75 years after the atomic bombing About 70% of Americans "No need for nuclear weapons"

75 years after the atomic bombing About 70% of Americans "No need for nuclear weapons" 21:21, August 3

As it has been 75 years since the atomic bombing, NHK conducted a questionnaire survey targeting the younger generation of Japan and the United States, and as a result, about 70% of Americans answered that "we do not need nuclear weapons."
Experts point out, "In the United States, the perception that "the war has ended by the atomic bomb" has changed, especially in the younger generation."

NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting Station has been 75 years since the atomic bombing, and as a "Peace awareness survey," a questionnaire survey was conducted on the Internet for Hiroshima prefecture, all regions except Hiroshima prefecture, and 18-34 year-olds in the United States. It was

Approximately 1,000 people in each of the three groups, more than 3,000 people in total, responded and compared the differences in their consciousness and way of thinking.

Among them, when asked about the necessity of "nuclear weapons", the total number of nuclear warheads is estimated to be about 13,400 in the world, it was found that both Hiroshima prefecture and the whole country except Hiroshima prefecture showed the same tendency. Approximately 85% of Japanese replied, "No need."

Furthermore, even in the United States, which possesses nuclear weapons, more than 70% answered that they do not need it.

The most common reason for this is that "many people will be killed or injured," followed by "too destructive" or "there are other ways to solve problems." Was seen a lot.

In addition, when I asked Americans about the fact that the United States dropped the atomic bomb 75 years ago, 41.6% of the respondents said that "it was unforgivable", surpassing 31.3% who answered "it was a necessary decision". ..

Although it is not possible to make a simple comparison because the survey methods are different, a survey conducted by the American public opinion research organization, Pew Research Center, five years ago and 70 years after the war, showed that the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were 18 Forty-seven percent of young Americans aged 29 to 29 said they were "justified."

Professor Takao Takahara of Meiji Gakuin University, who specializes in international politics and is familiar with nuclear disarmament, said, ``The myth that “the war could be ended by dropping the atomic bomb” continued in the United States for a long time and it is still accepted, but the effects of education etc. Has changed the perception of the younger generation over the last 10 years.”

Over 80% of Americans want to know more about the atomic bomb

After the war, I asked, "Do you want to know more about the atomic bomb?" in connection with the fact that the atomic bomb victims continued to appeal the misery of the atomic bomb damage from Hiroshima and abroad.

As a result, 76.5% in Hiroshima prefecture and 68.7% in the whole country except Hiroshima answered that they would like to know, but 80.5% were Americans, which is higher than Japanese.

In addition, in response to the question, "Have you heard about the experience of being bombed by survivors?", 75.3% of respondents answered in Hiroshima Prefecture, 47% in all other countries except Hiroshima, and in the United States. It was 34.8%.

More than half of Americans answered that they "browsed on the Internet" about how to do this, and the Internet plays a major role in video posting sites and online meeting tools.

On the other hand, among those who replied “I have never heard of it”, more than 60% of people in the United States replied “I want to hear about their experiences with the atomic bomb,” indicating that the younger generation in the United States is more interested in the atomic bomb than Japan.

Expert “A growing interest among the younger generation”

Professor Takao Takahara of Meiji Gakuin University, who specializes in international politics and is familiar with nuclear disarmament, said, ``Knowing what happened under the mushroom cloud, I was able to experience hell that can not be said in words,'This is no good. The number of questionnaires reflects the feelings of a human being, “I wonder.” The myth that the war could have been ended by the atomic bombing has long been accepted in the United States and is still accepted, but it has been recognized in the last 10 years or so. This is the effect of education in the United States, and many people have a deep-rooted spirit of wanting to know more about the truth when they think this issue is important." He pointed out that there is growing interest among the younger generation of what happened as a result of the bombing of their country.

He added that the Trump administration is also promoting the modernization of nuclear weapons, and said, "A lot of American young people said, "It's better not to have nuclear weapons." The war itself is not good.” Although the national system premised on the war continues to exist internationally, the challenge is to change this to a new one, and young people are still talking about it. It's not done, but I think it's a real feeling."

Woman testifying in English

Keiko Ogura (82) of Hiroshima City, who was exposed to the bomb at the age of 8 and has been witnessing in English for many years, commented on the awareness of the younger generation in the United States, "The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima is now having a greater impact. When I imagined that I had the power, I wondered what would happen if I used it, and amplify the fear felt by Hiroshima with their imagination and think of it as my own. I think it's getting stronger."

In addition, regarding the online testimony of the atomic bomb, "Through the Internet, limited and partial things were widely spread, and everyone was able to think of them as their own. It is difficult for us to come and go now, but a lot of emails come in and people say, “I want to listen to you somehow.” From Hiroshima, even more, even in Japanese, you can send it by adding English subtitles to the video. I think it will be quite effective," he said.

Survivor A-bomb survivor "Expectations for the younger generation"

Setsuko Setsuko, a Canadian resident in Hiroshima who continued to appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons around the world and made a speech at the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony three years ago (88) was among the activities of the younger generation in the United States. It is said that he is feeling a change in consciousness of the drop and nuclear weapons.

Regarding the results of the survey, Thurlow said, "Among the young people in the United States, there is a tendency to reconsider whether the attitude that justifies the atomic bombing is correct or not. The only problem with nuclear weapons is Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Every time we hold a meeting, we feel that it is a global issue that is not related to the above, but is a global issue that is relevant to me.”

Mr. Thurlow is not online in each country due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but he is doing online, but he said, ``The influence of the new coronavirus is the inability of human society, the future, my life, the happiness of my family. I think that such an important problem is getting closer to me.It is wonderful that I can talk to people from various countries many times a day without exhausting my physical strength. The number of people will decrease, but we want to make it possible for us as survivors to do their best as much as possible by using new technologies."

In addition, the activities of the global warming problem and the problem of poverty, which are spreading all over the world, are said to be centered on the younger generation. It is based on the belief that cherishing will make the whole of society better and safer, and now international politics are getting tougher and there is darkness in front of us, but not in despair. I feel that we are in an era of hope," he said.