This year marks the 80 years of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945.

In recognition of this significant milestone, Japan House London hosts a special talk featuring two hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors), Iida Kunihiko and Yahata Teruko. Both speakers have been designated ‘Special Communicators for a World without Nuclear Weapons’ by the Japanese government. These Special Communicators share their personal experiences of the Hiroshima bombing: testimonies that convey the consequence of the use of nuclear weapons.

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from those who lived through one of history’s most devastating events (it is estimated that by the end of December 1945, when acute radiation effects had mostly subsided, approximately 140,000 people had died). We also welcome Inoue Tsugumi, Masumoto Natsumi and Yahata Meg to Japan House London, who are committed to preserving and passing on hibakusha experiences to future generations.

This event offers a chance to learn about the reality of the atomic bombings and reflect on the importance of peace and nuclear disarmament.

Please note that the event contains graphic and potentially distressing content.

Please note that filming and photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what we offer. If you have any concerns, pleasecontact us onlineor contact a member of the team on site.

 

About theSpeakers

Iida Kunihiko was born in Manchuria (Northeastern China) in 1942. After losing his father in World War II at the age of two, he returned to Hiroshima shortly before the atomic bombing. His mother and sister died from the effect of the bomb, and he was raised by relatives. He graduated from Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial High School and worked for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Caterpillar Mitsubishi. After retiring, he held roles such as director of the Toyama Family Court Mediation Association and vice president of both the Toyama and Higashi-Hiroshima UNESCO Associations. With a background in psychology, he has served as chairman of the Japan Transactional Analysis Association, advisor to the Chubu Psychological Counselling Association, and as a university professor and lecturer. Since the bombing, he has faced ongoing health issues, including brain tumour surgeries, thyroid tumours under observation, anaemia, and chromosomal abnormalities.

Yahata Teruko was born in Hiroshima in 1937. She was 8 years old at the time of the atomic bombing. In 2013, she was appointed a Special Communicator for a World without Nuclear Weapons by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. She participated in the Peace Boat’s “Hibakusha World Voyage – Testimonies from the Survivors.” Since 2019, she has been active as a hibakusha testimony speaker at the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation.