Hiroshima museum continues to receive artifacts 80 years after atomic bombing
Donors often share their personal motivations when presenting such items to the museum.
"I want to leave proof that the deceased once surely lived," said one contributor, while another expressed hopes that the donations will serve "the shared memory of humanity."
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Japan Times
33 minutes ago
- Japan Times
Akita woman recounts one of the last air raids of WWII
A survivor of an air raid on the city of Akita the night before the end of World War II continues to recount her terrifying experience 80 years ago, expressing regret that the war did not end a day earlier. Tsukiko Ito, 84, was 4 years old when Akita's Tsuchizaki district was battered by around 130 bombers from the United States and its allies for some four hours from around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 14, 1945. The raid, in which more than 12,000 bombs were dropped, targeted Nippon Oil's Akita refinery, one of the largest such facilities on mainland Japan, killing at least an estimated 250 people. She got out of her home when the bombings began, and saw the refinery in flames and the night sky lit up orange. Her family escaped to a bomb shelter near her home. But her grandmother urged the family to flee elsewhere, saying that they would die if they stayed in the shelter. So they evacuated to higher ground instead, which proved crucial for their survival. Amid the smell of burning oil and the roar of bombers overhead, they hid behind houses and trees as they ran for their lives. The following morning, Ito returned to her home only to find it smashed to pieces by two bombs. The bomb shelter was buried in the rubble, while a couple who lived next door was found dead in a shelter adjacent to their house. The attack on the Tsuchizaki district is known as one of the last air raids on Japan during World War II. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, the day after the airstrike. Ito went on to work at a financial institution, got married and started a family. She began to confront her past in earnest after retirement, such as by attending memorial ceremonies for the airstrike. Ito also joined a civic group for passing on the tragic memories of the air raid and started sharing her story, thinking that she could not stay silent given that many people in her neighborhood died in the attack. "If the war had ended a day earlier, the couple next door would have survived," Ito says. "I want to tell children that many lives were lost, from babies to elderly people." Her activities began at elementary schools in Akita and later expanded elsewhere. University students also visit Ito to listen to her story. Lately, she feels a sense of crisis because there are fewer opportunities for children to learn about the air raid amid a decrease in the number of teachers familiar with the incident. "With various wars taking place around the world, it's (more and more) important to learn about the air raid," she says. Ito emphasizes the importance of the memories of the airstrike being told by those who experienced it firsthand. When she tells her story, she lets elementary school students touch fragments of a bomb that was actually dropped during the raid. Her efforts to engage children also include having a brass band perform as she reads a picture book created based on the testimonies of survivors of the bombings. "I can still do a little more," Ito says. "I want to continue as long as my health allows."
NHK
10 hours ago
- NHK
Exhibit on 1945 atomic bombings opens in Pearl Harbor
An exhibition on the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago opened at the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor in the US state of Hawaii on Tuesday. The exhibition is aimed at exploring the impact of nuclear warfare and stressing the importance of peace. It is organized by the two atomic-bombed cities and other groups. At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Hiroshima bombing survivor Kasaoka Sadae shared her experience with the audience. The 92-year-old was 12 when the blast occurred on August 6, 1945. She was at home about 3.5 kilometers from ground zero. Her parents were killed in the bombing. Some audience members were in tears when Kasaoka spoke about her father, who died after being injured beyond recognition. The participants prayed for the victims and peace. On display were about 30 items, including a replica of a lunchbox with charred contents and information panels showing heat and radioactive rays and their impact. A 17-year-old boy said he was reminded that peace is of utmost importance. An 11-year-old resident of Hawaii said it was sad that atomic bombs were dropped. She said she wishes it had never happened, and that she does not think the victims deserved it. The exhibition is scheduled to run until the end of February. The Missouri is a symbolic battleship that participated in battles against Japanese forces during World War Two. Her deck was the site of the surrender ceremony of Japan. She became a museum ship after retirement.
Japan Times
a day ago
- Japan Times
GSDF completes relocation of Ospreys from Chiba Prefecture to Camp Saga
The Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) has completed relocating 17 Osprey tilt-rotor transport aircraft to a new camp in the city of Saga from a camp in Chiba Prefecture, the Defense Ministry has said. The Osprey deployment began in July following the opening of the GSDF's Camp Saga, and the transfer of the last of the 17 aircraft from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture to the new facility was finalized Tuesday. The Ospreys will be operated in coordination with the GSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade to defend remote islands, such as the Nansei island chain in southwestern Japan, with a Taiwan contingency in mind. The amphibious brigade is based at the GSDF's Camp Ainoura in Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture and specializes in the defense of remote islands. "The deployment of the Ospreys at Camp Saga is extremely significant in enhancing deterrence and response capabilities," the ministry said.
