Economist Podcasts That history should not repeat: Hiroshima’s storytellers
Aug 7, 2020
Noah Snyder, The Economist's Tokyo bureau chief, discusses the urgent need to preserve the stories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, highlighting personal accounts and their mission to prevent future tragedies. Wendelin von Bredow, the roving Europe correspondent, analyzes the political landscape in Belarus as President Lukashenko faces challenges from a fresh opposition, signaling potential shifts in governance. The conversation touches on the implications of these narratives within a global context, blending history with contemporary politics.
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Hiroshima Survivor
- Takeoka Chisako, a 17-year-old, survived the Hiroshima bombing while looking for her mother.
- She later became a hibakusha, sharing her story globally to prevent future atomic tragedies.
Denshosha Project
- The Denshosha project trains volunteers to retell hibakusha stories, preserving the emotional impact for future generations.
- This addresses the concern of fading wartime memories as survivors age.
Japan's Wartime Legacy
- Japan's focus on Hiroshima's victimhood overshadows its wartime atrocities, causing tension with countries like China and Korea.
- Despite this, pacifism remains deeply ingrained in Japanese society, influencing views on their military and constitution.