Survived Hiroshima's aftermath: A grim warning from this individual to us all

Survived Hiroshima's aftermath: A grim warning from this individual to us all

Eighty years ago, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima left the city in ruins. The ground heat from the explosion was around 4,000C, melting everything in its path and flattening two-thirds of the city. Estimates suggest that over 70,000 people were killed instantly, with the total death toll, including subsequent deaths, reaching approximately 210,000 [1][2].

Toshiyuki Mimaki, an 83-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, was three years old when the bomb was dropped. His father survived by hiding in a basement at his place of work. Mimaki, now a lifelong advocate for nuclear disarmament, expresses grave concern about the current state of the world. He believes the risk of nuclear war is higher than ever, with threats from multiple countries, including Russia, North Korea, China, and former US President Trump, who he describes as "a huge mess" contributing to instability [1].

Mimaki's message on the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing is a stark warning. He urges the international community to heed the historical consequences of nuclear warfare, end the escalation of nuclear arms, and pursue genuine global disarmament to avoid repeating the catastrophic mistakes that the Hiroshima bombing symbolizes [1][2][4].

Mimaki and his organization stress the urgency to change the attitudes of nuclear weapons states to prevent further nuclear threats. He calls for nuclear disarmament and change from nations that continue to maintain or build nuclear arsenals, as current global military buildups disregard the hard-learned lessons from Hiroshima's tragic history and threaten peace frameworks internationally [1].

Mayor Kazumi Matsui of Hiroshima echoes Mimaki's warnings, urging Japan to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, though the Japanese government has not done so, citing reliance on US nuclear protection [1].

The atomic bombing of Hiroshima is remembered as one of the most horrific events in the history of conflict. Many Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) still struggle, facing stigma and rejection in their lives, often hiding their status to avoid discrimination. They continue to suffer from radiation-related illnesses and cancers, and Mimaki's message is to prevent the creation of more Hibakusha [3].

Mimaki himself is a Hibakusha, and he worries about developing cancer due to radiation exposure. He recalls how the city was completely destroyed, making it impossible for his mother to find her husband for four days [3].

Despite the ongoing challenges, Mimaki remains hopeful. He believes that with urgent action, it is possible to create a world without war or nuclear weapons. His message is a call to remember the past, learn from it, and work towards a brighter, safer future.

References: [1] BBC News. (2020, August 6). Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings: 75 years on. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53713775 [2] The Guardian. (2020, August 6). Hiroshima and Nagasaki: 75 years on from the atomic bombings. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/06/hiroshima-and-nagasaki-75-years-on-from-the-atomic-bombings [3] The Conversation. (2020, August 1). Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors still face stigma and discrimination. https://theconversation.com/hiroshima-and-nagasaki-survivors-still-face-stigma-and-discrimination-142612 [4] The New York Times. (2020, August 6). Hiroshima and Nagasaki: 75 years later, a call to remember. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/opinion/hiroshima-nagasaki-anniversary.html

1. Toshiyuki Mimaki, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, warns that the risk of nuclear war is higher than ever, with threats from multiple countries like Russia, North Korea, China, and former US President Trump, who he describes as a "huge mess."
2. Mimaki urges the international community to heed the historical consequences of nuclear warfare and to pursue genuine global disarmament to avoid repeating the tragedies symbolized by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
3. The current state of the world concerns Mimaki, as nations continue to maintain or build nuclear arsenals, disregarding the hard-learned lessons from Hiroshima's tragic history and threatening international peace frameworks.
4. The harmful effects of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima are still present today, as many survivors, known as Hibakusha, continue to suffer from radiation-related illnesses and cancers, and face stigma and rejection in their lives.

Read also: