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[Report] A Peace Trip to Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Students of Ritsumeikan University and American University go to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August every year since 1995. There are not only Japanese students but also international students from Ritsumeikan University who attend the peace trip. For example, there were students from China, Korea, Thailand, Bangladesh and Britain. First it is expected that students read a book called Hiroshima by John Hersey(1946) and learn what really happened on August 6 in 1945. Then they visit various places related to the book and also peace museums such as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum,
Atomic Bomb Museum in Nagasaki, Oka Masaharu Memorial Nagasaki Peace Museum and so forth.Students learn much one another realizing that their historical perspectives are quite different. Students from the USA, China and Korea tend to be shocked to know the result of the atomic bombing because they were taught that World War II ended because of the atomic bombing. They had not learned that it was not necessary to use the atomic bombs and how much hibakusha(atomic bomb victims) suffered from the effects of the atomic bombing, especially radiation. They found that they would be the last generation who could listen to hibakusha directly because atomic bomb survivors are getting older and older.
On the other hand, Japanese students tend to be shocked to learn the result of Japan’s aggression of other nations and how much people in China, Korea and other countries had suffered during World War II when they visit Oka Masaharu Memorial Nagasaki Peace Museum where Japan’s aggression is exhibited. This is because they had not studied Japan’s aggression at school and it was not reported much in the media.
Students tend to be impressed to attend Shiroyama elementary school where many children and teachers were killed by an atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 9. They began to understand why hibakushas continue to make efforts to convey their atomic bombed experiences to future generations after seeing innocent children who wish for peace.
It is indeed life changing experiences to go on the peace trip. It is a good chance to learn lessons from the past and think what students can do for the peaceful future, and also to make good friends after spending ten days together. Please join the peace trip !
Kazuyo Yamane: Vice Director of