Students from the U.S. and Brazil Cultural Exchange Program Hear Testimony from Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivor

On July 5, students and faculty members participating in the 2026 Japan Cultural Exchange Program from four universities in the United States and Brazil—institutions that maintain academic exchange agreements with the Kake Educational Institution—attended a lecture in Hiroshima by Mr. Satoshi Tanaka, Representative Director of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), recipient of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. Sharing his personal experiences as an atomic bomb survivor (hibakusha), Mr. Tanaka urged the participants to work toward a world free of nuclear weapons, saying, "I hope each of you will think about what you can do, use your wisdom, and take action. I especially place my hopes in the energy of young people." His message deeply resonated with the students.

The delegation consisted of 17 students and three faculty members from Wright State University and the University of Findlay in Ohio, U.S., and the Federal University of Paraná and the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Brazil. Since the early 1980s, this cultural exchange program has been held almost every year. During their annual visit to Japan, participants visit educational institutions operated by the Kake Educational Institution, including Okayama University of Science and Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts, where they interact with Japanese students. In Hiroshima, they visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and learn about peace through firsthand accounts from atomic bomb survivors. This year's program was held over 16 days, from June 25 to July 10.

At the beginning of his lecture, Mr. Tanaka told the students, "Humanity now stands at the crossroads between survival and annihilation. As you listen to my story, I ask you to reflect on it in the context of your own lives today."

He then recounted how, at the age of one year and five months, he entered Hiroshima with his mother shortly after the atomic bombing and was exposed to radiation. He also described the severe hardships he and many other survivors faced in the postwar years.

"Since the atomic bombings, about 600,000 people have died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Around 100,000 survivors, including myself, are still alive today. Even 80 years later, some people are still applying for official survivor certificates. There are also many second- and third-generation descendants of survivors. This shows that the consequences of the bombings continue today and will continue into the future. I hope you understand that Hiroshima is not simply a story from the distant past."

Mr. Tanaka also spoke about ongoing efforts to abolish nuclear weapons.

"One achievement that finally came from our long-standing appeals was the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). It was adopted by the United Nations nine years ago. Ever since then, we have continued to call on countries to join the treaty and to encourage nuclear-armed states to participate so that nuclear weapons can ultimately be eliminated."

He described Nihon Hidankyo's advocacy efforts, including appeals to leaders of nuclear-armed nations and public awareness campaigns around the world. Referring to the Doomsday Clock—which currently stands at 89 seconds to midnight, its closest point ever, symbolizing humanity's proximity to global catastrophe due to threats such as nuclear war and climate change—he urged, "Let's move it back to two minutes, then three, then four. Let us be angrier about nuclear weapons, the root of all evil. Let us pool our wisdom and continue this struggle together."

Reflecting on the lecture, Fernando Sanada Galperin of the Federal University of Paraná said, "Learning about the experiences of atomic bomb survivors made me think much more deeply about world peace and helped me understand the importance of Nihon Hidankyo's work. I also realized how profoundly war can change people's lives. From now on, I hope to work alongside Nihon Hidankyo in sharing the importance of peace with people around the world."

Destiny Gibson of Wright State University also shared her impressions: "Although Mr. Tanaka experienced the immense tragedy of the atomic bombing, he has devoted himself to advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons by engaging with people from many countries and appealing directly to the leaders of nuclear-armed states. I was also deeply moved to learn that he experienced discrimination as an atomic bomb survivor but never allowed that to discourage him. Instead, he continued to advance the anti-nuclear movement with determination, a lifelong commitment that ultimately contributed to Nihon Hidankyo receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. His story and his resilience left a lasting impression on me."