Eighty years later, a Hibakusha shares their account in English, advocating for dialogue for peace
Survivor Teruko Yahata Advocates for Nuclear Disarmament
Teruko Yahata, an 88-year-old survivor of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, continues to be a powerful voice for nuclear disarmament. Yahata was just 8 years old when the bomb exploded, an event that left an indelible mark on her life.
On that fateful day, Yahata was standing outside when the atomic bomb detonated near the hypocenter. Upon regaining consciousness, she found herself at the front entrance of her home, having been hurled 5 or 6 meters. She describes the sky as flashing a pale blue, similar to a huge fluorescent light. The explosion occurred approximately 2.5 kilometers from her home, in the backyard.
Yahata sustained a cut on her forehead during the explosion, which left a scar that remains visible to this day. When she tried to drop to the ground, she blacked out. Despite these harrowing experiences, Yahata's account of the atomic bombing is based on her personal experiences.
Yahata is recognized by the Hiroshima city government as an official witness, a hibakusha. She has been an active advocate for nuclear disarmament, emphasizing the catastrophic human impact of nuclear weapons. Her advocacy focuses on raising awareness of the human suffering caused by nuclear weapons and urging international efforts for their elimination.
Her contributions remain significant amid international challenges in nuclear treaty negotiations and strain in efforts to control nuclear proliferation. Yahata's testimony has been part of broader campaigns commemorating events like the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima's bombing, linking personal survivor narratives with ongoing disarmament dialogues.
In interviews and statements, Yahata highlights the indiscriminate destruction inflicted by the bomb and stresses the importance of continuing to tell the story to support the global Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Recent interviews capture her determination: “As long as I live, I want to continue telling,” she said, underscoring the role of survivor testimonies in nuclear disarmament advocacy.
Yahata began studying English five years ago, a testament to her commitment to sharing her experiences with a wider audience. She believes that dialogue and resolution are the path to peace, and her advocacy continues to inspire hope for a nuclear-free world.
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