Nuclear disarmament education and the experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Abstract

The communication of the experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki appears to be facing a real problem. This needs to be addressed urgently because the hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) are aging rapidly, and when they die, they will take with them the only first-hand knowledge of the unspeakable horrors of nuclear destruction. We must consider new ways to teach children about war and the prospects for peace. We need new approaches which enable the next generation to feel connected to the tragedy in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And at the same time, we need to feel empowered to take a stand for peace and make a difference in our lives and in the world. In this article, the importance of nuclear disarmament education in a wider context of peace education is stressed and suggestions are offered to improve current nuclear disarmament education in Japan, and elsewhere.