Prior to the founding

1954:

Movement against A- and H-bombs became widespread. Hibakusha groups were formed in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and many other parts of Japan. A Hiroshima Peace Conference against A- and H-bombs was held. Organized activities of the Hibakusha to tell their stories started in various parts of Japan.

 

 

Aug. 10, 1956 HIDANKYO was established.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　"Message to the World" was issued.
 
 

　　　　　Major international activities engaged in by HIDANKYO as organization are set out below.

1957:

Visit to Europe by Yoshiko Murato, Hibakusha, at the invitation of Prof. Joliot Curie. Visit to England, F.R.Germany and Austria by Prof. Ichiro Moritaki, the then chairman of HIDANKYO to appeal for the ban on nuclear testing.

 

Nov.- Dec. 1958:

Participation in the conference against the nuclear testing conducted by the US, USSR and speaking tour to Switzerland and FROG, by Sachiko Kawamoto, Hibakusha.

 

Feb.- Mar. 1961:

Visit to European countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Austria and FRG by Senji Yamaguchi, Hibakusha, on behalf of HIDANKYO.

 

June 1962:

Participation in Accra Peace Conference in Ghana, by Prof. Ichiro Moritaki ( the then director) on behalf of HIDANKYO.

 

July 1962:

Participation in the World Conference for General Disarmament and Peace in Moscow, by Yoshio Saito, the then executive board member, on behalf of HIDANKYO.

 

Apr.- May 1965:

Speaking tour to many cities in the Soviet Union by 7 Hibakusha, including Sakae Ito.

 

Mid 1960s to early 70s:

Sending delegates from HIDANKYO was difficult, but individual Hibakusha, who belonged to HIDANKYO frequently participated in peace actions in many parts of the world.

 

 

Sending Delegations and Other International Activities Thereafter

---

 
 

Nov. 1974:

A visit to the United Nations by Hachiro Kosasa, the then Chairman, to appeal for the prohibition of nuclear weapons.

 

Nov. 1975:

A visit to the United Nations by Hajime Yukimune, Co-chairperson, to request the holding of an international symposium on the damage and after-effects of A-bombing.

 

Nov. 1976:

A visit to the United Nations by Prof. Takeshi Ito, the then General Secretary, to request the as above.

 

July- Aug. 1977:

International Symposium on the Damage and After-effects of the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki(ISDA) was held. All-out efforts were made by HIDANKYO for the success of the symposium from the preparation stage.

 

Feb.- Mar. 1978:

Participation in the International NGO Conference on Disarmament by 9 HIDANKYO members, including Toshio Maeda, the then executive member; followed by visit to FRG, Sweden, Norway, Yugoslavia, Rumania and England.

 

May - June 1978:

28-member HIDANKYO delegation (headed by Masuto Higashi, a Co-chairperson) to the United Nations Special Session on Disarmament (UN-SSD I).

Many Hibakusha also participated in the UN-SSD I as members of the Japanese national delegation.

Each Hibakusha appealed for a ban on nuclear weapons at various parts in the United States.

 

(June 1978 Hibakusha Counseling Center was established in HIDANKYO. Director: Dr. Shuntaro Hida)

 

 

Mar.- Apr. 1980:

Participation in the peace relay in the US cities with religious figures, by 2 Hibakusha, including Masao Kayo, then executive board member.

 

(May 1981: "Nation-wide Movement to Relate the Experiences of A-bomb Sufferings in order Never to Have Any Hibakusha Again" was proposed. The testimony giving activities, in and outside Japan further developed. Citizens' tribunal movement for trying the A-bombing started across Japan. Over 200 tribunals have been held so far.)

 

May - Jun. 1981:

Visits to FRG by 2 HIDANKYO members, including Dr. Shuntaro Hida.

 

Feb. 1982:

HIDANKYO sent letters in English to appeal for the abolition of nuclear arms to heads of states of 36 countries, including the US, Soviet Union, England, France and China.

 

Mar.- Apr. 1982:

Participation in the International NGO Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, by 2 HIDANKYO members, including Yoshio Saito, then Deputy General Secretary, followed by "peace speaking tour" to Switzerland, Italy and FRG.

 

Apr. 1982:

A Japanese-English-German edition of the Pamphlet "Hibakusha" was published. Speaking tour to FRG by 3 HIDANKYO members, including Dr. Shuntaro Hida.

 

June 1982:

A 38-member HIDANKYO delegation, including Prof. Takeshi Ito and Senji Yamaguchi, the Co-chairpersons, was sent to the United Nations' Second Special Session on Disarmament (UN-SSD II).

Senji Yamaguchi made a speech in a SSD II session on behalf of the Japanese delegation (on June 23).

Dr. Shuntaro Hida and other Hibakusha attended a Peace Rally in FRG as speakers.

 

Aug. 1982:

Peace pilgrimage to 5 European countries, GDR, FRG, Italy, Holland and France, by 28 HIDANKYO members, headed by Sakae Ito, Co-chairperson.

A Japanese-English-French edition of the Pamphlet "Hibakusha" was published.

 

June 1983:

Dr. Hida participated in the Third Congress of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (Holland) and the World Assembly for Peace and Life against Nuclear War (Prague).

 

Oct. 1983:

Speaking tour to 4 European countries by 5 HIDANKYO members, including Prof. Satoru Konishi, the head of the International Commission: 3 members, including Prof. Konishi, to FRG, Dr. Hida to France and Machiyo Kurokawa, then Assistant General Secretary, to Italy and Holland.

 

Oct. 1983:

Visit of Prof. Mikiso Iwasa to England.

An English-Italian-Esperanto edition of the Pamphlet "Hibakusha" was published. The same text is also translated into Russian and Chinese for further publication of the pamphlet.

 

Oct. 1984:

Visit to French cities by Dr. Hida.

Many other Hibakusha also told their stories in foreign countries, as representatives of local Hibakusha groups or special members of other groups, or as individual Hibakusha.

 

<1985>

 

As one of the actions commemoration the 40th anniversary of the atomic bombing, HIDANKYO sent delegations to the 5 nuclear weapons states, both to urge each government to work for the total abolition of nuclear weapons and to develop activities of making known to the people of the these countries the damage and after-effects of the atomic bombing. At the same time, HIDANKYO sent Hibakusha to other countries for telling Hibakusha experiences to the people.

 

Jan.

Prof. Mikiso Iwasa took part in the Nuclear Warfare Tribunal in London.

 

Apr.

Speaking tours to FRG (by one Hibakusha) and Greece (by one Hibakusha)

 

June

(1) Co-chairperson Takeshi Ito took part in the "International Peace Forum" held in Beijing and submitted a letter addressed to the Chinese prime minister.

(2) The 10-member delegation, headed by Co-chairperson Senji Yamaguchi visited the United States and the United Nations. They submitted a letter addressed to the US president and the UN Secretary General. Active exchange was conducted with citizens at various parts of the country.

 

June- July

The 5-member delegation, headed by Co-chairperson Sakae Ito visited the Soviet Union. They submitted a letter addressed to the president. Active exchange was conducted at various places of the country.

 

Aug.

Speaking tour to Austria by three-member delegation, including Dr. Hida.

 

Sep.- Oct.

The 10-member delegation, headed by Co-chairperson Takeshi Ito, visited China for talks with government officials and citizens.

 

Oct.

(1) The 7-member delegation, headed by Prof. Mikiso Iwasa, member of the board of directors, visited the UK. They submitted a letter addressed to the prime minister and had talks with many citizens at different parts of the country.

(2) The 5-member delegation, headed by Dr. Shuntaro Hida, Director of the Hibakusha Counseling Center, visited France. They submitted a letter addressed to the President. Exchange with citizens was carried out at various places of the country.

 

Nov.

The 2-member delegation, headed by Co-chairperson Senji Yamaguchi visited Geneva on the occasion of the US - Soviet summit meeting, and petitioned the delegations of the two countries for efforts for the urgent elimination of nuclear weapons.

 

<1986>

 

Apr.

Trans-US speaking tour by the 4-member delegation headed by Co-chairperson Senji Yamaguchi.

Petition to the heads of participating countries in the Tokyo Summit for the

abolition of nuclear weapons.

 

May

The 2-member delegation, headed by Prof. Takeshi Ito, Co-chairperson, visited Moscow to participate in the "2nd All Soviet Scientists Conference on the Problems of Peace and Prevention of Nuclear War".

 

June

HIDANKYO sent a representative to the petition action for a ban on nuclear tests at Nevada.

 

July - Aug.

HIDANKYO sent a representative to the 9th International Student Peace School in the Soviet Union.

 

Aug.

HIDANKYO sent a representative to the "10-Days of Peace" action carried out in Greece.

 

Sep.

The 5-member delegation, headed by Satoru Konishi, head of the International Commission of HIDANKYO, took part in the "International Peace Seminar" sponsored by the IPB held in Crete, Greece.

 

Sep.- Oct.

Sumiteru Taniguchi and other three members visited the United States to join in the actions of disseminating the damage and after-effects of the atomic bombing.

 

Oct.

The 2-member delegation, headed by Co-chairperson Sakae Ito participated in the "Asia-Pacific Regional Women's Conference" held in Tashkent, the Soviet Union.

 

Oct.- Nov.

HIDANKYO sent a representative to Greece for the peace action of women's organizations.

 

Nov.

Visits to embassies of 5 nuclear powers in Japan for petitioning the early conclusion of an international treaty for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

 

Dec.

HIDANKYO sent a protest against the remark of US Senator Brooks that 4atomic bombs should have been dropped.

 

<1987>

 

Jan.

Petition was made to the Soviet Union against the resumption of nuclear tests, while request was made to the United States to withdraw the president's decision to conduct nuclear tests.

 

Feb.

On the occasion of the Soviet resumption of nuclear tests, HIDANKYO sent letters of protest to the Soviet Union and petition to the United States.

 

Mar.

Visits to embassies of the United States and the Soviet Union for requesting both presidents to work for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

 

May

Co-chairperson Takeshi Ito visited Beijing for talks with the Chinese Association for Peace and Disarmament.

 

June

The 5-member delegation, headed by Co-chairperson Sakae Ito, participated in the "World Women's Conference" held in Moscow.

 

Oct.

The 2-member delegation, headed by Shuntaro Hida, Director of the Hibakusha Counseling Center, visited Italy and West Germany for informing the people of the damage of the atomic bombing.

 

Nov.

Visits to embassies of 5 nuclear powers in Japan for petitioning for the early conclusion of an international treaty for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

 

<1988>

 

Since the Third UN Special Session on Disarmament was to be held in June this year, HIDANKYO's domestic activities were carried out closely connected with the campaigns for a success of the SSD III.

 

Mar.

Visits to embassies of 5 nuclear powers in Japan for petitioning for the early conclusion of an international treaty for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

 

Apr.

(1) The 2-member delegation, headed by Co-chairperson Senji Yamaguchi, participated in the "Disarmament Forum" held by the Special NGO Committee for Disarmament in Geneva, and called for the abolition of nuclear weapons from their experiences of the A-bomb suffering.

(2) New booklet (both Japanese and English editions) entitled Atomic Bomb Victims' Appeal: 1988 Documentwas published on the basis of the survey of the A-bomb victims conducted by HIDANKYO in 1985. This report of the A-bomb damage, including an appeal for the elimination of nuclear weapons, was sent to many peace-loving people of the world over.

 

May

The Spanish-Portuguese edition of the pamphlet "Hibakusha" were published. A total of 120,000 copies have been sent to about 120 countries so far.

 

June

The 23-member delegation, headed by Co-chairperson Takeshi Ito, was sent to the US to take part in the events relating to the SSD III. Ito made a speech in the UN General Assembly. The delegation activity conducted petitions to the UN missions of 39 countries, and joined in actions in New York and San Francisco and made a speaking tour to Boston and Washington, DC.

 

Aug.

One representative of HIDANKYO took part in Acropolis Action Greece.

 

Sep.- Oct.

Dr. Shuntaro Hida visited Germany for a speaking tour.

 

<1989>

 

Feb.

Co-chairperson Senji Yamaguchi took part in the 4th International Conference of Nuclear-free Zones Local Authorities held in Eugene, the US.

 

Mar.- Apr.

The 6-member delegation, headed by Dr. Shuntaro Hida, visited Boston, the US for a speaking tour.

 

Aug.

One representative of HIDANKYO took part in the peace action conducted in Oak Ridge, the US.

 

Oct.

(1) The English edition of the collection of accounts of 1000 Hibakusha (volume I and II), entitled "Witness of Those Two Days" was published and sent to many peace organizations of the world.

(2) The 5-member delegation visited the US for presenting the above booklets to the UN and had talks with US citizens. They visited Washington, DC, New York and Boston.

 

Nov.

Petitions to embassies of the US, the Soviet Union, UK, France and China for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

 

<1990>

 

On the mounting of the "Gulf Crisis" in August, HIDANKYO promptly pointed out the danger of nuclear war, and not only urged the Iraqi government to immediately withdraw from Kuwait, but called on the nations concerned, including Japan and the US, the UN and the world opinion, to work to "prevent nuclear war, eliminate nuclear weapons", "not to create Hibakusha in the Middle East", and to "wage all efforts for setting the conflict by peaceful means". HIDANKYO conducted street campaigns as demonstrations and signature collections.

 

Aug.- Sep.

The 6-member delegation, headed by Director Hirotami Yamada, visited Kiev, Ukraine, for meeting with the victims of Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident.

 

Oct.

(1) The 2-member delegation, headed by Prof. Satoru Konishi, Assistant General Secretary, took part in the general assembly of the German branch of the IPPNW held in Bonn, Germany.

(2) Requesting the embassies of Iraq, the US and other nuclear-weapons powers to work to bring the crisis in the Gulf to a peaceful settlement.

 

Nov.

Requesting the embassies of Iraq, the US and other nuclear-weapons power to prevent the outbreak of war in the Gulf.

 

<1991>

 

Jan.

Issuing an appeal in which HIDANKYO demanded that the Gulf War be immediately ended; biological, chemical and nuclear powers, the Gulf countries, the Japanese government and peace organizations of the world.

 

Feb.

(1) Protest against the remark of US Secretary of Defense Cheyney that Truman's decision of dropping the atomic bombs was right.

(2) Many different forms of campaigns for an immediate end of the Gulf War.

 

July

Open letter to the US president, denouncing the remarks made by US officials trying to justify the use of nuclear weapons.

 

Sep.

(1) The first volume of the English booklet, the "Deaths of Hibakusha" was published.

(2) Speaking tour to 10 cities in Germany by the 4-member delegation, including Sumiteru Taniguchi.

 

Oct.

Visit to Auschwitz. The 51-member delegation, headed by General Secretary Yoshio Saito, visited the memorial institutions of Auschwitz and had meetings with the Nazi victims. On their way back to Japan, they visited the Resistance Museum in Paris, France and the house of Anne Frank in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Meetings were held with peace-loving people of these countries.

 

<1992>

 

May

Participation in the "World Court Project" launch meeting. Prof. Satoru Konishi, Assistant General Secretary, and Dr. Shuntaro Hida, Director of the Hibakusha Counseling Center, made special reports in the meeting.

 

Aug.

HIDANKYO sponsored the "No More Hibakusha - the People's Gathering" in Hiroshima, which was joined by the representatives of the US atomic soldiers, the victims of nuclear tests in Nevada (US) and Semipalatinsk (former Soviet Union), the Marshall Islands and French Polynesia.

 

<1993>

 

May

Visit to Semipalatinsk for survey and information exchange with the victims by the 4-member delegation, headed by Assistant General Secretary Satoru Konishi.

 

July

Visit to the Nevada downwind area for investigation and meeting with the people, by the 4-member delegation, headed by Assistant General Secretary Satoru Konishi.

 

Aug.

"Appeal from Nuclear-Weapon Victims to the World" was adopted in the forum in Nagasaki, where talks and information exchange were held with the nuclear test victims of the former Soviet Union (Semipalatinsk and Altai), the US (Nevada and atomic soldiers), Marshall Islands and Polynesia.

 

Oct.

Co-chairperson Senji Yamaguchi participated in the UN Presentation meeting of the World Court Project (New York) and the discussion meeting held in Boston.

 

Dec.

Sending to the heads of 182 countries an appeal calling for the conclusion of an international treaty for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

 

<1994>

 

Feb.

HIDANKYO was nominated by the IPB for the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize. (Please refer to Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize)

 

Apr.

(1) Requesting the embassies in Tokyo to support the "Appeal to the World".

(2) Founding the "World Court Project Japan Center" with two lawyers' groups and publishing the "Non-Governmental Statement" on the illegality of the use of nuclear weapons. HIDANKYO urged the Japanese government to submit a statement on the basis of the real damage and effect of the atomic bombing.

 

May

(1) The Non-Governmental Statement was sent to 182 member states of the UN, the WHO and peace organizations of the world.

(2) English News "HIBAKUSHA" was published.

(3) Prof. Satoru Konishi, Assistant General Secretary, took part in the meeting of the Special NGO Committee for Disarmament (Geneva). As one of international joint actions commemorating the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombing, he proposed to hold an "international symposium on the damage and effects of the A-bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and from the nuclear arms race, compensation and relief for the victims, and the abolition of nuclear weapons" in Japan in the summer of 1995.

 

June

HIDANKYO strongly condemned the Japanese government for trying to submit the International Court of Justice a statement, saying that the use of nuclear weapons cannot be said to be a violation of International Law, and along with the rising public opinion, drove the government to delete the part. The activity of HIDANKYO and the WCP(World Court Project) Japan Center made a significant role in this achievement.

 

Aug.

Sending 3 HIDANKYO members to the Republic of Korea for having a meeting with the association of the Korean A-bomb victims.

 

Oct.

(1) Protesting against the US Senate for putting pressure on the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum to change the contents of the exhibition of the Enola Gay, US plane which dropped the A-bomb, saying that the atomic bombing of August 1945, was an "act of mercy".

(2) Protest against China for carrying out a nuclear test.

(3) The 15-member delegation of the local Hibakusha organization of Tokyo, including the Assistant General Secretary Hidenori Yamamoto visited the facilities relating to nuclear tests in Nevada and Los Alamos, and had meetings with nuclear victims and citizens.

 

Dec.

(1) The "Hibakusha Aid Law" was enacted in the Diet. The Japanese government had long rejected the legislation, but was pressed to pass the law by the movement which was supported by the overwhelming majority of the people, including local municipalities and Diet members. Though the law is not based on the state compensation and has many problems, without the public opinion and movement of the overwhelming majority of the people, the enactment would have been impossible. This showed the strength of the Hibakusha movement.

(2) Protest against the plan of the US Postal Service Authority to issue a postage stamp which features a mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing, claiming that it would aim to justify the A-bombing.

 

<1995>

 

Feb.

The Japanese Preparatory Committee for "International Symposium: Fifty Years since the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki"" was established and sent letters of invitation under the joint names of the Special NGO Committee for Disarmament (Geneva).

 

Apr.

(1) HIDANKYO strongly protested against the remark of US President Clinton that Truman's decision was right and we did not need to apologize to Hibakusha.

(2) Sent Satoru Konishi, Assistant General Secretary, to Seminar on World Court Project and International Citizen Conference which focused on Revision Conference on NPT in UN.

 

May

Sent Shuntaro Hida, Director of Hibakusha counseling Center to "Peace Campaign for Anti-Nuclear Weapons, commemorating 50th anniversary of Hiroshima" and made speaking tours in 12 cities.

 

June

(1) 5-member delegation, including Satoru Konishi visited US in responseof the offer from Peace activists in US. The delegation protested against the plan of the exhibition of the Enola Gay at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and carried out speaking tours in 7 states.

(2) Protested against the statement of resumption of Nuclear tests, France.

(3) Sent Director Koichi Yasui to US when the exhibition of Enola Gay started by offer from 1995 Committee.

 

Aug.

(1) Sent 3-member delegation including Hidenori Yamamoto, Assistant General Secretary to US. Joined Hiroshima and Nagasaki-Day activities in different cities.

(2) Sent 3-member delegation including Director Mariko Iida to attend commemorating ceremony on Korean Hibakusha.

(3) HIDANKYO strongly protested against Nuclear tests, China and the plan on France.

 

Sep.

(1) HIDANKYO strongly protested against Nuclear tests at Muruloa of France. (After that, protested against five tests in all.)

 

Oct.

Sent 4-member delegation during the Disarmament Week in UN to petition and make speaking tours.

 

Nov.

Sent 7-member delegation including Takeshi Ito and Senji Yamaguchi, Co- chairperson to hear about Atomic-bombing at International Court of Justice. The delegation joined activities against Nuclear tests in Paris and other cities.

 

Dec.

Protested against the fifth Nuclear test of France.

 

<1996>

 

Jan.

Protested against the sixth Nuclear test of France.

 

Mar.

Published the report of International Symposium : Fifty Years since the Atomic-bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sent the report to embassies in Japan and asked them for appealing to ICJ.

 

Apr.

Sent Director Hirotami Yamada and the other to Elimination for Nuclear weapons Summit in Nevada, US and exchanged experiences with sufferers there.

 

May

Satoru Konishi, Assistant General Secretary and the other visited New Zealand and made speaking tours.

June

Protested against Nuclear tests in China.

 

July

Director Mariko Iida heard to Advisory Opinion at ICJ. (ICJ declared that the threat or use of nuclear weapons would be contrary to the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict in just any imaginable circumstance.

 

Aug.

(1) 8-member delegation made speaking tours in 24 cities in US in response of the offer from organizations for peace.

(2) 3-member delegation including Director Kumaichi Kusumoto attended memorial ceremony of Korean Atomic-Bomb sufferers in Seoul.