feelings. They offer the deceased every courtesy from such feelings.

Cover of Sumire, a haiku collection, which is Some haiku poems from the Sumire haiku
published every year. collection

Dr. Takashi Nagai: He was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia and was within three years of death in
June 1945 when he was working as an associate professor in the radiology department of
Nagasaki University School of Medicine. On August 9th of the same year, he was exposed to the
A-bombing in his office in the university hospital 700 meters from the hypocenter. Although he had
been in a severe physical condition, he had conducted relief activities for the A-bomb survivors for
two months and he submitted a report with a detailed description of injuries among A-bomb Around 2:00pm on August 6th (Hisao Kato) In front of Shirakami Shrine, date unknown
survivors. He died in May 1951 at the age of 43. “Konoko wo Nokoshite (Leave These Children)” (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum) (Masato Une)
is one of his books. (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum)
60 ● ● 61
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How did you begin teaching others Trend in Number of Publications

Q27 about your A-bomb experience? Q27-2 Concerning A-bomb Experiences

A: Well, when I was 64 years old, I suffered from heart disease and stayed in a
hospital for a while. That was the same period as the first Iraq war. In the hospital
watching TV, I saw many people die in the war everyday. I saw many children get hurt
General Douglas MacArthur came to Japan as the Supreme Commander of the
General Headquarters (Occupational Forces) on August 30th, 1945 and enforced a
press code starting on September 19th that provided for strict censorship of published
in the war, too. I felt terrible and I didn’t know how I could handle such feelings again. and broadcast reporting related to the A-bomb.
Then, I came to think that we should not have war in any country or between races Every newspaper company had to obtain prior permission for their articles
or religions. A patient in the bed next to me was also an A-bomb survivor. We started concerning the A-bomb before printing. Most of the news reports were not permitted
sharing our own experiences of the war with each other little by little, and gradually that and they were partly cut, forbidden, or suspended. Gradually such news reports were
made my feelings soften and opened me up. At the same time, my anti-war opinions reduced. Not only news reports, but also books, poems, and all other literature
became stronger. regarding the A-bomb were considerably restricted.
 I came to this nursing home in 1997, and since then I have talked about my A-bomb The press code was suspended after the Japan-US Security Treaty was signed
experience to students from all over Japan who visit here to study about peace. I on September 8th, 1951.
always tell them that all war is bad. You should learn from the start how to get along The figure below shows the trend by year 26) in the number of A-bomb experience
with not only your friends and people around you, but also people from different races, stories written by A-bomb survivors between 1946 and 1995. A-bomb survivors began
nationalities, and religions. writing about their A-bomb experiences in notes about 10 years after the bombing and
the movement reached a peak on the 50th anniversary of the Atomic Bomb. A subsidy
system for publishing such stories was established by the city government; however,
since 1996 with the aging of A-bomb survivors very few books have been published.
The Hiroshima Nursing Homes for A-bomb Survivors have been publishing the
booklet named “Shihi (Written Monument)” since 1981 to help the residents leave their
A-bomb testimonies. The fifth volume of the booklet was published in 2005.

Trend by Year of A-bomb Survivors Published Book

stories
6,000

Total 3,779 stories

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000
Front cover of the fourth
0 volume of “Shihi (Written
1946 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 Monument)”

Modified figure 2 on page 392 of “The general catalog of books and

magazines carrying A-bomb experience stories from 1945 to 1995”.

provided by US Forces Japan-US Security Treaty: This treaty was signed between the US and Japan in September 1951 at the same
time as the San Francisco Peace Treaty. The presence of US troops in Japan was determined
under the treaty in order to ensure security in Japan’s unarmed condition after the withdrawal of
occupation forces from Japan when the Peace Treaty was ratified. Some parts were revised in
1960, and since then it has been extended automatically.

62 ● ● 63
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Does radiation still cause cancer to High Incidence of Cancer in Recent

Q28 A-bomb survivors? Q28-2 Days

A: Yes, it does. Cases of leukemia and thyroid cancer are decreasing, but many
A-bomb survivors are still likely to suffer breast or colon cancer. Most of the
A-bomb survivors who develop breast cancer were twenty years old or younger at the
The incidence of leukemia and thyroid cancer, which was the highest five to ten years
after the A-bombing, has decreased recently to the same level as non-exposed
people. However, it has become clear that an increase in skin cancer 27) and
time of the bombing. meningioma 28) among the survivors began around 40 years after the bombing.
One of my friends was exposed to the atomic bomb near the hypocenter and she (Please refer to the photo on the lower right of Q16.)
suffered burns on her face and arms. Then, at the age of 57, she suddenly developed Outbreaks of skin cancers occurred around 40 years later when the red in the keloids
uterine cancer, then breast cancer nine years later. At the age of 69, she suffered from that were formed from the exposure to the A-bomb began fading. Meningioma is a
a brain tumor (meningioma). (Please refer to Q28-2.) benign brain tumor; however, even though it is benign, it has to be treated with surgery
Similarly, other A-bomb survivors have multiple cancers, developing thyroid, colon as a malignancy when the tumor becomes large in the limited volume of the cranial bone.
and brain tumors at certain ages. Many A-bomb survivors suffered, or are suffering, As explained in Q16-2, the occurrence of cancer in the skin and cranial membrane
from their second or third cancer. had not been expected because they don’t have many cell divisions. However, further
statistics revealed that the incidence of the cancers has increased in proportion to the
exposed dose of radiation. They are clearly the seventh and eighth most frequent
Survivors with Triple Cancers radiation-related tumors respectively.
The upper figure shows the incidence of skin cancer by year, and the lower figure
shows the situation for meningioma. Both of them began increasing around 1975.
Exposed to the A-bomb at former Hiroshima
Central Telegraph and Telephone Bureau
(530 meters from the hypocenter) at age 15 Incidence of Skin Cancer by Year

Incidence
Estimated radiation dose of 3,800 mSv Incidence of Skin Cancer by Year

Incidence
40
(based on the abnormality rate of chromosomes) 40
under 2.0km

rate/100,000
30 2.0km
under 2.5km

rate/100,000
1945 : Facial burn scar 30 under 2.5km
3.0km and over
Upper right arm and forearm burn scar 20
3.0km and over
1988 : Surgery of uterine cancer (at age 57)

A-bomb
20
1991 : Surgery of left breast cancer (at age 60)

A-bomb
10
1999 : Meningioma (at age 68) 10

survivors/year
survivors/year
0
0 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985
1965
1969 1970
1974 1975
1979 1980
1984 1985
1987
1969 1974 1979 1984 1987

Modified figure 7, page 562 from reference 27

Exposed to the A-bomb at Honkawa
Elementary School (410 meters from the
hypocenter) at age 11 Incidence of Meningioma by Year
Incidence of Meningioma by Year

Incidence
Estimated radiation dose of 4,900 mSv 20

Incidence
(based on the abnormality rate of chromosomes) 20 A-bomb survivor
A-bomb survivor
Non-A-bomb survivor 14.9±7.1

of meningioma
1973 : Bilateral damage to hearing Non-A-bomb survivor 14.9±7.1

of meningioma
A-bomb cataract 10.1±4.3
10 10.1±4.3
1985 : Thyroid cancer surgery (at age 51) 10 7.4±3.5
1991 : Constrictive lung disorder 5.3±2.9 7.4±3.5

(per(per
5.3±2.9 5.6±0.1
1996 : Colon cancer surgery (at age 62) 4.3±0.1
100,000)
1.0±0.1 5.6±0.1
1998 : Glaucoma 100,000)
0 1.0±0.1
2.8±0.1 4.3±0.1
2.8±0.1
2001 : Meningioma surgery (at age 67) 0 1975 1980 1985 1990
1975
1979 1980
1984 1985
1989 1990
1992
1979 1984 1989 1992

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Why do survivors have to suffer Increasing Incidence of a Second

Q29 from three cancers? Q29-2 Cancer

A: As I said earlier (in Q21), the radiation that the A-bomb survivors were exposed
to was over the whole body and damaged the chromosomes. Abnormal
chromosomes inevitably bring gene abnormalities. We understand that cancer
Doctors29) from Nagasaki University have reported that the number of A-bomb
survivors with a second cancer increased in the 1990s. Based on the results of
pathological specimens collected for 31 years from 1968 to 1999, they found that
develops when several genes become abnormal. In the case of colon cancer, it is said 1.) with increasing age, the rate of incidence of a second cancer becomes higher and
to be caused by seven related genes becoming abnormal. 2.) the rate has become higher among those who were exposed to radiation within 2.5
A-bomb survivors were exposed to radiation on many parts of their body (organs), kilometers.
and the radiation caused damage to many of their genes at one time. So on the The second cancers include stomach cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, skin
grounds that their genes would become cancerous (fifth and sixth genetic aberrations) cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer in descending order of rate of incidence.
they were already seriously injured. But also they develop cancers on various parts of The most common cases of the combination are the occurrence of stomach cancer
their body easier and faster when they are exposed to things like tar from cigarettes or after developing colon cancer, colon cancer after stomach cancer, lung cancer after
curative medicines for cancer (some medicines are harmful to genes) compared to stomach cancer, and liver cancer after colon cancer.29) Statistics on single cancers
other people who were not exposed to radiation. It is so terrible to have cancer once, among Japanese demonstrated that stomach cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and
let alone three times. That’s why we definitely should never allow nuclear arms to be liver cancer have occurred most frequently among both men and women as the four
used in war. major cancers.
We cannot say that non-exposed people will not have a second cancer. Statistics
regarding the combination of these cancers have not been investigated because there
are very few cases of developing a second cancer among them. As explained in Q29,
Survivors with Triple Cancers we can understand that the incidence rate of second cancers among aging people is
high from the fact that they have more chances to encounter substances that may
Exposed to the A-bomb outside Exposed to the A-bomb inside damage their genes as they age.
in Funairi-cho a Japanese-style house in Hakushima
(1.0km from the hypocenter) at age 3 Higashinaka-machi
(1.7km from the hypocenter) at age 15
(estimated radiation dose 100mSv)

1982 : Mediastinal tumor surgery (at age 40) 1996 : Uterine cancer surgery (at age 66)
1995 : Thyroid cancer surgery (at age 53) 1997 : Right lung cancer surgery (at age 67)
Trend by Year of A-bomb Survivors Incidence by Gender and Age in A-bomb
1998 : Left breast cancer surgery (at age 56) 2000 : Malignant lymphoma surgery (at age 70) with Two or More Cancers Survivors with Two or More Cancers
120
A-bomb survivor exposed to radiation at age 3, then A-bomb survivor exposed to radiation at age 15, then 120
developed three cancers. developed three cancers. 100 under 2.5km Total (n=569)

Incidence/100,000/year

Incidence/100,000/age
2.5km and over 100 Female (n=253)
80 Male (n=316)
80
60
60
40 40
20 20

0 0
1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996
1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999
year Age

Breast cancer tissue in an A-bomb survivor at age 56 Tissue of malignant lymphoma in an A-bomb Modified figure 1 on page 34 and figure 4 on page 35 from reference 29
survivor at age 70

66 ● ● 67
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Radiation Induced Diseases
Designated by the National
Q30 What do you do when you get sick? Q30-2 Government and Various Allowances

A: Usually every two weeks a doctor examines us to check on our general physical
conditions. We also have health checkups twice a year under the “Health
Checkup system for A-bomb Survivors” and once a year we have detailed examinations
The radiation induced diseases designated under the ordinance of the Ministry of
Health, Labor and Welfare are listed in the table below; however, when the diseases
are not clearly related to radiation, they are excluded. A-bomb survivors can receive an
for lung and breast cancer, and multiple myeloma. Not only general physicians but also allowance according to the type and extent of the disease.
specialists like eye doctors, psychiatrists, dermatologists, orthopedists, and urologists
visit our nursing home once or twice every month to treat the residents with diseases. Allowance People Eligible for Allowance
First of all, once we are diagnosed with disease, a specialist examines us. Then if it Classification
(1) Special Medical Survivors who are suffering from diseases or injuries designated by the
is necessary, the physician writes a referral to send the patient to a nearby general Allowance Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare to be attributable to atomic bomb
hospital. According to the nurses, however, some residents get sick suddenly and they radiation (certified patients).
are taken to the hospital by ambulance. Such cases happen about thirty times a year. (2) Special Survivors who have received the certificate mentioned above by Minister
Allowance for Health, Labor, and Welfare, and have been cured of the diseases or
I’ve also heard that the number of hospitalizations among our 300 residents with injuries.
diseases is about 200, including residents hospitalized more than once. (3) Atomic Bomb People afflicted with microcephaly due to A-bomb radiation (excluding
The charts below show the kinds of diseases among the A-bomb residents. We can Microcephaly those who haven't had physical or mental disorders specified under the
Allowance ordinance by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)
see from the charts that the residents have about nine to ten diseases on average. (4) Health Those suffering from any diseases with disorders below specified under
Management the ordinance by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Allowance
Disorders specified by Minister Major diseases
of Health, Labor and Welfare
1. Hematopoietic disturbances Aplastic anemia, Iron deficiency anemia
Most common diseases of residents 2. Liver function disturbances Liver cirrhosis etc.
1.Circulatory system 3. Cell proliferation disturbances Malignant tumors, Myeloid leukemia etc.
(cardiac disease, hypertension, etc.)…………… 20.7% 4. Endocrine disturbances Diabetes, Thyroid disease, etc.
2.Digestive system Sub-arachnoid hemorrhage, Cerebral
5. Cerebrovascular disturbances hemorrhage, Cerebral thrombosis, Cerebral
(gastric ulcer, esophagitis, hepatitis, etc.)……… 18.5% embolism, etc.
3.Severe dementia, insomnia……………………… 17.2% Hypertensive heart disease,
6. Circulatory disturbances Chronic ischemic heart disease, etc.
4.Bone and joint disorders
(spondylosis deformans, lower back pain, etc.)… 12.3% 7. Kidney function disturbances Chronic nephritis, Nephrotic syndrome, etc.
8. Visual disturbances due to Cataract
5.Ophthalmic disorders……………………………… 6.0% lens opacity
6.Dermatological disorders ………………………… 5.9% 9. Respiratory disturbances Pulmonary emphysema, Chronic interstitial
pneumonia, etc.
7.Other diseases Osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis of the spine,
(pneumonia, diabetes, urinary disorders, etc.)… 19.4% 10. Motor disturbances Osteoporosis, etc.
11. Gastrointestinal disturbances Gastric ulcer, Duodenal ulcer, etc.
due to ulcers
(5) Health Those exposed and also the fetuses of those who were pregnant at that
Allowance time, less than 2km from hypocenter at time of A-bomb. However, a person
Circulatory who corresponds to any of the following among the people above can
Other diseases receive a higher amount of the allowance.
system
1. People who have had physical disorders specified under the ordinance
by Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare.
2 People over 70 years old who don't have a spouse or any children or
A combined grand children, and also are living alone.
Dermatologic total of 2,870
disorders - Those A-bomb survivors who need nursing care because of mental or
diseases among (6) Nursing Aid physical disorders specified under the ordinance by Ministry of Health,
Ophthalmic 300 residents Digestive Labor, and Welfare, and have received nursing care.
disorders Allowance
system - (When people who have received special disability allowances specified
under the law concerning special child-care allowance receive the nursing
Bone and allowance, provision of the special disability allowance is controlled.
joint disorders - When expenses for nursing care have paid.
Severe dementia, - When expenses for nursing care have not paid (only for severely disabled
persons)
insomnia

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National Budget for A-bomb

Q31 What about hospital payments? Q31-2 Survivors

A: The medical examination for A-bomb survivors is very important, because it can
help them find a disease at an early stage. We receive notification saying that
survivors should have a medical examination as soon as possible, and the national
About 150 billion yen has been allotted for support measures for A-bomb survivors.
The amount of the expenditure has increased year by year, however, since 1998 the
trend is toward a reduction in these funds. Sixty seven percent of the budget has been
government pays all of the expenses for the medical checkup. This system began in spent on Special Medical Care, Health Management, and Nursing Aid Allowances.
1957. Indeed, there are many cases of a disease being found among survivors at an Twenty six percent of the budget for medical treatment has been paid to medical
early stage through the medical checkup. This is important because the sooner you find institutions when A-bomb survivors had a disease and received medical treatment.
disease the easier it is to treat. The remaining 7% has been expended for health and welfare programs (nursing-care
When we get a disease, we can go to hospitals designated by the national insurance, assistance programs to enable A-bomb survivors living overseas to visit
government and the hospitals charge the government for the medical expenses of Japan, and other programs), research and investigation (mainly subsidies for the
survivors. They can charge for both out-patient treatment and regular hospitalization. Radiation Effects Research Foundation), and healthcare programs for the elderly.
Prefectures other than Hiroshima and Nagasaki have few hospitals designated by the  The upper chart below shows the budget by year and the lower chart shows the
national government to do this. If we have a medical examination at a hospital that is breakdown of the fiscal 2004 budget.
not designated by the government, we have to pay for the medical expense by
ourselves on a temporary basis. After that we can go through a procedure to ask the Budget by Fiscal Year for A-bomb Survivor Support
government to pay us back. I understand that the survivors who are not living in (100 million yen)
Hiroshima and Nagasaki can have a hard time traveling to designated hospitals and 2,000
paying their medical expenses even though it is a temporary inconvenience. For this
reason I feel grateful to be in Hiroshima.
1,500
The picture below on the left is the cover page of the A-bomb Survivor Health

Budget amount
Book, and the one on the right is of a page with the results of a general medical checkup.
1,000

500

0
1961, 1965, 1969, 1973, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2004

Budget Breakdown for Fiscal 2004

Subsidy to promote elderly healthcare 1.3%
Research and Expense to console
investigation 2.3% A-bomb victims
Health and 0.5%
welfare programs
2.9%

Medical
expenses
26% 150 billion
yen
Various
allowances
67%
The A-bomb Survivor Health Book is granted to survivors who have two witnesses that can certify one was
exposed to either of the atomic bombs. The Health Book provides for regular examinations, various
allowances, and other medical benefits.

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What Level of Radiation Are We 　　
Exposed to from an X-ray Medical　
Q32 Can survivors have X-rays? Q32-2 Examination?

A: Well, I don’t want to have anything that does more damage to the genes, but those
tests can help doctors find the presence of disease or cancer even before we are
aware of something being wrong. If cancer can be found through a full examination with
Radiation, including X-rays, is used in the medical field for diagnostic purposes. These
days it is widely accepted that the level of radiation exposure is 0.06 millisievert (mSv)
for each chest X-ray and 4 to 7 mSv for a computerized tomography examination,
the proper equipment– even though it uses radiation– we can receive medical treatment although it varies according to the type of device or method which is used for the
at an early stage, and that early intervention could save one’s life. I think it is worth having examination. (Please refer to Q33.)
it even if the radiation could further damage the genes. Radiation is also utilized in general examinations of the stomach. We are exposed
On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to take that sort of test unless it was absolutely to radiation when we have these examinations and the level of radiation exposure from
necessary and strongly recommended by a doctor. each stomach examination is 10 times as much as from an X-ray of the chest. It is very
An examination using radiation should be accepted only when the information unusual for people under 40 years old to develop stomach cancer, so it is not
obtained by the examination to evaluate the disease is much more essential than the recommended for people without symptoms to have stomach examinations every year.
adverse effects of radiation. This problem is illustrated in the picture below. The table below shows the level of radiation exposure from medical examinations
using X-rays in Japan.

Which is the lesser

of two evils?

A MRI figure
Side-effects of radiation
(Loss) Level of Radiation Exposure from Medical Exams in Japan
(Effective dose equivalent)
Medical Examination Type of medical exam Level of radiation exposure
(Gain) (mSv/times)
X-ray of the chest 0.06
Chest 6.9
Computerized tomography exam
Abdomen 4 to 7
General exam for tuberculosis and lung cancer 0.05
General exam of the stomach 0.6
Source: T. Maruyama, et al: Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Vol. 43 No. 1/4 213-216 (1992)
T. Maruyama: Life and Radiation, National Institute of Radiological Sciences Environmental
Seminar series No. 22 (1995)(in Japanese)

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Does everyone receive radiation in

Q33 daily life? Q33-2 Radiation Is Used in Many Fields
A: Yes, they do. One kind occurs naturally and the other is man-made. Natural
radiation includes cosmic and gamma rays which are emitted from natural
radioactive materials into the body, or found naturally on the earth. As for cosmic rays,
Medical field:
In the diagnosis of diseases, various types of radiation are used for chest and
stomach radiographic examinations that are performed in regular health
if we take an airplane on a round trip between Tokyo and New York, we receive the checkups. Also they are used for detailed computerized tomography exams of
same amount of radiation as the total amount of radiation received from four chest various parts of the body and contrast studies of the brain, heart, liver, and other
X-ray examinations. Man-made radiation includes gamma rays emitted from scattered organs. In the treatment of diseases, irradiation by X-ray, gamma rays of cobalt
radioactive materials in the air by the atomic and hydrogen bomb tests conducted 60, and heavy particles are applied widely to cancers in various parts of the
before. It also includes radiation that is used for medical examinations (X-rays and body. Gamma rays are also used for sterilization of medical equipment.
gamma rays). We are all exposed to various amounts of radiation. The picture below Science and engineering fields:
shows radiation related materials.
The permissible radiation exposure limit is one millisievert (mSv) each year of - Sulfur is added to natural rubber latex and irradiated to make resilient rubber.
one’s life. It refers to the maximum permissible dose of radiation one is naturally This process produces thin and strong rubber gloves, contraceptives, and
exposed to. One mSv of radiation exposure cannot cause any disease. We are other useful daily commodities.
exposed to less than three mSv per year even when we don’t have any X-rays or - When silicon is exposed to neutrons, its electrical conductivity is improved
overseas trips by airplane. creating superior silicon for semiconductors. It has excellent uniformity for
electric resistance and can be used widely in the field of household appliances.
- Exposing high-molecular silicon to electrons in the manufacturing process
Radiation in daily life creates a fiber with a high quality electrical insulation and heat resistance.
The material is used for the exterior walls of space ships and for a wide
Natural radiation Effective dose Man-made radiation
equivalence range of daily commodities as well.
(mSv) - Automobiles are manufactured with about 30,000 parts. Radiation is used in
Natural radiation
in Guarapari, extremely effective ways in the process, such as for producing radial tires,
Brazil (one year) heat-resisting electrical wires, and abrasion and friction tests.
Diagnosis by chest X-ray computed tomography Agricultural field:
(CT scan) Radiation is used for strain improvement in agricultural crops, disease and pest
From the cosmos 0.38
Permissible radiation dose for control, and sterilization of food. It can be also utilized to control budding of
general public (per year)
From the earth 0.46 excluding radiation from potatoes so that they can be stored for a long time period.
From the human body 1.54 medical treatment
As you can see, radiation is closely and widely related to our lives in every aspect
Natural radiation per person (per year)
*world average including clothing, food, and housing, either directly or indirectly. The photos below
Kanagawa show some examples of its utility. (Source: ATOMICA,30) atomic energy encyclopedia)
Radiation use in the Radiation use in agriculture,
engineering field forestry and fisheries
Gifu Stomach radiography
Differences in natural radiation in Japan (per year) (one time)
*The biggest difference in average value
by prefecture
Black spot resistant pears
Silicon fiber Medical gloves

Maximum permissible levels of radiation

in areas surrounding light-water nuclear power plants
Air travel between Tokyo and New York (round-trip) (per year)
*Increasing level of cosmic radiation by altitude

From the UN Scientific Committee report in 1993/ National Institute of Radiological Sciences
Air filter Radial tires Variation in flower color
(From the Title List of ATOMICA)
Source: Title List of ATOMICA
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What was the Atomic Bomb Dome Designation as a World

Q34 used for before the A-bombing? Q34-2 Heritage Site

A: Before the bombing the building was called the “Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial
Promotion Hall,” and was used to promote the export of regional specialty
products from Hiroshima prefecture to areas across Asia, such as Dalian, or present
It took a long time before the Atomic Bomb Dome was designated as a World Heritage
Site. First of all, there was a discussion about whether the Dome should be preserved
at all. Also, even though the Dome was included in the design concept of Peace Park,
day Shanghai. The building was built in 1915 as the “Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial the Hiroshima City and Prefecture governments had not determined their direction
Exhibition Hall,” and it attracted many sightseers because of its European style design. concerning the Dome. In June 1958, the national government expressed its opinion
The building began to be called the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall regarding preservation. In 1964, a council composed of survivors began a campaign for
from 1933 and was used as a museum for art shows and other expositions. the “Preservation of the Dome.”
The atomic bomb exploded almost directly over the building and because of that it In January 1965, the Hiroshima Paper Cranes Association submitted a petition, which
was able to withstand the blast. Everything at an angle to the force of the explosion included many people’s signatures and donations collected through their fund-raising
was knocked over. activities, to the mayor of Hiroshima calling for the preservation of the Dome. After that,
People started to call it the “A-bomb Dome" around 1953. In 1966 a nationwide the Hiroshima Tourist Association also urged preservation of the Dome, and it led to a
fund-raising campaign was begun to raise money for reinforcement work to ensure its bigger campaign for the preservation involving the Hiroshima mayor. In response, the
preservation. In 1967 the first reinforcement work was completed. Since then, Hiroshima City government decided to collect donations for expenses for preservation
reinforcement work has been done twice. work in 1966.
At present it is registered as a World Heritage Site. I hope the building will always The preservation work (first reinforcement) was completed in August 1967 using
be used as a reminder of the horrors of war. the donations to reinforce the building. Because damage to the Dome appeared again
20 years after the first reinforcement, the Hiroshima City government decided in 1987
to conduct a second reinforcement and asked for donations again for the permanent
preservation of the Dome. Many people throughout Japan and the world responded to
the appeal and about 400 million yen, far beyond the target of 100 million yen, was
collected. The reinforcing work (second reinforcement) was completed in April 1990
costing a total of 200 million yen.
The movement toward designating the Dome as a World Heritage Site began in
1986. The Japan Society for Archaeology and the Hiroshima Paper Cranes
Association began a petition drive toward designating it as a special historical site. On
the occasion of Japan ratifying the Convention concerning the Protection of World
Industrial Promotion Hall before the
Cultural and Natural Heritage, in 1992, Hiroshima City submitted an “Opinion Paper
A-bombing (provided from US Forces) Seeking Registration on the World Heritage List for the A-bomb Dome.” The petition
was adopted by the House of Councilors and then by the House of Representatives in
1994. However, the Dome first had to be designated as a National Cultural Asset or
Historical Site. Following submission of the application for designation as a historical
site in March 1995, the Dome was designated as a Japanese Historical Site in June of
the same year. This led to the national government’s formal submission to UNESCO
for its nomination of the Dome for registry on the World Heritage list. As a result of
these efforts, the Dome was registered in December 1996 as a symbol of the “vow to
seek the abolition of nuclear weapons and bring peace to humankind.”
A major point of difference between the Dome and the other World Heritage Sites is
that the Dome gives us a serious warning of what could happen in the future besides
witnessing what happened in the past. The registration of the A-bomb Dome as a
After the A-bombing (provided from US
Forces) World Heritage Site conveys this strong message to people all over the world.

World Heritage: Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage adopted by the
General Conference of the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in 1972. National government’s opinion: “The A-bomb Dome, in which the tragedy of war has been engraved, should be
Universal and worthwhile natural and cultural heritage sites in member countries are registered on never removed. It should be redesigned as a principal axis of Peace Park and be preserved
the World Heritage List by UNESCO permanently.”

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Do any other A-bombed buildings Preservation of A-bombed

Q35 remain besides the Dome? Q35-2 Buildings

A: There were many A-bombed buildings before, but only a few now. Two examples
of buildings that remain in whole are the former Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch
(380 meters away from the hypocenter) and the main building of the former Hiroshima
In a surviving record, it is said that about 140 ferro-concrete buildings were in
Hiroshima. Among those buildings, about 40 collapsed from the bombing and 40 were
repaired after the bombing, but were torn down 10 to 30 years later. Regarding the
University, Faculty of Science (1,420 meters away from the hypocenter). other 40 bombed buildings, most of each building was rebuilt keeping one or more of
The Bank of Japan building was built in 1936 and both its external and internal the remaining parts without changing their appearance.
appearances were very uncommon at that time because of their Grecian and Roman The A-bomb Dome speaks loudly, as a symbol of peace, of the hollowness of war and
styles. The blast and radiation was blocked out on the first and second floors because the preciousness of peace to overseas visitors and to students who come to Hiroshima
all of the windows were shuttered. The third floor was severely damaged, however, on school excursions. It is of great significance. On the other hand, the former Bank of
because the windows were open. As of 1972 twenty people who were inside the Japan, Hiroshima branch, has been used for events such as fine art, music, literature,
building during the bombing had managed to survive. Six of those twenty people are drama, and others as a place to express the importance of lasting world peace. It has
still alive. We can only guess that the well-built building was able to shut out the been a precious place where citizens can come in contact with an A-bombed building.
radiation. Major buildings which were exposed to the bomb within one kilometer are listed in
  The building was repaired and extended twice from 1945 to 1948 and from 1969 the table below.31) Besides these, there are still over 10 buildings that were exposed
to 1970. Since 2000, many peace and A-bomb related events have been held in the to the bomb beyond one kilometer. It is important to create an environment where
building under the control and management of the Hiroshima city government. those buildings can be preserved as long as possible so that their bomb stories can be
conveyed to future generations.

Major Buildings within a Kilometer of the Hypocenter

Pre-bomb name Distance from Post-bomb name Survivor
hypocenter number
(date of construction) (km) (remarks) as of 1972
Fuel Hall 0.17 Rest House in Peace Park (September 1982) 1
(March 1929) (Only the basement has been preserved.)

Imperial Bank Hiroshima Branch 0.36 Hiroshima Andersen (April 1967) 0

(February 1925) (Basically it was rebuilt but has been partially preserved.)

Bank of Japan, Hiroshima Branch Transfer of control and maintenance of the building
0.38 to Hiroshima city government (June 2000) 20
(August 1936) (It was repaired and the building has been preserved.)
Honkawa National School building Peace Museum (April 1988)
0.41 Only some parts of the building (basement and a part of the 2
(July 1928) first floor) have been preserved.
Fukuromachi National School 0.46 Fukuromachi Elementary School 4
Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch built in 1936 Bank of Japan Hiroshima Branch immediately after (January 1937)
(provided by US Forces) the A-bombing (provided by US Forces) Fukuya Department Store The building was repaired and extended (The exterior appearance
0.71 of the present building has retained some aspects of the building
(March 1938) before the A-bombing).

Inside a room on the third floor. This room was Bank of Japan, Hiroshima Branch, at present
heavily damaged because all the windows were Rest House in Peace Park (Former Fuel Hall) Former Hiroshima University, Faculty of Science,
open (provided by US Forces) Basement BLDG 1, 1,420m from hypocenter
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When was the Cenotaph for the Historical Changes in the Peace
Q36 A-bomb Victims built? Q36-2 Memorial Ceremony

A: The official name of the cenotaph is the Memorial Monument for Hiroshima, City
of Peace. It was unveiled on August 6, 1952. The arch-shaped cenotaph was
built based on a design by Isamu Noguchi and Kenzo Tange, who were also involved
The Hiroshima City government has hosted the Peace Memorial Ceremony every
year, except 1950, to console the souls of the A-bomb victims who died on that day or
later from its effects. The ceremony was suddenly canceled in 1950 because the
in the design and establishment of the facilities in Peace Memorial Park. Korean War broke out. The ceremony has been held in front of the Cenotaph for the
The Peace Memorial Ceremony is held every August Sixth in front of the A-bomb Victims every year since 1952 when it was built.
monument and the register of the A-bomb victims is kept inside the arch-shaped Comparing the programs of the ceremonies in 1952 to that in 2004, it is impressive
cenotaph. Every year the names of A-bomb survivors who died during the year are that the program in 1952 clearly reflects the state of affairs after the A-bomb and the
entered into the register and during the ceremony they are dedicated to the cenotaph. end of the war through the unveiling of the Cenotaph by A-bomb orphans, offering
The names of over 5,000 A-bomb victims were added to the register in 2004. At incense to A-bomb victims, and an address by the commander of the British Allied
present, there are 83 books with just under 240,000 names of A-bomb victims. Forces. It also seems obvious that the program for the ceremony in 1952 has been a
The characters meaning “Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not prototype for subsequent ceremonies.
repeat this evil” are carved on the front of the stone coffin in the cenotaph. You can see
the cenotaph, the A-bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial Museum in alignment.
When you pray in front of the cenotaph, you can see the A-bomb Dome through it. It
serves as a visual reminder that the use of atomic bombs can cause catastrophic
Peace Memorial Ceremony Program
damage. Year 1952 2004
Date August 6 August 6
Time 8:00~9:00 8:00~8:45
Official name Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
Program Opening Address Opening Address
Unveiling of the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims Dedication of the Register of the Names of the
by five A-bomb exposed orphans Fallen Atomic Bomb Victims by the Mayor of
Hiroshima and representatives of the bereaved
Dedication of the Register of the Names of the Dead families
by Mayor of Hiroshima
Offering incense to A-bomb Victims by
two A-bomb exposed orphans
Address by Address by
Chairperson of Hiroshima City Council Chairperson of Hiroshima City Council
Dedication of Flowers by
Mayor of Hiroshima
Chairperson of Hiroshima City Council
Representatives of the bereaved families and children
Representatives of the atomic bomb survivors
Distinguished guests
Silent Prayer and Peace Bell Silent Prayer and Peace Bell
Peace Declaration by Peace Declaration by
Mayor of Hiroshima Mayor of Hiroshima
Release of Doves Release of Doves
Commitment to Peace by
Children's representatives
These characters carved on the front of the stone Addresses by Addresses by
coffin in the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims means Prime by Minister (acting prime minister) Prime Minister of Japan
“Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not Chairman of House of Representatives Governor of Hiroshima and
repeat this evil.” (acting chairman) Secretary General of the United Nations
Chairman of House of Councilors(acting chairman)
Governor of Hiroshima
Chairman of Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly
Commander of Kure Base of the
British Allied Forces
Chorus of Peace Song by Hiroshima Peace Song (chorus)
NHK Hiroshima Station Choir
The arch-shaped Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims
and the A-bomb Dome seen through the cenotaph. Closing Address Closing Address

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How many monuments are there in A Map of Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Q37 Peace Memorial Park? Q37-2 Park and its Surrounding Areas

A: Peace Memorial Park covers just over ten hectares in a trapezoid shape. The
A-bomb Dome is on the north side and the park is bordered by Peace Boulevard
on the south, the Honkawa River on the west, and the Motoyasu River on the east.
This is a guide map to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and its surrounding areas so that
readers can learn the park beforehand. Please refer to it. (Source: Hiroshima Convention
& Visitors Bureau; partially modified.)
The area of the park is just over one hundred thousand square meters, or about the
Guide to Peace Memorial Park and Environs
Children of the World Peace
size of ten baseball stadiums. The whole area around the hypocenter was developed Monument
Literary Monument Dedicated to
into Peace Park for the purpose of using it as a symbolical place to wish for ever- Hiroshima Castle (12-minutes walk) Miekichi Suzuki
Hiroshima Museum of Art (10-minutes walk) Hiroshima Municipal
lasting peace. Baseball Stadium
Monument to the Old Aioi Bridge
Monument to Those Who Died
In 1949, soon after the atomic bomb was dropped, a special law aimed at the Aioi-bashi from the Chugoku-Shikoku
Public Works Office
Bridge Genbaku Dome Mae
development of Hiroshima was established called the “Hiroshima Peace Memorial City streetcar stop Monument of the Hiroshima
District Lumber Control
Construction Law.” Because of this law many monuments have been made possible. Corporation
A-bomb Dome
Some of them are the Cenotaph for A-bomb Victims (1952), Peace Boulevard, known Monument to Tamiki Hara
Memorial Tower to the Mobilized
as the 100 Meter Road (1950), the Peace Memorial Museum (1952), and recently the River
Cruise Students
Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for Atomic Bomb Victims (2002). There are Route Hiroshima City Zero Milestone
Flower Clock
Hypocenter
about 50 monuments in Peace Memorial Park. (Please refer to the map on the right.) World (Shima Hospital)
Children's Peace Monument
Peace Cairn
A few of the main monuments in the guide map page are: A-bomb Dome (6), Heritage
Cruise
Peace Clock Tower
Memorial Tower for
Memorial Tower to the Mobilized Students (8), Children’s Peace Monument (11), Message Light A-bomb-related Victims
Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound
A Path of Light
Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound (15), Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of Motoyasu-bashi
Bridge and Eternal Peace Peace Bell
Stone Lantern of Peace
the A-bomb (18), Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims (47). You can apply in the Rest House River Monument in Memory of the
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (East Building) (41) to have volunteer staff Honkawa River (Tourist Information,
souvenir shop)
Cruise Gate Korean Victims of the A-bomb
A-bombed Gravestone
explain the monuments and the A-bomb. (Ote-machi
Daiichi Park)
Peace Fountain
The Figure of the Merciful
Goddess of Peace
Night Watch Lamp
Monument for the Volunteer
Army Corps
Hiroshima Second Middle
Honkawa-bashi Motoyasu-gawa School A-bomb Memorial
Bridge River Monument
International Conference Center
Hiroshima
Memorial Monument for the
Hiroshima Municipal
Commercial and Shipbuilding
Industry Schools
Statue of Merciful Mother
Monument of the A-bombed
Teachers and Students of
National Elementary Schools
Statue of Peace“New
Leaves”(Dr. Hideki Yukawa
Heiwa-ohashi Monument)
Nishi-heiwa-ohashi Bridge
Bridge Friendship Monument
Peace Boulevard Monument to the Former South
Tenjin-machi Area
A-bomb Monument of the
to Miyajima Heiwa Kinen Koen bus stop Hiroshima Municipal Girl's High

School Phoenix Trees Exposed to the A-bomb Office

Monument in Memory of Dr. Marcel Junod Monument of “Zensonpo” (All Japan Casualty Prayer Monument for Peace
Monument in Memory of Mr. Norman Cousins Insurance Labor Union) Monument Dedicated to Construction Workers and
Clock Commemorating the Repatriation of Those Monument Dedicated to Sankichi Toge Artisans
Who Chose to Return to the Democratic People's Monument to the Former Zaimoku-cho Prayer Haiku Monument for Peace
Republic of Korea Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims (Memorial Hiroshima Monument for the A-bomb Victims
Peace Memorial Post Monument for Hiroshima, City of Peace) Monument to the Employees of the Coal
Peace Tower Statue of a Prayer for Peace Control-related Company
Statue of Mother and Child in the Storm Linden Tree Monument Monument of the Hiroshima Gas Corporation
Fountain of Prayer Flame of Peace Monument for the A-bomb Victims from the
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (West Monument of Prayer Hiroshima Agricultural Association
Building) Pond of Peace Hair Monument
Monument of the Former North Tenjin-machi Area Merciful Consoling Kannon for Mobilized A-bomb
Monument in Memory of the Korean Victims of the Memorial Tower to the Mobilized Students Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (East
Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Victim-Students
Building)
A-bomb Monument Commemorating Pope John Paul II's Atomic Bomb Victims
Appeal for Peace Monument to the Employees of the Hiroshima Post

82 ● ● 83
A Guide Map to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Its Surrounding Are
174 Guide to Peace Memorial Park and Environs
 Contents

Are there trees damaged by the

Q38 bomb that still survive? Q38-2 Surviving Trees
A: Yes, it’s true. The fire caused by the bomb and the explosion itself knocked over
and burned many trees. Yet we found that many trees among the fallen put forth
new buds or managed to survive and produce leaves again despite the shock and fire. It
Now about 150 A-bombed trees of 31 types exist in Hiroshima. Those trees
designated as A-bombed have yellow explanation boards, so that you can find them
easily. When you pass nearby the trees, please speak to them saying “thank you for
is said that plants are ten times more resistant to radiation than animals. surviving the A-bombing.”
Ten years ago the Hiroshima city government decided to designate the A-bombed Only 20 A-bombed trees are listed in order of distance from the hypocenter in the
trees as symbols of reconstruction and took steps to preserve them. At present, there are table below. (For details, please refer to the Internet website of Hiroshima City
about 150 trees in 52 places within two kilometers of the hypocenter that have been government http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/ or Referense31)
designated as A-bomb trees. However, about fifty trees among them have become much
weaker and they need special care. At the time of the bombing, there was a rumor that
nothing would grow in Hiroshima for 75 years, but the sight of the damaged and fallen
trees putting forth new buds kindled hope in the hearts of citizens in Hiroshima and Existing A-bombed Trees (excerpt)
encouraged them. I hope those A-bombed trees32) will live well and long. I recommend you Distance from
read the story about the A-bombed phoenix trees and learn to sing the song about them. Name of Tree Location Hypocenter
(km)
Address

1 Weeping willow West of Hiroshima Youth Center 0.37 14 Moto-machi Naka-ku

2 Round leaf holly Rai Sanyo Shiseki Museum 0.41 5-14 Fukuro-machi Naka-ku

3 Weeping willow East of Hiroshima Children's Museum 0.45 5 Moto-machi Naka-ku

4 Camphor Tree Shirakamisha Shrine 0.49 7-24 Naka-machi Naka-ku
and Camellia
5 Japanese Hackberry In front of Shirakamisha Shrine 0.53 Peace Boulevard, Komachi Naka-ku

6 Elaeagnus Seijuji Temple 0.53 2-5-13 Honkawa-cho Naka-ku

7 Eucalyptus Ninomaru of Hiroshima Castle 0.74 21 Moto-machi Naka-ku

8 Camphor tree Chuo (Central) Park Jiyuhiroba 0.76 15 Moto-machi Naka-ku

9 Japanese Jyoonji Temple 0.79 3-10-4 Ote-machi Naka-ku
Fern Palm
Oleaster tree in Seijyuji Temple, 530 meters away from the Phoenix tree that was exposed to the A-bomb 10 Peony Honkyoji Temple 0.89 3-13-11 Ote-machi Naka-ku
hypocenter 1,300 meters from the hypocenter and later
transplanted to Peace Memorial Park. 11 Round leaf holly In Hiroshima Castle 0.91 21 Moto-machi Naka-ku

12 Round leaf holly Kinryuji Temple 0.94 9-27 Komachi Naka-ku

West of Hiroshima Municipal Moto-machi 1.01
13 Camphor tree Apartment No.1
16 Moto-machi Naka-ku
14 Prunus yedoensis 1.05 1-6-34 Kokutaiji-cho Naka-ku
(Someiyoshino) Hiroshima City Hall

15 Crape Myrtle Zenshoji Temple 1.10 3-11 Tera-machi Naka-ku

16 Camphor tree Moto-machi Koso (high-rise) apartment 1.11 20 Moto-machi Naka-ku

17 Camphor tree South of moat in Hiroshima Castle 1.12 21 Moto-machi Naka-ku

18 Camphor tree In front of Saibansho (Court) apartment 1.12 2 Kami-hacchobori Naka-ku

19 Maidenhair Tree Hosenbo 1.13 3-3 Tera-machi Naka-ku

20 Japanese Hiroshima Betsuin Temple 1.15 1-19 Tera-machi Naka-ku

Fern Palm
Camphor tree at the Tenma Elementary School Cherry tree at the Ikari Shrine, 1,800 meters from
located 1,160 meters from the hypocenter the hypocenter

84 ● ● 85
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Are the A-bombed buildings and trees

Q39 the only things that still remain? Q39-2 Excavation of Victims' Remains
A: There are some surprises for you. There are four streetcars, which still serve
Hiroshima commuters.
At the time of the A-bombing, 92 streetcars were operating and most of them were
Discovering the remains of the deceased is a sad fact which continues to this day. At
the time of the bombing, many injured people were taken to Ujina to have medical
treatment; however, the place was very soon filled with about 6,000 injured people.
burned and crushed in an instant. Although 31 streetcars were in the car barn, most of Others were carried to Ninoshima Island, 4 kilometers off the coast of Ujina, because a
them were destroyed as well. The A-bombed streetcars which are still operating were military related quarantine was located on the island at that time. It is said that the total
manufactured three years before the attack. Two streetcars, No.653 and No.654, were number of injured people was about 10 thousand.
running in the area of Eba (2.9km away from the hypocenter), and No.651 streetcar The Hiroshima City government collected the remains of the deceased that had
was running near Hiroshima City Hall (1km away), and No.652 streetcar was running been left on Ninoshima Island. It is easy to imagine how many remains were collected.
in the Ujina area (4.2km away). They were enshrined in a mound for the unidentified victims while the total number
 All of them were damaged during operation; however, the staff of the streetcar remains unclear.
company at the time worked very hard to repair them and they enabled the A-bombed The remains of 2,000 bodies were discovered in 1955. These remains were stored
streetcars to operate again only three days after the A-bombing. Even though they in the Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound in Peace Memorial Park. Excavation work was
could only operate in limited sections of the track, the sight of the streetcars running conducted in 1971, with the help of memories and experience reports from the local
encouraged everyone. There are four A-bombed streetcars still running everyday people, and the remains of 617 dead bodies were discovered. A third excavation
during rush-hour in the morning and evening, so you might have a chance to ride project was conducted in May 2004, which recovered the remains of 87 more bodies.
them. A plaque with a brief explanation of the A-bomb is just behind the driver’s  Even now scars from the A-bomb can been seen, though 59 years have already
platform in each streetcar, so you should read it after you get on. passed. At that time, many fathers and mothers walked about, here and there, to search
for their children. Even though some of them found that their children were injured and
taken to Ninoshima Island, they couldn’t meet them and couldn’t even receive their
remains. How do these people view the discovery of remains 59 years after the A-bomb?

This A-bombed streetcar

is still operating.

Ninoshima Island
A plaque with a brief explanation behind
the driver’s platform in the streetcar
86 ● ● 87
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The number of A-bomb survivors is The Study of A-bomb Survivors

Q40 going to decrease, right? Q40-2 Contributes to International Society

A: Yes, I think so. Some of my relatives and friends, even those who are younger
than me, have passed away. It makes me sad.
About 180,000 A-bomb survivors used to live in Hiroshima Prefecture 25 years ago,
The results of the studies on the continued effects of A-bomb radiation and the
experience of medical care for the survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which do not
exist in other countries, will always be valuable. These findings should be used to
but there are around 130,000 now. The number of survivors is going to continue to contribute to everlasting peace.
decrease and in 25 years (the year 2030), the number in Hiroshima Prefecture will Some data concerning Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been already utilized in
probably be in the thousands. international organizations, such as ICRP (International Commission on Radiological
I truly hope that, even after the survivors are gone, people around the world will Protection), in setting standards for the prevention of radiation hazards. In addition, the
share the spirit in which no one forgets Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I also hope they will research methods used in the study of A-bomb survivors including epidemiology to
strengthen their desire for peace, eliminate nuclear arms, and always strive to live in determine incidence of cancer, etc., physical dosimetry procedures, chromosome
harmony. analysis techniques, were applied to the study of residents exposed to the Chernobyl
The first graph below shows a population forecast of A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima nuclear reactor accident, the south Ural accident in Russia, the Semipalatinsk nuclear
and Nagasaki prefecture.33) The number in 2030 seems to decrease significantly. test site in Kazaphstan, etc.
The second graph shows the population both in Hiroshima and Nagasaki prefecture Furthermore, the realities of medical, social and man-made damage due to the
as of 2001. bomb have been providing significant rationale for global peace movements and
campaigns to support the reduction and disposal of nuclear weapons.
Still, the study of A-bomb survivors has not yet been completed. In order to ensure
Population Estimate of A-bomb Survivors the accuracy of lifetime incidence of cancer, epidemiologic studies have to be
in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
(ten thousands) thoroughly conducted for those who were exposed to the bomb at the age of 10 and
20 18.2 younger. The results will be useful as standards in radiation protection or control for
Hiroshima Prefecture
18 17.2
16.2 Nagasaki Prefecture everyday use in international society.
16
Population of Survivors

14
14.5
13.3
The photo on the lower left shows a book published by the International Physicians
12 11.0 for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW),34) which also covers the damage to
10.3
10
9.5
8.7
A-bomb survivors. The lower right is a book published by the Hiroshima International
8 7.5 7.8
Council for Health Care of the Radiation-Exposed (HICARE) which gathers data on
6 4.9 A-bomb effects on the human body.35)
4 3.1
2 0.1
1.9 0.0
0
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 (Year)

Present Population of Survivors

Population
Nationwide 293,000 Average Age
Hiroshima Prefecture/ City 133,000 / 88,000 70.1 years old
Nagasaki Prefecture / City 77,000 / 52,000 69.5 years old

Population: (March 31, 2001) Hiroshima Nagasaki

(ten thousands)
3.5 3.3
Number of Survivors

3 2.6
2.5
2.1
2 1.8 1.9 1.8
1.5
1.5 1.2
1.3
1.2
1.1 1.0
1
0.5 The damage to A-bomb survivors is written The A-bomb effects on the human body are
0.05
0 about in “War and Public Health” published put together in a book, published by the
by the International Physicians for the Hiroshima International Council for Health
Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW). Care of the Radiation-Exposed (HICARE).
88 ● ● 89
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Were the children of A-bomb Health Study of Children of A-bomb

Q41 survivors affected? Q41-2 Survivors (Second-Generation)

A: I didn’t have a chance to become a mother, but many A-bomb survivors were
very worried if there would be any abnormalities in their children.
Until twenty to thirty years after the bombing, there was a rumor that the bomb
After the discovery of X-rays in 1895 and their frequent use later, skin cancer or leukemia
came to be reported. Thereafter, this also raised concerns that radiation might affect the
children of “next generations” via germ cells (genetic effects). In fact, in 1927, H.J. Muller
affected the children of survivors. However, various research was conducted showing observed an increased incidence of mutations among drosophila exposed to X-rays and
that there were no abnormalities in children’s chromosomes, a higher frequency of proved that an increase of mutation in the next generation of drosophila occurred in
cancer, and no unusually high mutation rate. At least, no evidence of negative effects proportion to radiation dosage. In the following year, similar results were found in plants,
on children has been found so far. whose phenomenon was thought to apply to living organisms in general.
The second generation of A-bomb survivors means the children who were born from
those who were exposed to the bomb. If these children have genetic effects, it could be
possible only when the “germ cells” of their father or mother are damaged by radiation. In
Q21-2, it is explained that lymphocyte or bone-marrow cells of the survivors have
chromosomal abnormalities, but these cells are “somatic cells,” not “germ cells.” Even
when “somatic cells” have abnormalities, it will have nothing to do with inheritance as long
as “germ cells” are normal.
 As the table in Q41 indicates, the children of A-bomb survivors were tested in terms of
chromosome and protein, but no evidence of effects on the children has been found so
far.9) Some research was conducted to study the effects on children of those who were
exposed to radiation due to medical treatment, those who deal with radiation in their jobs,
or those who live in the areas where high levels of natural radiation are emitted such as in
Brazil and India. However, there is no proof to show genetic effects.
Recent molecular biology and studies of genetics suggest that multiple genes are
related to people’s diseases (multiple gene factor). The Radiation Effects Research
Foundation (RERF) started a large scale study for the second-generation children of
A-bomb survivors in 2001. The planned participants for this study were around 24,000
An example of genetic examination Hiroshima residents, but the actual number
was around 11,000. Their lifestyle habits
and health checkups will be examined in
Survey of Genetic Effects for the Survivors detail from now on, and the research is
in Hiroshima and Nagasaki finally planned to advance the level of the Radiation
Survey Items Number Surveyed Genetic Effect study of genetics (molecular biological
somatic
Abnormal Pregnancy study.) Cancer
cells
71,280 people None
(malformation, stillbirth,death just after birth) The figure on the right shows the
Change in ratio of male and female 47,624 None difference of effects on the next generation
Effect
between “somatic cells” and “germ cells.” on the next germ
Abnormal Chromosome 16,298 None generation cells

Incidence of Malignancy 72,000 Not found

Death Rate 68,000 Not found

Mutation Rate of Genes (Protein) 30,000 None

DNA Study 1,000 families To be decided

Germ cells: Male sperm and female eggs of living organisms, which produce
Mutation rate: A rate of inheritance of genes with characteristics different from the parents. offspring in order to maintain and perpetuate their species.

90 ● ● 91
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Practical Examples of
What can we do to stop the use of “Peace Study” by Junior and
Q42 atomic bombs? Q42-2 High School Students

A: Now you are getting to the crucial point. We are told “atomic bombs will never
be used again” but what can we do to ensure it doesn’t happen?
First, we have to preserve the historical fact that A-bombs were dropped on
A-bomb survivors are making an outcry: “We must not have anyone in any country
experience what we suffered. No more wars. Let’s make a peaceful world.”
The survivors are also expressing their feelings in different styles such as writing
Hiroshima and Nagasaki and mainly targeted civilians. They caused– and continue to books, making paintings, composing poems about their experience, getting together to
cause– severe hardships for the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. form human letters, walking in peace marches, running in peace relay races, holding
It is said that wise people always refer to history. For those who study history, the sit-ins, tying ribbons, giving testimony, etc.
facts that include why the A-bombs were used should be left on the record. Junior and high school students have been taking respectable actions. Here are
Next, we have to stop wars. No one drops an A-bomb all of a sudden. There might some examples. Everyone needs to think about what he or she can do and take
be a situation where an A-bomb is used due to disagreements between countries, but action.
whatever the case, we shouldn’t make war. Examples:
Today, about fifty wars killing more than 100 people break out in a year. Especially (1) An A-bomb drama based on the war was created and performed in the annual
the weak, like innocent children, lose their lives or get injured. So it is important for school festival. (By the first graders of Kaita junior high school students in
each one of us to make efforts to eliminate the causes of wars. Hiroshima Prefecture, 1979. See the photo on the upper leftat at bottom.)
We need to pay attention to these issues, such as to support poor countries, to (2) Erection of “The Cenotaph of Hiroshima”. (By the Peace Seminar of High School
become tolerant of different religions, not waste resources, nor waste food. There Students in Hiroshima Prefecture. In collaboration with high school students in
seem to be a lot of things even junior or high school students can do. When you grow Kansai and Kanto regions, 1982. See the upper right photo at bottom.)
up a little, please refer to some of the practical examples of “peace studies” on the (3) Circle round the A-Bomb Dome with peace ribbons. (By nationwide grass-roots
page on the right. peace movement groups, 1984. See the lower left photo at bottom. )
There is a global "Peace Watch" clock within the museum in Hiroshima Peace (4) Peace event planned and operated by high school students. (By students at
Memorial Park. The digital board displays 21,616 at the top, the number of days that Miyajima Industrial High School and Hatsukaichi-Nishi High School in
have passed since the A-bombing of Hiroshima. Below that shows the number of days Hiroshima, 2004.See the lower right photo at bottom. )
since the most recent nuclear test. The photograph below shows 138 days, which is
the number of days after the U.S.
conducted an underground sub-
critical nuclear test (a controversial
nuclear weapons test that is low
enough to not create critical mass of
fissile material) in Nevada. When you
look at this clock, I hope the lower
number on the board will have
increased.

(1) (Chugoku Shimbun, Nov. 10, 1979.) (2) (Chugoku Shimbun, Aug.5, 1982.)

The “Peace Watch” clock (3) (Chugoku Shimbun, Aug.4, 1984.) (4) (Chugoku Shimbun, Jul.19, 2004.)

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What are adults doing to seek “Nuclear-Weapon Free Zones”

Q43 peace? Q43-2 Declaration36)

A: They are doing a lot of things. A-bomb survivors are composing poems and
haiku about their experience at the time of the bombing, or joining campaigns for
nuclear disarmament.
There are already five international treaties for a “Nuclear Weapon Free Zones
Declaration” in the world, which promise (1) not to bring nuclear weapons into their
zones or not to transfer these weapons to other countries, and instead ask (2) not to
Some adults, who were not exposed to the A-bomb, are holding international threaten or attack their zones with nuclear weapons.
conferences to help decrease the number of countries which possess nuclear
weapons (Non-Proliferation Treaty). Some are also applying pressure on Russia and “Nuclear Weapon Free Zone” Declaration (Treaty) Signing and Effective Dates
the U.S. to have discussions in order to decrease their nuclear arsenals 1　Antarctic Treaty Dec. 1959 singed and effective (See No.1 in map)
(Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty).
On the other hand, others are making appeals to remind us of the preciousness of 2　Latin America and the Caribbean Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Feb. 1967 signed and effective (See No.2 in map)
peace by holding dramas or concerts, or promoting campaigns to oppose the 3　South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Aug. 1985 signed and effective (See No.3 in map)
possession and use of nuclear weapons (No-Nuke Movement) or joining peace-
4　Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Dec. 1995 signed and effective (See No.4 in map)
building campaigns (peace movement). Many groups from the grass roots level to
international organizations meet regularly to prepare and promote these campaigns. 5　African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Apr. 1996 signed, still-pending (See No.5 in map)
The Peace Memorial Ceremony is held every year on August Sixth in Hiroshima
and on August Ninth in Nagasaki. These ceremonies can be considered nation-wide One hundred thirteen countries out of 191 in the world are involved in these
events. The important thing is that campaigns and group activities should be treaties. More than 50% of the people on earth strongly wish for nuclear weapon free
conducted every year repeatedly. zones and side with these treaties. The conclusion of a nuclear free treaty in five
The IPPNW (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War), a Nobel countries in Central Asia has been in progress. Japan is located In Northeast Asia
Peace Prize laureate, and the World Conference for Mayors for Peace, a winner of the (Japan, Korea, North Korea, and China), where lots of efforts have been taken but
World Citizen Award, have been taking action for a long time in order to stop the use of unfortunately the talks do not seem to be progressing.
nuclear weapons. Please support their activities. The idea of “eliminating nuclear weapons” is an extension of the idea that Hiroshima
and Nagasaki should never be repeated again. 77% of cities and towns in Japan
declared their wish for a “Nuclear Free Government.” However, many residents do not
even know the fact of their cities’ nuclear free declaration. Students and members of
society, let’s think about how much the earth would lose if nuclear weapons were used.
Recall that today’s nuclear weapons have 3,300 times the power and energy
compared with Hiroshima’s bomb and after reflecting on what he or she has learned
so far, think what each person can do. One person’s power is small, but great power is
never to be generated unless one takes the first step.

A photo taken at the world congress of IPPNW in 2000 A photo taken at the World Conference for Mayors for
(Paris) Peace held in Hiroshima, (Material from Hiroshima 5 4
Peace Culture Foundation)
2
Nuclear disarmament: To abolish nuclear weapons.
NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty): See Q45-2 3
CTBT: The Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) prohibits both nuclear weapon test explosions and
nuclear explosions in all spaces, including outer space. In order to ensure the implementation of
this treaty provision, the CTBT organization was established along with a verification system. In
June 1996, the final draft was submitted to disarmament talks. In September the same year, the
draft adoption was sent to the United Nations General Assembly, where Japan signed and ratified
the treaty. However, due to some nations’ refusal, the treaty has not come into effect at the present
1
time. This treaty does not force current nuclear powers to abolish nuclear weapons.

94 ● ● 95
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Telling the Effects of the A-bomb
What can we do to make the world to the Next Generations-What Can
Q44 more peaceful? Q44-2 We Do?

A: You’ve made a very good point. It is important to think about what you can do. It is
not enough just to be aware of what you’ve heard from me and count it as
“knowledge.”
A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have “lived a life”, overcoming suffering,
economic, social and physical difficulties. With assistance from various people, the
survivors have been joining campaigns, under risk to their lives, for “prevention of
   Peace does not come of itself. “Peace” simply means “No war.” A-bomb use” in order to stop a third A-bomb being used. They have been appealing
 Peace is created from the point where everybody understands and respects each with the feeling that “they do not want other people in any country to experience what
other’s viewpoints, actions, and ways of life and works together. For instance, even when they have suffered.”
you are young, you need to listen to what others say as well as learn how to express your The survivors’ movement shall be valued and considered to have borne fruit in part
own opinions. It is important to remember to not fight with your friends and be more in the sense that a third A-bomb has never been used. However, their bodies are
tolerant of people from different countries, races, and religions. completely exhausted. Some are concerned a second or third cancer will be found.
When you grow up you may have a chance to talk with people from foreign countries. The survivors have been involved in various campaigns because only Hiroshima and
Regardless of the differences in both countries’ culture, religion, or system of government, Nagasaki’s survivors can do this. Your turn is next. It is your turn to convey the
the feeling that you respect others is more important than anything else for making a message to the world – “How A-bomb survivors live and think and then take action.”
more peaceful world. The Japanese have played a very important part in history. They research and
If you were ignored, you would feel bad, right? You can start by respecting others from record in detail the A-bombs’ destructive power and what social breakdown is like.
now on. It would be useless if you didn’t act on this idea but just kept it in mind. Always do Long-lasting physical and psychological effects are thoroughly studied and the findings
your best on this point. are continuously being recorded. You, the reader, have learned various things about
The following letters are the impressions written by students who came to Hiroshima the effects of the A-bomb through this book.
for peace studies. It is you, the reader, who can tell many people how the A-bomb is cruel and abject,
and can work as a bridge for world peace. Transmitting survivors’ lives and effects of
the A-bomb are left to you.
Conveyance of peace and the A-bomb effects becomes possible through
individual, group, and international cooperation. Sharing hearts and minds is first
required to achieve this.

Action Plan for Achieving Peace

Survivors A-bomb related materials
Primary materials
(direct materials such as A-bomb Dome)
Secondary materials (records, music, drama, etc.)
Dear Tokiko-san,
Thank you very much for sharing your sad story with us
the other day. Listening to you speak, I could know how Sympathy Absorption Creation
fearful the war was and how much people suffered. I
had never imagined the horrors of war. I was especially
impressed by your not hating America which dropped
the A-bomb. You said you wanted to get along with
America, which I thought was right. I learned many
things from you. Because of the things I learned from Second Share Share Share
you, I will make the most out of every single day!! Greetings. Thank you so much for sharing your time so Generation Self
we could listen to survivors’ experiences the other day. Your friends Foreigners
(From a 15-year-old student in Gifu) Survivors
I will never forget my time spent with the elderly at
Nozomi-en Home. I was very impressed by the appeals
you made over and over again: “You must not make
war,” and “It is better to be poor than to be in a war.”  I
want to make efforts to never allow a war to start. Cooperation / Individual Action
September 13, 2004
(From a junior high school student in Tsuruoka City,
Yamagata Prefecture)
96 ● ● 97
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Thank you for sharing your Hiroshima and Japan’s Roles for
Q45 experience with me Q45-2 Building Peace

A: Is my talk enough? I hope you were able to learn something new. Keep in mind
that there are a lot of people with different circumstances in the world. Please
come back again when you grow up, though I may be gone by then.
Damage caused by the A-bomb was recognized in Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the first
time in history. Many residents of large areas in the world are also suffering radiation
damage due to accidents in the process of making bombs (Ural region in Soviet) or
nuclear tests to verify the bombs’ power. Still, the haves will not give up nuclear bombs.
Take care, and never forget the importance of peace. In 1970, five countries which had A & H bombs- the US, the UK, the USSR, France
and China signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The treaty designated these allied
five nations as nuclear powers and prohibited all other countries from possessing
nuclear weapons and the validity was set for 25 years. In 1995, the conference was
held to discuss “whether the treaty would be extended definitely or indefinitely.”
Being worried, the treaty was determined to be extended “indefinitely” in the UN
plenary session. However, with efforts and resistance by nonaligned countries and
no-nuke NGOs, “conditions” were added. Documents were adopted, which said that
“the Review Conferences of NPT” should be held every five years to consider whether
the treaty is adhered to properly and what needs to be done in the future.
Five years later, in April, 2000, “the Review Conference of NPT” was held, in which
the document of “The Clear Commitment to the Total Abolition of Nuclear Weapons”
was adopted, including the nuclear powers. The content remained ambiguous. The next
year, on September 11, 2001, the series of terrorist attacks in the US occurred. This
reversed progress and gradually allowed easy execution of nuclear tests or use of
nuclear weapons. It is Hiroshima and Nagasaki that know the most about the fear of
nuclear weapons. The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been holding “World
Conference of Mayors for Peace” since 1985. Already 1,036 cities in 112 countries have
become members.
  In May 2005, “the Review Conference of NPT” was organized. The “World
Conference of Mayors for Peace,” led by Mr. Akiba, mayor of Hiroshima, and Mr. Ito,
mayor of Nagasaki, appealed to all nations “to start negotiations for the total abolition of
nuclear weapons with a clear deadline” and
suggested action programs to eradicate nuclear
weapons by 2020. However, the disagreements
between the allied and nonaligned nations were
not ended and the conference closed with no
significant achievement. The characteristic of the
Review Conference of NPT itself – unanimous
voting – highlighted a problem.
As written in Q43, even when 113 countries claim
the total abolition of nuclear weapons, but make no
progress, Japan should not wait for the next
“Review Conference of NPT” in another 5 years but
should lead each city and each civic group in the
world, including movements outside the framework
of the “Review Conference of NPT,” and make
efforts to abolish nuclear weapons. The role of the
“World Conference of Mayors for Peace” has
become more and more important for the future.
98 ● ● 99
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Resaurce Materials References

Radiation dose
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  2. Kamada,N:Research on Late Effect of Japanese)
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and vascular 1500 Gene(s)..Hiroshima Med.J 41:440,1988(In 29. Sekine,I. Et al:Incidence of Double Cancers
disease has 1300 Acute radiation disease Japanese) among Nagasaki A-bomb Survivors and
increased (203 people) 11. Yamazaki,JN.et.al: Outcome of Pregnancy in Rearrangement of RET gene in Papillomatous
1000 Women Exposed to the Atomic Bomb in Thyroid Cancer. Reports on Atomic-bomb
Nagasaki.Amer.J.Dis.Child .87:448,1954(In Disease,2004:27,2004(In Japanese)
Japanese) 30. Research Organization for Information Science
The dose of the woman 12. Miller RW. : Delayed Effects Occuriring within & Technology. Encyclopedia ANATOMICA
Q11 who told the story the First Decade after Exposure of Young home page,http://mext-atom.jst.go.jp/atomica.
in this book was 1,300mSv. Individuals to the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb . html (In Japanese)
Pediatrics 18:1,1956 31. Hiroshima City. Architectural Witnesses to the
13. Belsky,J.L.et al:Adult Stature in Relation to Atomic Bombing-A Record for the Future,
500 Childhood Exposure to the Atomic Bombs of 1996(In Japanese)
Hiroshima and Nagasaki,Amer. J. Public 32. Ookawa,E.:Phenix Tree, Put Forth Buds.Sinn-
Health,65:489,1975 Nihon Publishing Company,1992(In Japanese)
Dose of the workers involved 14. Yoshimoto,Y.et al: Risk of Cancer among in 33. Kamada,N.: Subjects and Prospects in Studies
170 utero Children Exposed to A-bomb Radiation. on Late Health Effects of Atomic Bomb
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in nuclear clean-ups in 1986
Lancet ii:665,1988 Radiation.Nagasaki Medical Journal,77:159,
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Survivor exposed at 1.8km Nagasaki A-bomb in Early Stage. Report of the 34. War and Public Health. ed. by Levy R.S. Oxford
from the hypocenter 50 Dose of the workers involved 7th Meeting of The Late Effects of Atomic Bomb University Press.1997
30 in nuclear clean-ups in 1988 Radiation.P160,1965(In Japanese) 35. Effects of A-bomb Radiation on Human Body
16. Hirose,K .et al.: Radiation Cataract. Japanese Ed.by Shigematsu I et al.,translated by
10 Journal of Ophthalmology 54:449,1950(In Harrison,B, harwood academic publishers
Dose of natural
radiation (year) 2.4 1 See Q33
Japanese) ,Tokyo,1995
17. Masuda,S.:Clinical Research on Radiation 36. Home Page of Hiroshima City: Hiroshima
Cataract in Hiroshima. Report of the 7 th Peace Site http://www.pcf.hiroshima.jp/peace
Meeting of The Late Effects of Atomic Bomb site/Japanese/Stage2/S2-8j.html
Radiation.P189,1965(In Japanese) 37. Ohkita,T.:Acute Effects.J.Radiat.Res.,16
18. Doto,T.:Clinical and Experimental Research on (suppl.):49,1975
※1000mSv = 1 Sv Radiation-induced Cataract .Report of the 7 th 38. Nakamura, T.: Hiroshima and Nagasaki: books
Meeting of The late Effects of Atomic Bomb available in English, Hiroshima, Publication
Radiation.P192,1965(In Japanese) Center of the Chugoku Shimbun Newspaper,
2003

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Material Sources Suggested Reading List38)

Cover page: The U.S. Armed Forces, provided by Q34: From The U.S. Armed Forces Compiled by Tomoko Nakamura Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The Spirit of
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Q35: From The U.S. Armed Forces http://homepage2.nifty.com/tomokonet/ Hiroshima: An Introduction to the Atomic
Q2: The U.S. Armed Forces, provided by Prof. Q37-2: Partially modified from brieflet of Hiroshima Bomb Tragedy. Hiroshima Peace Memorial
N,Hayakawa, Hiroshima University Convension Beurou Among 446 English-language books concerning the Museum, 1999. The first official document
Q2-2: Partially modified Figure 3, page 13 from Q39-2: Chugoku Shimbun My 28,2004 destruction by A-bomb of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Architectural Witnesses to the Atomic Q41: Partially modified from the figure ,page 26 of listed by Tomoko Nakamura, 16 basic books are Museum.
Bombing-A Record for the Future Ref.9 introduced here. They are selected according to the Ibuse, Masuji. Black Rain. Tokyo: Kodansha
Q3: From The U.S. Armed Forces Q42-2: Chugoku Shimbun Nov.10,1979,August following criteria: availability, and reliability; i.e., the International, 1969. An award-winning
Q4: From The U.S. Armed Forces 5,1982,August 4,1984 and July 19,2004 books which have been reprinted with a large literary work.
Q5: Partially modified material from National Q43: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum circulation by major publishers, and read by many Kusano, Nobuo, compiled. Atomic Bomb Injuries.
Atomic Energy Safety Commission Q43-2: Ref.36 people, and those which report the facts about the Tokyo: Tsukiji Shokan, 1995. Detailed
Q7: From The U.S. Armed Forces atomic bombings comprehensively. medical records by a doctor who entered
Q7-2: The U.S. Armed Forces, reproduced from Hiroshima at the end of August 1945.
Medical Effects of Nagasaki A-Bomb by Akizuki, Tatsuichiro. Nagasaki 1945: The First Full- O’Donnell, Joe. Japan 1945, Images from the
Scientific Data Center for the Atomic Bomb length Eyewitness Account of the Atomic Trunk. Tokyo: Shogakukan, 1995. A
Disaster Nagasaki University School of Bomb Attack on Nagasaki. London: Quartet collection of photographs with bilingual
Medicine Nagasaki University Books, Limited, 1981. A document by a captions taken in Japan from September
Q8: From The U.S. Armed Forces doctor who treated the survivors in 1945, to March 1946, by a former sergeant
Q8-2: Chugoku Shimbun, Nov.11, 1946 and Nagasaki. of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Aug.1, 1954 Coer, Eleanor. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Lifton, Robert, J. Death in Life. New York: Random
Q9-2: From the Atomic Bomb Survivors Field Cranes. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, House, 1967. Pioneer studies of A-bomb
Survey Report 1995 (Survey of Survivors) 1977; Kyoto: Yamaguchi Shoten, 1984. A survivors by an American psychiatrist.
Q11-2: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum true story of a girl who survived the bombing Maruki, Toshi. The Hiroshima Story. London: Adam
Q12: From The U.S. Armed Forces but died of leukemia at age 12. and Charles Black, 1983. A picture book for
Q13: From The U.S. Armed Forces Committee for the Compilation of Materials on children.
Q13-2: From The U.S. Armed Forces Damage Caused by the Atomic Bombs in Nasu, Masamoto. Hiroshima: A Tragedy Never to
Q14: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Impact of the be Repeated. Tokyo: Fukuinkan Shoten,
Q14-2: Chugoku Shimbun April 8, 1956 and May 5, A-bomb. Tokyo:Iwanami Shoten Publishers, 1998. Includes diverse topics on the subject
1958 1985. Condensed, popular edition of such as basic scientific information on
Q17: Partially modified from Ref.9,pages 139 and Hiorshima and Nagasaki: The Physical, nuclear weapons and illnesses caused by
326 Medical and Social Effects of the Atomic radiation. Informative for both children and
Q18: Reproduced from Medical Effects of Bombings. Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten; New lay people.
Nagasaki A-Bomb by Scientific Data Center Yo r k : B a s i c B o o k s ; a n d L o n d o n : Minear, Richard H. Hiroshima: Three Witnesses.
for the Atomic Bomb Disaster Nagasaki Hutchinson, 1981. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1990.
University School of Medicine Nagasaki Hachiya, Michihiko. Hiroshima Diary: The Journal of English translations of three noted
University and modified from page 233 of a Japanese physician August 6. North Japanese novelists’ works.
Ref.9 Carolina: Chapel Hill Press, 1955. A record Osada, Arata, ed. Children of the A-bomb. Ann
Q18-2: Modified from page 309 of Ref.9 of the doctor’s account in the form of a diary. Arbor, MI: Midwest Publishers International,
Q20: From The U.S. Armed Forces Hersey, John. Hiroshima. New York: Alfred P. Knopf, 1982. 105 accounts by the children of
Q20-2: From The U.S. Armed Forces 1946. The first report by an American Hiroshima.
Q21-2: Modified from Figure 6,page 254 of Ref.9 journalist. The Japanese Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), ed.
Q26-2: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Hiroshima Internaional Council for Medical Care of Unforgettable Fire: Pictures drawn by
Q27-2: Modified Figure 2 ,page 392 of Ref.26 the Radiation-exposed, ed. A-Bomb Atomic Survivors. Tokyo: Nippon Hoso
Q28-2: Modified Figure 7,page 562 of Ref.27 Radiation Effects Digest. Tokyo: Bunkodo- Shuppan Kyokai, 1977; New York:
Q29-2: M odified Figure 1(page 34) and Figure Harwood Academic Publishers, 1993. A Pantheon Books, 1981; London: Wildwood
4(page 35) of Ref.29 compilation detailing all the findings on the House, 1981. A compilation of 104 hand-
Q33: Utility of radiation,Ref.30 effects of A-bomb radiation on the human drawn pictures depicting the devastation of
Q33-2: Utility of radiation,Ref.30 body. Understandable by lay people. the bombing by citizens of Hiroshima.

102 ● ●103
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Museum Special Services

 Ⅰ Loan of Photo Posters and Videos for Education Purpose

In order to pass on the reality of the A-bombings to as many people as possible and to
heighten the awareness of peace, we loan exhibit materials listed below to
governmental and non-beneficial entities. Part of the materials can be donated on
condition that the entities wish to continuously use them for the purposes of peace
promotion.

Hiroshima – Nagasaki Photo Posters <Printed Version>

This set of 30 posters is a collection of photographic posters describing the conditions of the
A-bomb damage including the A-bomb mushroom clouds and the A-bomb dome. Each
poster’s dimensions are 90cm _ 60cm. The total weight of all 30 posters comes to 3kg.
Available languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Russian, Spanish

Hiroshima – Nagasaki Photo Posters <Digital Version>

Digital data of 48 posters in DVD or CD-ROM describing the conditions of the A-bomb
damage including the A-bomb mushroom clouds and the A-bomb dome. Slightly different
from the contents of the Printed Version. Adobe Illustrator or PDF
Available languages: English

Also Video Tapes (VHS)・DVD are available

Hiroshima: A Mother’s Prayer (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish etc.)
Children of Nagasaki (English)
Hiroshima Witness (English)
On a Paper Crane (English, French)

Ⅱ Guided Tours by HIROSHIMA PEACE VOLUNTEERS (Free of charge)

A) Guided tour of the exhibition in the Peace Memorial Museum
     (Group size: 1 to 10 people)
B) Guided tour of the peace monuments in the Peace Memorial Park
     (Group Size: 1 to 15 people)
Approximate time required: 60-90 minutes for both A and B
Tour Days: January 4 to December 28 (*Not available on August 6)
Tour Hours: 10:30 to 15:30

Reservation are available by fax or e-mail:

*Reservations are accepted from 9:00 to 17:00 (Museum is closed from December 29 to January 1)
*Reservations for English tour are available from 3 months to one week before the day you wish to
visit the museum.
*Same day reservations: Please ask the information desk of the East Building from 10:30 to 14:30

Further information:
Outreach Division, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum,
1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0811, Japan
FAX: +81-82-247-2464 (In Japan 082-247-2464)
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/

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Past Peace Declaration

Archive of all Peace Declaration １９４７ １９５５ １９６５
Select the year by clicking on it. 1947 1955 1965
1947- 49 1947, 1948, 1949 Today, on this second anniversary of the atomic Today, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of The twentieth anniversary of the atomic bombing is
bombing of Hiroshima, we, Hiroshima's citizens, the atomic bomb dropping, we mourn with here with us today.
1951- 59 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, renew our commitment to the establishment of solemnity for the souls of the dead victims, and
1957, 1958, 1959 We, who witnessed the catastrophic ravages of
peace by celebrating a Peace Festival at this site, renew our fervent desire for and commitment to
＊ Dueto the cancellation of the Peace Memorial Ceremony, that atomic bomb, have been led to the realization
and expressing our burning desire for peace. world peace, which have been earnestly expressed
Peace Declaration was not announced in 1950. that our conventional view on wars must undergo a
to the world on the basis of our tragic experience.
1960' 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, The citizens of Hiroshima will never be able to radical change. In the nuclear age, war has come
1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 forget August 6, 1945. On that morning, exactly Six thousands of those who are suffering from to mean nothing less than an act inviting ruin upon
two years ago today, the first atomic bomb to be A-bomb aftereffects are not still entitled to receive mankind itself, without distinction of friend or foe,
1970' 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975,
unleashed on a city in the history of mankind fell on a proper medical treatment and are struggling for an atom bomb is not merely a dreadfully
     1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
Hiroshima; it instantly reduced the city to ashes against a hard life. Furthermore, ninety-eight destructive weapon of barbarous cruelty, but it has
1980' 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, and claimed the precious lives of more than thousands of survivors are incessantly threatened also become clear that its radioactivity, while
1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 100,000 of our fellow citizens. Hiroshima turned by the anxiety that they might be contracted with undermining human bodies over a long period of
1990' 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, into a city of death and darkness. Yet as some the A-bomb disease. We point out with great time, will ultimately make the very earth
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 slight consolation for this horror, the dropping of the emphasis that the A-bomb radiation which uninhabitable for man.
atomic bomb became a factor in ending the war gradually affects human body bears a danger that
2000' 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 It is this realization that has constantly urged us,
and calling a halt to the fighting. In this sense, could lead the sound human society to the way for
the people of Hiroshima, to voice our strong appeal
mankind must remember that August 6 was a day ruin.
http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/shimin/heiwa/pd/pd_e_archive.html for the banning of atomic and hydrogen bombs and
that brought a chance for world peace. This is the
We are not trembling with a groundless and for the complete renunciation of all war.
reason why we are now commemorating that day
exaggerated apprehension only because we did
by solemnly inaugurating a festival of peace, During the past twenty years, however, not only
experience the atomic bomb explosion. We cannot
despite the limitless sorrow in our minds. For only have nuclear weapons undergone prodigious
remain an idle spectator of the status quo that all
those who most bitterly experienced and came to development, both in quality as well as in quantity,
rest of the world seems as if it neglected that
know most completely the misery and the guilt of but the countries possessing them have gradually
holocaust as a happening that took place at a tiny
war can utterly reject war as the most terrible kind grown in number, all contributing to increasingly
spot on the earth. We look on it as our great duty to
of human suffering, and ardently pursue peace. confuse the situation. Truly alarming is the further
tell this truth to the whole world and convey our
fact that armed conflicts involving grave risks are
This horrible weapon brought about a "Revolution appeal of "Never have the tragedy of Hiroshima
being repeated in Vietnam and elsewhere in the
of Thought," which has convinced us of the repeated," until the day when we see the advent of
world. In our apprehension, never before has
necessity and the value of eternal peace. That is to an everlasting world peace in a true sense.
humanity faced a crisis greater than that of today.
say, because of this atomic bomb, the people of
the world have become aware that a global war in August 6, 1955 This viewpoint should require all nations and
which atomic energy would be used would lead to peoples to strive for the prevention of man's
the end of our civilization and extinction of Tadao Watanabe downfall by exerting their utmost efforts, to which
mankind. Mayor all previous international entanglements should
The City of Hiroshima give way in view of the gravity of the situation. This,
This revolution in thinking ought to be the basis for
we firmly believe, is the imperative need of the
an absolute peace, and imply the birth of new life
present moment.
and a new world. We know that, when in a crisis
discover a new truth and a new path from the crisis Today we reiterate this appeal to the whole world
itself, by reflecting deeply and beginning afresh. If as we once again propitiate the manes of those
this is true, what we have to do at this moment is to who perished in the atomic bombing.
strive with all our might towards peace, becoming
forerunners of a new civilization. August 6, 1965
Let us join to sweep away from this earth the horror
of war, and to build a true peace. Shinzo Hamai
Let us join in renouncing war eternally, and building Mayor
a plan for world peace on this earth. The City of Hiroshima
Here, under this peace tower, we thus make a
declaration of peace.
August 6, 1947

Shinzo Hamai
President of Hiroshima Peace Festival Association
Mayor of Hiroshima City

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１９75 １９８5
On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb exploded,
1975
peace by formally affiliating with Nagasaki, the city No more Hiroshimas. 1985
Peace through Inter-city Solidarity this year, for it is
without warning, high above the citizens of like Hiroshima suffered the horror of nuclear our hope that all the cities of the world aspiring to
It was forty years ago today during the hot summer
Hiroshima. bombing. We wish that our concept of peace be in lasting peace will be able to develop inter-city
that the heat waves, fiery blast, and radiation
harmony with that of mankind in entirety. solidarity transcending national boundaries,
A searing heat flashed from the bomb, a emitted by the first nuclear weapon ever used
ideologies and creeds and will impart added
cataclysmic detonation shook the earth, and in an On this day when we remember and mourn the against a human target burned all living things in a
momentum to the international quest for peace.
instant Hiroshima City was levelled. souls of those who were sacrificed, we hereby blinding flash and turned the city of Hiroshima into
plead with all our strength to the people of the a plain of scorched rubble. This year also marks the International Youth Year.
The toll of the dead and injured mounted, while in a We hope that the young people of the world - the
whole world that it is high time to abolish all nuclear Standing in the ruins, we, the citizens of Hiroshima,
pall of dense black smoke an unearthly inferno leaders of the twenty-first century - will inherit the
weapons since they are threatening the extinction foresaw that any war fought with nuclear weapons
became a reality. Spirit of Hiroshima, strengthen friendship and
of the humanity we should be trying to protect. would mean the annihilation of humanity and the
Beneath the collapsed structures of buildings, in solidarity among themselves, and exert their
end of civilization - and we have consistently
the midst of raging flames, people lay dying, August 6, 1975 utmost efforts in the cause of peace.
appealed to the world for the total abolition of
desperately pleading for help. In the streets people nuclear weapons. The fates of all of us are bound together here on
collapsed and died; in the rivers bodies drifted, Takeshi Araki earth. There can be no survival for any without
floating and sinking; and a ragged and bloody Mayor Despite these untiring efforts, more and more
peaceful co-existence for all. Humankind has no
procession wandered blindly, seeking safety away The City of Hiroshima nuclear weapons have been produced; they have
future if that future does not include co-prosperity.
from the mad and frantic streets, while voices been made more and more sophisticated; and they
In order to save this verdant planet from the grim
begged 'water, water' as they weakened and have been deployed ready for strategic and tactical
death of nuclear winter, we must draw upon our
neared death. Thirty years have elapsed, and all use. Humankind continues to face the threat of
common wisdom in overcoming distrust and
still linger in our minds today, penetrating our nuclear annihilation.
confrontation. Sharing our planet's finite resources
hearts with pain and regret. Although the nuclear superpowers, the United in the spirit of mutual understanding and
And beyond this, countless survivors in their lives States and the Soviet Union, finally resumed their cooperation, we must eliminate starvation and
today cannot rid themselves for a day of agony and long-suspended negotiations on nuclear poverty.
fear that radio-activity has inflicted on them. disarmament this March, the talks have made
No more Hiroshimas.
Hiroshima testifies with her body and soul against deplorably little progress as the superpowers use
this inhumanity. the facade of negotiation to jockey for advantage We must strengthen the bonds of friendship and
while they expand the nuclear arms race into outer solidarity among all peoples so as to save the
Moved by the ordeal of suffering that has stemmed space. world from the evil of war.
from the atomic bomb, the citizens of Hiroshima
have called for and sought peace for mankind, Today's hesitation leads to tomorrow's destruction. Today, on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary
unceasingly and steadfastly pleading that the of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, we pray for
In order that Hiroshima's inferno never be repeated
Hiroshima disaster never again be repeated. the souls of the A-bomb victims and rededicate our
anywhere, we strongly urge the United States and
lives to the eradication of nuclear weapons and the
And still in the world today we see nations and the Soviet Union, who hold the fate of humankind
pursuit of lasting peace.
people everywhere perturbed by the menace of in their hands, to halt all nuclear testing
nuclear weapons. immediately and to take decisive steps at the
summit talks in Geneva toward the total abolition of August 6, 1985
The countries possessing nuclear weapons have nuclear weapons in the interests of all humankind.
ignored the protest of Hiroshima and not only
continue nuclear tests, but absorb themselves in As the only country to have experienced nuclear Takeshi Araki
developing these bombs. Following their lead, devastation, Japan and the government of Japan Mayor
other countries are oriented towards arming should steadfastly adhere to its three non-nuclear The City of Hiroshima
themselves with nuclear weapons and thus principles policy and should take the initiative in
intensify the proliferation of nuclear arms. seeking the elimination of nuclear weapons. A
census of A-bomb victims is being conducted this
The world today is in an era of chaotic nuclear year, and it is our sincere hope that all due
competition, at the threshold of a grave crisis that measures will be taken to mitigate the suffering of
could lead to the annihilation of mankind, a reality A-bomb survivors on the basis of the principle of
that the citizens of Hiroshima absolutely cannot national indemnity, taking into consideration the
make light of. distinctive characteristics of ailments induced by
Individual human beings must realize that we live atomic bombing.
on the same earth as respective members sharing Along with these efforts, Hiroshima, an A-bombed
a destined community, and so must stand out city, has been devoting itself to building a city
resolutely for the abolition of all nuclear weapons. dedicated to peace - a living symbol of the ideal of
Facing this formidable situation, Hiroshima City has lasting world peace. It is in this spirit that we are
renewed her resolution to build a true world of hosting the First World Conference of Mayors for

108 ● ●109
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１９９5 ２００４
1995
It is now half a century to the day since Hiroshima At this 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, "Nothing will grow for 75 years." Fifty-nine years
2004
action program that incorporates, as an interim
was devastated by the atomic bomb. Along with it is important to look at the stark reality of war in have passed since the August sixth when goal, the signing in 2010 of a Nuclear Weapons
recalling that fateful day and praying for the souls terms of both aggrieved and aggriever so as to Hiroshima was so thoroughly obliterated that many Convention to serve as the framework for
of the many who died, and being acutely aware of develop a common understanding of history. The succumbed to such doom. Dozens of corpses still eliminating nuclear weapons by 2020.
the difficulties the aging hibakusha face, I cannot suffering of all the war's victims indelibly etched in bearing the agony of that day, souls torn abruptly
Around the world, this Emergency Campaign is
but repeat in the strongest possible terms that the our hearts, we want to apologize for the from their loved ones and their hopes for the future,
generating waves of support. This past February,
development and possession of nuclear weapons unbearable suffering that Japanese colonial have recently re-surfaced on Ninoshima Island,
the European Parliament passed by overwhelming
constitutes a crime against humanity. domination and war inflicted on so many people. warning us to beware the utter inhumanity of the
majority a resolution specifically supporting the
atomic bombing and the gruesome horror of war.
Throughout this half-century, we have told all the Memory is where past and future meet. Mayors for Peace campaign. At its general
world of the human devastation that the atomic Respectfully learning the lessons of the past, we Unfortunately, the human race still lacks both a assembly in June, the U.S. Conference of Mayors,
bombs wrought, particularly the unprecedented want to impress the misery of war and the atomic lexicon capable of fully expressing that disaster representing 1183 U.S. cities, passed by
damage of radiation, in a consistent appeal that bombing on the generations of younger people and sufficient imagination to fill the gap. Thus, most acclamation an even stronger resolution.
nuclear weapons be abolished. Yet distrust among who will be tomorrow's leaders. Similarly, we also of us float idly in the current of the day, clouding
We anticipate that Americans, a people of
nations is deep-rooted and there are vast need to emphasize the human aspects of with self-indulgence the lens of reason through
conscience, will follow the lead of their mayors and
stockpiles of nuclear weapons around the globe, education as the basis for peace. Only when life which we should be studying the future, blithely
form the mainstream of support for the Emergency
creating a formidable barrier to the attainment of and human rights are accorded the highest priority turning our backs on the courageous few.
Campaign as an expression of their love for
our ideal. It is profoundly saddening that some can young people enjoy lives of boundless hope.
As a result, the egocentric worldview of the U.S. humanity and desire to discharge their duty as the
people see the possession of nuclear weapons as
At this Peace Memorial Ceremony commemorating government is reaching extremes. Ignoring the lone superpower to eliminate nuclear weapons.
symbolic of a nation's strength.
the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombing, I am United Nations and its foundation of international
We are striving to communicate the message of
Nuclear weapons are clearly inhumane weapons in resolved to spare no effort in achieving the law, the U.S. has resumed research to make
the hibakusha around the world and promote the
obvious violation of international law. So long as abolition of nuclear Weapons and the attainment of nuclear weapons smaller and more "usable."
Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Course to
such weapons exist, it is inevitable that the horror world peace. Elsewhere, the chains of violence and retaliation
ensure, especially, that future generations will
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be repeated - know no end: reliance on violence-amplifying terror
understand the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and
somewhere, sometime - in an unforgivable affront August 6, 1995 and North Korea, among others, buying into the
the cruelty of war. In addition, during the coming
to humanity itself. worthless policy of "nuclear insurance" are salient
year, we will implement a project that will mobilize
Takashi Hiraoka symbols of our times.
If humanity is to maintain hope for the future, we adults to read eyewitness accounts of the atomic
Mayor
must act now with courage and decisiveness to We must perceive and tackle this human crisis bombings to children everywhere.
The City of Hiroshima
achieve a nuclear-free world. As a first step, we call within the context of human history. In the year
The Japanese government, as our representative,
for an immediate and comprehensive nuclear test leading up to the 60th anniversary, which begins a
should defend the Peace Constitution, of which all
ban and the establishment of a new nuclear-free new cycle of rhythms in the interwoven fabric that
Japanese should be proud, and work diligently to
zone in the Asia-Pacific. In keeping with the binds humankind and nature, we must return to our
rectify the trend toward open acceptance of war
Constitution's pacifist ideals and proclaiming its point of departure, the unprecedented A-bomb
and nuclear weapons increasingly prevalent at
three non-nuclear principles (of non-possession, experience. In the coming year, we must sow the
home and abroad. We demand that our
non-manufacture, and non-introduction), the seeds of new hope and cultivate a strong future-
government act on its obligation as the only
government of Japan should take the lead in oriented movement.
A-bombed nation and become the world leader for
working for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
To that end, the city of Hiroshima, along with the nuclear weapons abolition, generating an anti-
Likewise, we also call upon the government to be
Mayors for Peace and our 611 member cities in nuclear tsunami by fully and enthusiastically
more supportive of all hibakusha - these witnesses
109 countries and regions, hereby declares the supporting the Emergency Campaign led by the
to the nuclear era - in Japan and elsewhere.
period beginning today and lasting until August 9, Mayors for Peace. We further demand more
The possession of nuclear weapons is no 2005, to be a Year of Remembrance and Action for generous relief measures to meet the needs of our
guarantee of national security. Rather, the a Nuclear-Free World. Our goal is to bring forth a aging hibakusha, including those living overseas
proliferation of nuclear weapons, the transfer of beautiful "flower" for the 75th anniversary of the and those exposed in black rain areas.
nuclear weapons technology, and the leakage of atomic bombings, namely, the total elimination of
Rekindling the memory of Hiroshima and
nuclear materials are all threats to the survival of all nuclear weapons from the face of the Earth by
Nagasaki, we pledge to do everything in our power
the human race. Like the suppression of human the year 2020. Only then will we have truly
during the coming year to ensure that the 60th
rights, impoverishment and starvation, regional resurrected hope for life on this "nothing will grow"
anniversary of the atomic bombings will see a
conflict, and the destruction of the global planet.
budding of hope for the total abolition of nuclear
environment, these are all major threats to world
The seeds we sow today will sprout in May 2005. weapons. We humbly offer this pledge for the
peace.
At the Review Conference for the Treaty on the peaceful repose of all atomic bomb victims.
This is an era in which we must think of global Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to be
security. It is a time to foster human solidarity held in New York, the Emergency Campaign to August 6, 2004
transcending national borders, to pool our wisdom, Ban Nuclear Weapons will bring together cities,
and to work together to establish world peace. citizens, and NGOs from around the world to work Tadatoshi Akiba
with like-minded nations toward adoption of an Mayor The City of Hiroshima

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Index

A D M R
Medical Examination… ……………… 55･70･73･74 Radiation………… 16･17･18･19･20･21･22･23･26･
A-bomb Drawings… ………………………………31 Direct A-bomb Survivor… …………………………26
Meningioma… …………………… 40･41･64･65･101 28･29･32･33･35･39･41･42･43･
A-bomb Dome… …………76･77･79･80･82･93･104 Disaster of the A-bomb… …………………………13
Microcephaly…………………………… 21･42･44･45 44･45･46･47･51･61･64･65･66･
A-bomb Orphan… …………………………… 24･81 DNA… ………………………………… 29･43･50･51
Monument…………………………………… 82･104 67･69･72･73･74･75･91･99･100
A-bomb Survivor Health Book………………………70 Dosimetry System (DS86)……………………………29
Mortality………………………………………… 42･45 Radiation Cataract……………………………………46
A-bombed Building… …………………… 78･79･86 DS86… ………………………………………… 28･29
(mSv)… …………………………………… 28･73･74 Radiation Exposure… ………………… 33･35･73･74
A-bombed Lonely-Elderly… ………………………27
A-bombed Streetcar…………………………………86
F Multiple Cancers… …………………………………64 Radiation Induced Disease… ………………………69
Mutation Rate… ……………………………………90 Radiation Is Used in Many Fields……………………75
A-bombed Tree………………………………… 84･85 Family Disintegration… ……………………………15
Radioactive Material…………………… 18･20･21･74
Abolition of Nuclear Weapons……… ……27･77･99
Action Plan for Achieving Peace……………………97 G N RAS Gene… …………………………………………43
Nagasaki's Plutonium Bomb… ……………………23 Robert Lifton…………………………………………61
Acute Myeloid Leukemia……………………………36 Gamma ray… …………………… 19･22･23･74･75
National Budget for A-bomb Survivor… …………71
Acute Radiation Symptom… ………… 28･33･45･47 Gene Abnormality……………………………………43
National Census……………………………………52
August 6, 1945… …………………… 10･14･106･108 Genetic Effect………………………………… 90･91
Natural Radiation… …………………………… 74･91 S
August Sixth… …………………… 14･58･80･94･111 General Nursing Home………………………………11
Neutron ray… …………………… 19･22･23･28･51 Sadako… …………………………… 36･37･38･103
Air Raid… ……………………………………… 16･60 Germ Cell… …………………………………………91
Non-Proliferation Treaty… …………………… 94･99 Second Cancer… ……………………………………67
Allowance… ……………………………… 69･70･71 Grave… ……………………… 14･37･58･77･107･108
Nuclear Disarmament… …………………… 94･109 Semipalatinsk… …………………… 21･89･115･117
Alpha ray… …………………………………… 19･39 Gray (Gy)………………………………………………18
Nuclear Weapon Free Zones Declaration… ………95 Sievert (Sv)…………………………………… 18･100
Atomic Bomb Memorial Mound………… 58･82･87
H Skin Cancer… ……………21･40･41･65･67･91･101
B Health Checkup…………………………… 68･75･91 O Special Nursing Home… ……………………… 10･11
Osteosarcoma… ………………………… 20･21･39 Stomach Cancer… ……………………… 40･67･73
Beta ray… ……………………………………… 19･39 Heat Rays… ……………………… 17･18･35･48･49
Street Children… ……………………………………24
Blast… …………………………… 5･17･76･78･109 HICARE… ……………………………… 89･115･119
Bone Marrow…………………… 33･34･36･43･50･51 Hospitalization… ……………………………………68 P South Korea… ………………………………… 54･55
Peace Declaration…………………………… 59･106 Suicide… ………………………………… 27･60･61
Bone Marrow Cell………………………… 34･43･51 Hospital Payment……………………………………70
Peaceful World… ……………………… 5･93･96･117 Survivors' Population… ……………………………53
Brazil… …………………………………… 54･55･91 Hyperparathyroidism… ……………………………42
Peace Memorial Ceremony…58･59･80･81･94 Survivors Living Abroad… …………………………55
C I Peace Memorial Museum……30･31･36･61･80･
Cancer…………… 21･39･40･41･42･43･45･64･65･ ICRP……………………………………………………89
82･102･104 T
Peace Memorial Park………58･80･82･83･84･87･92･ The Second Generation Of A-bomb Survivors… …91
66･67･90･91･97 IPPNW………………………………… 89･94･114･119
104 Thyroid Cancer… ………………… 39･41･64･65･101
Cataracts………………………………… 42･46･47
Cenotaph… …………………………… 80･81･82･93
K Peace Movement… ……………………… 89･93･94 Types of Radiation……………………………… 19･75
Peace Studies…………………………………… 92･96
Characteristics of Leukemia Among A-bomb… …39 Keloid…………………………… 17･33･42･48･61･65
Chernobyl… ………………… 20･21･39･89･115･117
"Peace Watch" clock…………………………………92 U
Children's Peace Monument… ………… 36･37･82
L Plutonium 239… ……………………………………22 Uranium 235…………………………………… 17･22
Prenatally Exposed A-bomb Survivor………… 44･45
Colon Cancer……………………… 40･41･64･66･67 Leukemia…………21･23･36･37･38･39･40･41･
Chromosome…………………… 16･29･50･51･66･90 43･64
Psychological Influence… …………………………61 W
Publication……………………………………………63 World Conference for Mayors for Peace…… 94･116
Chromosome Aberration………………… 29･43･51 Lung Cancer… …………………… 10･40･41･60･67
World Heritage Site… ………………………… 76･77
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia… ………… 23･36･39･60 Lymphocyte… ……………………… 35･43･51･101
Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty… ………94
X
X-ray… ………………………… 20･21･72･73･74･91

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Hiroshima International Council for Health Care of

the Radiation-exposed (HICARE)
- Contributions from Hiroshima -
International Physicians for the Prevention 1.1.Purpose
Purpose ofofHICARE
HICARE
of Nuclear War (IPPNW) HICARE aims to develop a system to proliferate the medical records and research
accumulated in Hiroshima, improving worldwide radiation related healthcare and
promoting international cooperation.
We, more than one hundred thousand medical doctors, scientists and students
2.2.Activities
Activities
who know the medical consequences of Atomic- bombing very well, have been 2-1 Training of Medical and Other Technical Personnel
endeavoring to prevent nuclear war and aiming for the world free of nuclear HICARE provides training for physicians and other technical workers worldwide who are
weapons and free of war. involved in health-care activities for the radiation-exposed people. In many regions which
have suffered from radiation accidents, the areas around Chernobyl, the Semipalatinsk
nuclear testing site, and other similar areas, physicians and technical workers who have
received HICARE training are fulfilling new and more important roles, more effectively
aiding those suffering from the unfortunate effects of radiation.

2-2 Dispatch of Physicians and Other Specialists

HICARE dispatches medical and other specialists from Hiroshima to radiation-affected
regions worldwide, providing training and medical information to those providing health
care to the radiation-exposed people and patients.

In order to improve the efficiency of these activities, HICARE cooperate with other
international organizations and institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO),
Japanese government, local and regional governments, local medical and research
institutions, and NGO's in the vicinity of our activities.

2-3 Public Relations and Educational Activities

In order to enhance the general public’s understanding of the importance and necessity
of our radiation and health care related activities, HICARE holds frequent lectures,
IPPNW Central Office conferences, as well as other educational and public relations activities.
727 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Tel: 617 868 5050 Fax: 617 868 2560
http://www.ippnw.org/ C/O Health and Welfare Office for
General e-mail: [email protected] Atomic Bomb Survivors
Hiroshima Prefectural Government
Japanese Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (JPPNW) 10-52 Motomachi, Naka-ku Hiroshima,
JPPNW c/o Hiroshima Prefectural Medical Association Japan 730-8511
1-1-1Kanonhonmachi, Nishiku, Hiroshima 733-8540, Japan
Phone: +81-82-228-9901
Tel: +81 82 232 7211 Fax: +81 82 293 3363
Fax: +81-82-228-3277
http://www.hiroshima.med.or.jp/kenisikai/ippnw/default.htm (only in Japanese)
Email: [email protected]
E-mail:[email protected]
Homepage:
http://www.hiroshima-cdas.or.jp/HICARE/

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The University Connected with the World

1 Purpose Intercultural Learning Environment
The Mayors for Peace, through close cooperation Through the Hiroshima University Study Abroad Program (HUSA), Hiroshima University
among the cities that support the “Program to promotes the dispatch of students to 49 universities. Students can cultivate an international
Promote the Solidarity of Cities toward the Total feeling and understanding of a variety of cultures through interchanges with approximately
Abolition of Nuclear Weapons”, strives to raise 800 international students on campus.
international public awareness regarding the need
to abolish nuclear weapons and contributes to the Cross-Boarder Education
realization of genuine and lasting world peace by Hiroshima University deepens educational exchange through international exchange
working to eliminate starvation and poverty, assisting refugees fleeing local agreements with 74 universities and research institutions in 21 countries and as a member
of the International Network of Universities (INU). The Hiroshima University Beijing
conflict, supporting human rights, protecting the environment, and solving the
Research Center (in Capital Normal University, China) is used as an international education
other problems that threaten peaceful coexistence within the human family. and research base.
2 Activities
•Calls for worldwide solidarity among cities Aiming at a Peaceful World
•Holds a general conference once every four years to facilitate efforts to eliminate The "Hiroshima Peace Message" is sent out by the Institute for Peace Science. The
nuclear weapons and solve the various problems that obstruct peace International Radiation Information Center in the Research Institute for Radiation Biology
•Holds executive meetings as the need arises and Medicine investigates, gathers information and analyzes cases of radiation
•Sends the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Declarations to supporting cities contamination around the world, such as at Chernobyl and Semipalatinsk.
•Presents appeals to the United Nations and other organizations regarding the
elimination of nuclear weapons, promotion of disarmament, solutions to human International Projects
rights and refugee problems, alleviation of starvation and poverty, and protection Hiroshima University provides assistance to developing countries through the Graduate
School for International Development and Cooperation (IEDC) and the Center for the Study
of the environment
of International Cooperation in Education (CICE) and makes efforts in international
•Implements projects that contribute to solving the problems of peace, disarmament, cooperation through collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
human rights, refugees, starvation and poverty, and environmental destruction; and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
publicizes the results of such projects and promotes exchanges of information
•Supports for the Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-bomb Photo Posters Exhibition University with International Students and Researchers
•Publishes a newsletter To promote exchange with international students and in education and research, Hiroshima
University is establishing and expanding university-wide systems. To attract outstanding
2020 Vision  (An Emergency Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons) international students and researchers from around the world, Hiroshima University
Mayors for Peace launched an "Emergency provides the latest and highly advanced education and research opportunities through
Campaign to Ban Nuclear Weapons" to promote its enhanced education programs and research facilities. Hiroshima University promotes
"2020 Vision," a program to eliminate all nuclear distance education corresponding to the internationalization of society using media contents
weapons by the year 2020, the 75th anniversary of for education activities, and also promotes support and exchange for international students
the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. who have returned to their home countries by creating a database of international students.
We are promoting Cities Are Not Targets (CANT),
a concrete, global project of the Good Faith
Challenge, a new aspect of our 2020 Vision International Affairs Bureau
Campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons. 3-2,Kagamiyama 1chome,
Higashi Hiroshima,Japan 739-8511
Representative: President : Mayor of Hiroshima Phone: +81-82-424-6045
Date founded: June 24, 1982 Fax: +81-82-424-6179
Headquarters: 1-5 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0811 JAPAN Email: [email protected]
Contact numbers: TEL +81-82-242-7821 FAX +81-82-242-7452 Homepage: http://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/
E-mail: [email protected]
Home page: http://www.mayorsforpeace.org/
Member: 1,578 cities in 120 countries and regions (as of February 21,2007)

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Acknowledgment About the Author

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Keiko Ogura for her leadership in Nanao Kamada, M.D., M.Sc is the Chairman of the
managing the project and coordinating the work between the American editors and Board of Directors, Hiroshima Atomic Bomb
Japanese translators. Survivors Relief Foundation, and Professor Emeritus,
Hiroshima University. He is a Director of the Japanese
In the original Japanese version, Hiroshima no Obaa-chan, the left hand page was a
Branch of IPPNW (International Physicians for
transcription of the spoken language and was kept in the Hiroshima dialect. This made it
easier for young students– the intended audience– to understand, but presented Prevention of Nuclear War), which received the Nobel
tremendous difficulties for the translators. One Day in Hiroshima-An Oral History is Prize Peace Award in 1985, and a former President of
intended for a wider audience and I would like to thank Yoshie Ozaki, Megumi Shimo and HICARE (Hiroshima International Council for
Megumi Morita and for their tireless efforts to render the Japanese into easily understood Medical Care of the Radiation-exposed).
English. Many compromises had to be made between word-for-word and intended
meaning and for this reason this book cannot be said to be a direct translation.

Richard C. Parker and Rick Nelson also helped me as translation editors. Mr. Parker gave
assistance not only in the editing and proofreading of the translation, but also gave advice
regarding layout and appearance from his experience in layout as a graphic designer. I
also received extensive cooperation from Mr. Nelson based on his past experience in the
publishing industry.

My sincere thanks also go to the Chugoku Shimbun, Hiroshima Peace Culture

Foundation, Research Institute for Radiation Biology of Hiroshima University and
Medicine, Bunkodo Co., and Tomoko Nakamura and others who provided essential
materials.

All profits from this book will be donated as a support fund to the nursing homes for
atomic bomb survivors.
---- 平和学習 ---- 中・高校生、社会人向け

First published in Japanese, 2005(ISBN978-4-990245-10-8)

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