Moving Forward, Step by Step!
Janet and Claudia
When you visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, you can meet 40-year-old Claudia and 56-year-old Janet on the monitor.
Three years ago, I interviewed both of them.
St. George, the town where they live, was the backdrop for Western movies starring John Wayne,
but it was also downwind of the Nevada Test Site, where 100 atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted. As a result, the town suffered immense radiation exposure.
Claudia, who lost her daughter to leukemia, said in the interview:
“The hardest thing is having to accept that my own government killed my family.”
A year after the interview, I revisited Janet at the facility where she lived. After showing her the film,
I will never forget shaking hands with her as she lay in a mobile bed. It was an incredibly strong handshake. And her gaze—so powerful, yet so kind.
The world is full of contradictions, so much unfairness. Some people say coolly, “That’s just how the world is.”
But as radiation continues to contaminate the planet on a global scale, countless people unknowingly lose their health and their lives. We cannot turn a blind eye to this.
All we can do is give it our all. We must.
Project Meeting
We had another project meeting today!
Every project involves people in different roles: administration, shipping, accounting, list creation, social media, website management, negotiations, and more.
Until now, we didn’t have anyone overseeing everything, but from this time forward, editor Mr. Murata will take on that role!
Ms. Murata is from Tokyo and still lives there, but he also spends half of his time in Hiroshima.
She is the organizer of the Edogawa Atomic Bomb Storyteller Café, where he listens to and shares the experiences of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors). She is also planning and editing the director’s book, set for release in April.
Meanwhile, our U.S. team consists of two members managing operations. There’s a lot to think about and so much to do, but they are working hard!
In the U.S., cultural differences with Japan create challenges, and contract procedures are entirely different. Navigating these complexities is tough. We’re also considering whether the concept of self-organized screenings even exists in the U.S. If not, we may need to find a completely different approach.
There are many obstacles ahead, but we will overcome them—together!
The Captivating Voice of Tokiko Kato
Our latest YouTube update on "Ito Kantoku no Wota Uchi" is now live!
Tokiko Kato, who narrated Japanese ver. of the film SILENT FALLOUT, took on the challenge at 79 years old, recording for long hours with breathtaking expressiveness. She, Japanese singer, composer, lyricist, actress and activist, is one of the most famous figures in the Entertainment field.
Watch the full video here! 👇 (Please use the translation setting for English subtitle)
A special event featuring director Ito, Tokiko Kato, and Chieko Watanabe—the key person who made this collaboration possible—is now available.
Check it out from the link below! (Please use the translation setting for English subtitle)
Hibaku Trees Project
The Hibaku Trees Project is gaining momentum as we head into summer. The central focus, a large-scale fusuma painting, is now officially in progress.
Taking on this ambitious 7-meter-wide, 2-meter-tall masterpiece is Nihonga artist Masatsugu Ito (younger brother). Having painted massive works depicting giant trees across Japan, he is now set to take on Hiroshima’s hibaku tree.
The paper used for this project is made from recycled fabric, including discarded clothing, provided by CCF.
The project is scheduled for key dates: July 16 (anniversary of the world’s first nuclear test), August 6, and August 9. Planned exhibition locations include Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Tokyo, and the U.S.—and concrete venues are starting to take shape.
Recently, through an introduction by Ehime-based dancer Naomi Miyoshi, we welcomed Chizuko Kotani, a second-generation hibakusha from Hiroshima now living in Kobe, who expressed her desire to support the project.
We hope to involve as many artists as possible to create a powerful and far-reaching message.
Personally, I also aim to bring together testimonies from hibakusha I have interviewed over the years, transforming them into a multi-dimensional installation that allows people to experience and feel their stories.
