Advertisement第120回日本精神神経学会学術総会

Abstract

第114巻第3号

A-bomb Experience and Hibakusha Lives
Tadatoshi AKIBA
Professor, Hiroshima University
Psychiatria et Neurologia Japonica 114: 243-249, 2012

 The A-bomb experience of Hiroshima may shed light on the reconstruction plan of the Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and on implementing middle to long range care plans for the victims of the catastrophe. An important element in the success of Hiroshima’s reconstruction was the understanding of the realities of everyday life of citizens and hibakusha by local and national government, and incorporation of those points of view into the reconstruction plan. Sharing of accurate and fair information about the disaster,restoration, and reconstruction with citizens was and still is a prerequisite for success.
 To convey learned lessons from the Hiroshima experience, three books are helpful: “A-bomb Mayor”by Shinzo Hamai, “The Meaning of Survival”compiled by the Chugoku Shimbun and “The Children of the A-bomb”compiled by Arata Osada. They help understand the history of hibakusha psychology from the point of view of their everyday lives and may help those affected by the Earthquake and Tsunami.
 To summarize the history of psychological changes among the hibakusha, three key transitional pairs of statements used widely by them over the span of 66 years help show the change in their attitude and emotional outlook. Each pair consists of an expression from the period immediately following the bombing and a second more recent expression :
 ① Transition from “I would rather die.”to “I am glad I am alive.”
 ② Transition from “I would rather forget.”to “We should not forget.”
 ③ Transition from “You will understand if you are a victim.”to “No one else should ever suffer as we did.”

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