A Legacy of Peace and Remembrance in Nagasaki
Nagasaki, a city in southwest Japan, stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and peace. On July 9, an 83-year-old hibakusha, Yasujiro Tanaka, engaged in a conversation with a reporter from the Mainichi Shimbun, reflecting on his experiences and the ongoing mission to eliminate nuclear weapons. This dialogue took place in front of the Peace Statue, under the scorching sun, highlighting the enduring commitment of those who have witnessed the horrors of atomic warfare.
Tanaka has been participating in monthly sit-in rallies to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear arms. His efforts are driven by a deep desire for a world free from the threat of atomic weapons and war. The memory of August 9, 1945, remains etched in his mind. That day, a U.S. atomic bomb detonated above Nagasaki at 11:02 a.m., unleashing heat rays and a devastating blast that transformed the city into a scene of chaos and destruction.
Tanaka recalls the moment vividly, describing how a town filled with the sounds of cicadas and the warmth of the sun was suddenly engulfed in darkness and silence. By the end of 1945, approximately 74,000 people had lost their lives in the bombing. Despite the trauma, Tanaka urges others to cherish their families, emphasizing the importance of love and support.
Another survivor, Chiyoko Iwanaga, 89, offers prayers at a church every Sunday. She was exposed to the flash and blast of the bomb about 11 kilometers southwest of the hypocenter while in the former village of Fukahori. Although she was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder in her 50s, Iwanaga has not been officially recognized as a hibakusha due to her location outside the designated relief zone. Her quest for government recognition has been met with silence, and many others in similar situations have passed away, expressing their illnesses as a result of the bombing.
"I'm carrying a heavy cross on my back," Iwanaga said, reflecting on the burden of her experience. She believes that if individuals can accept their vulnerabilities and mistakes, conflicts could be eliminated. Her wish for peace continues to grow stronger with each passing year.
Eighty years after the end of World War II, fewer people remain who lived through the conflict. However, the stories of the damage caused by the atomic bombing continue to be told by those who experienced it. Kenichi Kubota, 58, a tree doctor, is one such individual. He has been conducting annual surveys of trees exposed to radiation in Nagasaki alongside members of the Japan Tree Doctors Association. These efforts aim to preserve the trees for future generations, treating them like human patients with medical charts detailing their conditions.
Approximately 50 trees are examined each year, with their records meticulously kept. Kubota explains that as electric wires and houses have increased, these trees can no longer spread their branches freely as they did before the war. By shaping them in ways suitable for the present time, he hopes to allow these "teachers" who experienced the war to live out their lives.
The common thread among all these efforts is the desire to make Nagasaki "the last place on Earth to have suffered an atomic bombing." The areas around the hypocenter, once reduced to scorched ruins, are now filled with condominiums and schools, bustling with people. The people of Nagasaki continue their efforts to ensure the cityscape remains peaceful for decades to come, even 100 or 150 years after the war.
Through the stories of survivors, the preservation of trees, and the ongoing calls for peace, Nagasaki stands as a testament to the power of remembrance and the enduring hope for a world without nuclear weapons. Each effort contributes to a collective mission to honor the past and safeguard the future.