Survey Finds 1,999 Descendants Active in A-Bomb Survivors Group as 13 Prefectural Organizations Dissolve

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations reported that 1,999 children and grandchildren of atomic bomb survivors participate in activities at entities linked to the group. Yoshinori Omura, chair of the second-generation committee, presented the findings at the organization's general assembly in Tokyo on June 17.

The survey, conducted between December and January, drew responses from 32 organizations in 31 prefectures.

It identified 18 second-generation organizations in 17 prefectures that cooperate with Nihon Hidankyo and counted 1,999 active members, including third-generation participants. Members have held exhibitions on the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, collected signatures and shared their parents' accounts.

Prefectural organizations have dissolved in 13 prefectures because of the aging of hibakusha members.

The survey found second-generation members holding top leadership positions at five organizations in Toyama, Yamanashi, Shimane, Kumamoto and Oita prefectures. They serve as deputy leaders at nine entities and as top secretaries at 10 groups. Some second-generation participants described difficulties.

One said they lacked direct experience of the bombings and could not speak clearly about them. Others noted trouble expanding membership and uncertainty about continuing activities once the number of hibakusha reaches zero. The average age of hibakusha stood at 86.66 as of the end of March, according to the welfare ministry.

Japan will mark the 81st anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings next month. Nihon Hidankyo plans to decide by June 2027 whether the second generation will assume leadership or whether the organization will dissolve when hibakusha can no longer take part. “Hibakusha have testified about their experiences and contributed to preventing nuclear war,” Omura, 70, said.