Date : July 30, 2024
A Message for the Future as Atomic Bomb Survivors Grow Older (Mr. Seiichiro Mise)
post date : 2024.07.23
According to a study by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) in Japan at the end of March 2024 was 106,825 (a decline of 6,824 from the same time last year), with their average age now 85.58 years old, a 0.57 increase from last year. As the hibakusha continue to age, next year will mark 80 years since the atomic bombings of Japan.
The FPCJ has invited Mr. Seiichiro Mise, an 89-year-old hibakusha who will be reading the Promise for Peace at this year’s Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on August 9, to describe his experiences during the atomic bombing when he was ten, at home 3.6 kilometers from ground zero, as well as his hopes for nuclear disarmament and his message for future generations.
<Mr. Seiichiro Mise’s testimony of his experience during the atomic bombing>
*********************************************************************************
When I was 10 years old, a fifth-grade student at Irabayashi Elementary School, the atomic bombing happened when I was in my room at home, 3.6 km from ground zero.
All eight members of my family were fine, but the inside of our house was a terrible mess, and we spent a lot of time cleaning up. After a few days, I wondered what my school was like and went to go check.
What I saw was unimaginable.
There were people barely clinging to life, people with burns all over being moved with handcarts, and voices calling out “Water, water,” or due to the pain, “Kill me, kill me.” Rescue efforts did not make it in time, and I saw countless people dying one after another, with their bodies burned in the schoolyard. I would like to let people know about the horror of war.
*********************************************************************************
YouTube “Memories of August 9”：https://youtu.be/lNn3qbHqkFQ?si=euIDLjIZvZtkhdhp
■Please note that you cannot physically attend this briefing, as it will be a Zoom webinar.
■Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 14:00-15:30 (Deadline for application: Noon, Mon. July 29)
■Theme: A Message for the Future as Atomic Bomb Survivors Grow Older
■Briefer: Mr. Seiichiro Mise
■Language: Japanese, with consecutive English interpretation
As in our standard press briefings, there will be a Q&A session at the end.
*In principle, questions will only be accepted from members of the foreign press.
■Members of the Foreign Press:
Please send any questions for the briefer or topics you are interested in to cp@fpcjpn.or.jp by noon on Thursday, July 25.
As there will only be a limited amount of time to ask questions during the briefing, we will collect questions and provide them to the briefer in advance.
Embassy representatives and FPCJ supporting members may also watch the briefing as observers (admission free).
■How to Apply: Please refer to the email we sent.
*We will not be accepting applications by email.