Meet the survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings

On the morning of 6 August 1945, six-year-old Toshiko Tanaka was walking to school when US Air Force bomber, the Enola Gay, flew over the city of Hiroshima and dropped Little Boy, the first atom bomb ever used. Toshiko was 2.3km away from the hypocentre of the blast, but she still suffered burns to her head, right arm and the back left side of her neck. She had a high fever from that night and lost consciousness, but was somehow able to survive. Out of a population of 350,000, it is estimated that between 100,000 to 180,000 were killed by the Hiroshima blast.

Three days later another atomic bomb dubbed Fat Man, was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, killing up to 100,000 people. Tadayoshi Ogawa was just an infant and doesn’t remember the blast. He was evacuated from the city but was exposed to radiation when his family returned days later to check on their home. An amateur photographer, he is actively collecting photographs taken on each Nagasaki Day at 11:02, the time the bomb was dropped. He aims to collect 1,000 such photographs by the centenary of the bombing.  

CND and the Quakers are honoured to invite supporters to hear from Toshiko and Tadayoshi in person, when Japanese-based NGO Peace Boat visits London this June. 

• Sunday, 2 June
• Arrive 11:30am for refreshments, event starts at 12 noon
• Friends Meeting House, 173 Euston Road, London, register here

This event is a rare opportunity to hear directly from those impacted by humanity’s most dangerous creation. It will be followed by family friendly workshops including art workshops, Japanese crane folding and a performance by dramatist Michael Mears.

The event is supported by NIS, UNA, Scientists for Global Responsibility, Medact, Labrats, Mayors for Peace, Pax Christi, NFLA, and WILPF UK. For any queries please contact [email protected].