AUGUST 1945: America drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki reducing these cities to a rubble and claiming over 150 000 lives. NONTOBEKO AISHA MKHWANAZI reports on a recent dialogue in Cape Town addressed by three of the survivors.
The Hibakusha – survivors of the nuclear atrocity – are now raising concerns of the threat of nuclear weapons usage having lived through the nightmare.
The three Hibakusha representatives raised these concerns during a dialogue session themed ‘Beyond Borders and Generations: Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Testimony and Visions of Peace Building’ hosted by Peace Boat in conjunction with the Equiano Institute in Cape Town on May 11, 2024.
Coinciding with Africa Month and the anniversary of the inauguration of the first South African democratic president, the late Nelson Mandela, the visit of Hibakusha representatives Terumi Tanaka, Tadayoshi Ogawa and Toshiko Tanaka to South Africa was symbolic as it paid tribute to the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela, offering a space of awareness and echoing the call to a peaceful world.
According to Rika Watanabe, the International Coordinator of Peace Boat, this tragedy which was faced by the Hibakusha has since inspired Peace Boat, a Japan-based international non-profit organisation, in partnership with other organisations, to unwaveringly commit to raising global awareness about the devastating impact of nuclear weapons.
‘Our initiative, Peace Boat Voyage 117 Hibakusha project themed ‘Global Voyages for a Nuclear-Free World: Peace Boat Hibakusha Project’, is conducted in collaboration with partner organisations of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the 2017 Nobel Peace Laureate, to transcend generational and national boundaries in spreading the message of peace. In addition, it has seen over 170 survivors travel the world since 2008, advocating for a future without nuclear threats,’ said Watanabe.
Underscoring the imminent threat of nuclear weapons, Watanabe said that currently the world remains fraught with armed invasions and wars. Hence, Peace Boat has made it part of its objectives to not only engage in awareness of the dire impact of the usage of nuclear weapons but to also call for global support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
TPNW, according to the United Nations Office of Disbarment Affairs (UNODA), is a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear weapon activities such as not to develop, test, produce, acquire, possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons.
Watanabe highlighted that in spreading the message across the globe, the Hibakusha and two representatives will be travelling to 22 countries in a Peace Boat-operated Pacific World ship.
She compared the Peace Boat voyage to a floating village with approximately 1 500 people who come together to learn, discuss, and advocate for peace and sustainability.
In response to the ongoing crisis in Palestine and as an expression of gratitude to South Africans for their support for Palestinians, Peace Boat displayed a ‘Stop Killing Gaza’ banner on the vessel.
This action, alongside a similar banner held by 300 passengers along the South African coast, also amplified the call for an immediate ceasefire.
‘We strongly appeal to the world for an immediate and lasting ceasefire,’ said Watanabe.
The Zionist occupation force has dropped an estimated 45 000 on the civilian population of Gaza sine October 7, 2023.
Addressing the audience during the dialogue, Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations, urged everyone to join the call to peace as he expressed that World Wars were a result of local conflicts and in turn grew and had a negative impact on everyone.
Born 13 years before the ordeal, Terumi who has dedicated his life to advocating for peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons, experienced the horrors of the atomic bomb firsthand.
Terumi vividly described the chaos and destruction that engulfed Nagasaki as a day filled with pain and sorrow.
‘Five of my family members instantly lost their lives, with one of them being burnt beyond recognition,’ recounted Terumi.
As Terumi reflected on the nearly 80 years since the atomic bombings, he acknowledged the pivotal role that survivors like himself have played in advocating for disarmament.
However, he expressed deep concern about the current geopolitical climate, citing conflicts involving nuclear-armed nations like Russia and Israel as potential triggers for a catastrophic global conflict.
He fears that without intervention and a renewed commitment to peace, the world may be headed towards another devastating war.
Highlighting the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons, Terumi emphasises the catastrophic consequences of their use, as evidenced by the devastation wrought upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
‘The scale and consequences of only one nuclear weapon detonated in one city is unimaginable,’ asserted Terumi.
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He further underscored the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding of the true impact of these weapons, urging society to recognise the profound threat they pose to humanity.
In addition, he emphasised the importance of maintaining hope and resilience in the face of adversity, urging solidarity and support for the people affected by these conflicts.
‘We were told that trees in Hiroshima and Nagasaki will not grow until after 700 years but today we have beautiful trees. We never lost hope and I urge all those who are faced with difficulty to never lose hope,’ said Terumi.
Born just a year before the ordeal in Nagasaki, Tadayoshi Ogawa, who survived the bombing noted that the impact of nuclear weapons extends beyond the day on the incident.
Despite evacuating the city prior to the bombing, his family’s return a week later exposed them to radiation and resulted in some of his family members losing their lives.
‘If I was in my home when the bomb was detonated, I wouldn’t have survived. Despite that the health impact of the radiation post the bombing affected many in my city who had returned to check on their property including my family members. It was painful to watch them suffer from sicknesses knowing they are a result of this horrific incident,’ says Ogawa.
He stressed that it is crucial that this history is never forgotten.
‘Currently in the city of Nagasaki, not many people know about the painful ordeal. This is worrisome as it seems that our painful history is slowly fading away,’ says Ogawa.
In addition, he said he remains steadfast in his commitment to preserving the memory of the atomic bombing and ensuring that future generations do not forget the horrors of nuclear warfare.
Toshiko Tanaka, who was six-years-old at the time and was on her way to school when exposed to the Hiroshima bombing, has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the horrors of nuclear warfare.
‘I was exposed to the atomic bomb while on my way to school, 2.3km from the hypocentre. I covered my face with my right arm at the time without thinking, and therefore suffered burns to my head, right arm and the back left side of my neck. I don’t know how I was able to survive. But although I am 80-years-old today this event inspires me not to give up on my call because no one deserves to experience what we went through as the Hibakusha,’ said Toshiko.
Reflecting on the ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine, Tanaka expressed anger and concern as an atomic bomb survivor.
‘The usage of nuclear weapons is inhumane. As Hibakusha, we know from our own experiences,’ said Toshiko.
She also called for solidarity and mutual support, drawing inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s struggle against injustice and Japan’s resilience.
‘We must create a world where peace and prosperity are accessible to all,’ she urged, emphasising the shared responsibility to prevent future generations from experiencing the horrors endured by the Hibakusha.
Joel Naoki Christopher, a Peace Boat Hibakusha Project youth representative and co-founder of Equiano Institute echoed the same sentiments, highlighting the importance of learning from the past.
‘We are not here to bring the world to heaven, but to save it from hell,’ said Christopher.
He said these profound words are sentimental for those who have endured the horrors of war, such as the victims of atomic bombings, as they continue to tell their stories in hope for history not to repeat itself.
In addition, he said, despite the immense suffering the Hibakusha have witnessed and endured, they have refused to remain silent to the eminent threat of the usage of nuclear weapons which continues to loom.
‘They have courageously spoken truth to power, ensuring that the world does not forget the barbarism and atrocities of war. Their unwavering commitment to peace serves as a source of inspiration for people everywhere,’ said Christopher.
Christopher emphasises it is vital for young people to heed these lessons.
‘We must not grow complacent or indifferent to the threats to peace that persist in our world. Instead, we must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing these challenges, recognising that the consequences of inaction can be dire,’ says Christopher.
He further said, ‘By remembering the lessons of the past and actively working towards a peaceful future, we can strive to create a world where the horrors of war are consigned to history, and where the pursuit of peace becomes our shared endeavour.’
