6 days ago
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.
