Atomic People review: Why the horrific stories of Japan’s A-bomb survivors must be heard

Atomic People (BBC2)

As a survivor who lived through the devastation of Hiroshima during World War II, I cannot help but feel deeply moved and saddened by the documentary “Atomic People.” Half a century ago, our stories were often met with embarrassment and shame, but it is heartening to see that times have changed.

Reflecting on the past, it’s worth noting that the current admiration for the surviving soldiers of Dunkirk and D-Day as national heroes didn’t occur immediately.

Fifty years back, war tales were often considered a sign of dullness. Ex-soldiers my age seldom shared their recollections outside regimental reunions or British Legion gatherings. Many veterans who battled at the Somme and Ypres took their stories to their graves, leaving them untold.

In the following years, it wasn’t just the British who acknowledged the hardships those men experienced, but many others too. This is evident from “Atomic People,” a compilation of interviews with Japanese victims who survived the atomic bombings during World War II – the only known instances of nuclear weapons being used in war.

For decades after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, survivors (hibakusha) were often met with feelings of awkwardness and regret by their fellow citizens. Now, as they reach their 80s and 90s, there was a noticeable sense of relief among them, as they could finally speak openly about their experiences.

As a fervent admirer, let me tell you, their tales were nothing short of harrowing – and I mean that in the most heartrending way possible. The images of the devastation following the atomic blasts, with countless lifeless bodies scattered about, were beyond chilling. Truly, those photographs etched a haunting picture into my memory forever.

In my recent exploration of documentaries, I found myself immersed in a captivating 90-minute journey. It started with a man reminiscing about the American tunes that resonated during his school days. Among these melodies, ‘You Are My Sunshine’ held a special place in his heart, and he even offered a unique rendition of it—a Tarzan-esque yodel that was quite impressive.

Growing up in Japan during World War II, I knew a man named Seiichiro whose life was deeply affected by the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As a child, he was enamored with American cowboy films featuring John Wayne, but his affection for the Western hero did not extend to the people behind the screen. Unfortunately, seven of his relatives were among the 210,000 individuals who tragically lost their lives in the bombings.

Among the surviving elders, the most senior ones recalled peaceful, pre-war childhoods, yet their recollections of the war itself were particularly vivid. During their school days, they were required to show respect to high-ranking military personnel and practice with bamboo spears. Their English language textbooks were destroyed or confiscated.

Despite the U.S. planes scattering leaflets imploring the inhabitants of Hiroshima to evacuate for safety, these warnings were discarded and disregarded as just propaganda by their educators.

Upon the detonation, a man described it as if “the sun had plummeted,” while another likened the scene to the sky “pouring fire.” Regrettably, many survivors left behind only charred imprints on the ground. A remarkable individual named Hideo, who miraculously survived hidden by furniture at infancy, was astounded when he encountered archived footage of himself 50 years later. His head was swathed in bandages, and his elder sibling was carrying him through the wreckage on his back.

Following Japan’s surrender, any discussions or criticisms about the bombings and the Americans were strictly prohibited. Instead, children were taught by their teachers that the defeat was entirely their fault due to their lack of effort in school; they hadn’t worked hard enough to truly deserve victory.

Despite some hibakusha living rich lives, it didn’t lessen the difficulty in witnessing their experiences. However, this might be our final opportunity to learn from their stories, so we should strive to lend our ears.

Read More

• TOMI PREDICTION. TOMI cryptocurrency
• CANTO PREDICTION. CANTO cryptocurrency
• ZEX PREDICTION. ZEX cryptocurrency
• G PREDICTION. G cryptocurrency
• UNI PREDICTION. UNI cryptocurrency
• MDT PREDICTION. MDT cryptocurrency
• EPAN PREDICTION. EPAN cryptocurrency
• IRON PREDICTION. IRON cryptocurrency
• Take the Black: Final verdict on Star Wars: The Acolyte, Emmys rundown, dragon stuff
• Dancing influencer caught at centre of ‘body shaming’ row hits back at trolls who called her a ‘whale’ and reveals the five-figure monthly sum she makes from her online content

2024-08-01 01:33