June Public Opinion Research Division NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute

Transcription

1 Seventy Years Later: Perpetuating Memory as Recollections of the Atomic Bombings Fade From the Opinion Survey in,, Nationwide on the Atomic Bombings 1 June 216 MASAKI Miki Public Opinion Research Division NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute 1 This article is based on the author s article Genbaku toka kara 7-nen, Usureru kioku dou kataritsugu: Genbaku Ishiki Chosa (,, Zenkoku) yori [7 Years since the Atomic Bombing:How to Pass Down Waning Memories From a Public Opinion Survey on People s Awareness of the Atomic Bombings], originally published in the November 215 issue of Hoso kenkyu to chosa [The NHK Monthly Report on Broadcast Research]. Full text in Japanese available at:

2 Abstract This paper is an analysis report on the findings of an opinion survey conducted by NHK in June 215, seventy years after the end of World War II, among people living in the city of, the city of, people nationwide (including those two cities). The survey, conducted by telephone, compares the responses of residents with nationwide responses also on a time series basis. Asked how often they talk about the atomic bombings, about two-thirds of residents said they seldom or never did, an increase compared to 21. In, 69 percent were able to give the correct date of the bombing of, the same level as in 21, but in, the proportion of respondents giving the correct date for the bombing of was 59 percent, down from 64 percent in 21, a sign that memory of the events is fading even in the city that was bombed. On the other h, only about 3 percent of the nationwide responses were able to give the correct dates for the bombings of, a substantial difference with the two cities. In response to a question on their feelings about the United States dropping atomic bombs on, in 21 more people in, throughout Japan said they can t forgive the bombing even now than those who said it was unavoidable, but in 215, the proportion of residents saying they can t forgive the bombing even now decreased to a level roughly equal to those saying it was unavoidable in those two cities. Where nuclear weapons are concerned, approximately 8 percent of people both throughout Japan in replied that it is not acceptable to either possess or use nuclear weapons. But their views on the prospects for nuclear disarmament were pessimistic, with around 7 percent believing that nuclear war could break out. Over 6 percent in all areas believed that the ravages of the atomic bombs the situation of the hibakusha (persons who were exposed to radiation from the bombing) have not been sufficiently conveyed. Today, as surviving hibakusha enter advanced age, the issue to be confronted is how to pass on the memory of the atomic bombings. 1. Introduction In his Peace Declaration at the 215 Peace Memorial Ceremony, mayor Matsui Kazumi characterized nuclear weapons as the absolute evil ultimate inhumanity. Mayor Matsui called on the people of the world to renew their determination to eliminate nuclear weapons accelerate the movement toward abolition of nuclear weapons. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the world s first atomic bomb on. Three days later, on August 9, the second atomic bomb was dropped on. By the end of December 1945, 1, people in 73, in had died. Seventy years later, in 215, the average age of hibakusha, who personally know the tragedy of the bombing, exceeded 8 years for the first time. As time goes by, opportunities to hear directly from hibakusha about their experiences are dwindling, one wonders how

3 Japanese, citizens of the only country ever to have been the target of atomic bombs, feel about perpetuating the memory of these events what they think about the current situation surrounding nuclear weapons. To learn more, NHK conducted a telephone survey among people aged 2 over in three areas,,, throughout Japan, in June NHK began conducting opinion surveys on the atomic bombings in the city of in 1971 the city of in 1972 using the face-to-face interview method. Beginning in 1975, NHK has conducted a survey in every five years in every ten years, except in But the survey method was changed from face-to-face interviews to a telephone survey in 21, the same method was used in the 215 survey (Figure 1). Accordingly, the time series analysis in this paper will be mainly compared to the 21 survey, but responses to identical questions from surveys from 25 earlier, for which a different survey method was used, will also be analyzed with that factor taken into consideration. Figure 1. Outline of Survey (21, 215) Nationwide Period Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, 215 Method Target Telephone survey (rom digit dialing) Men women aged 2 over Sample 1,973 persons 1,72 1,781 Valid responses (%) 1,13 persons(57.3%) 1,5(58.4%) 1,24(57.5%) Period Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27, 21 Method Target Telephone survey (rom digit dialing) Men women aged 2 over Sample 1,977 persons 2,89 1,72 Valid responses (%)) 1,276 persons (64.5%) 1,373(65.7%) 1,3(59.9%) 2. Focus of the Analysis This paper focuses on analyzing differences in awareness of the atomic bombings nuclear weapons depending on whether respondents lived in or nationwide, their age, whether respondents had actually been exposed in the bombings. Below are analyses of personal experience of the bombings based on area of residence, according to length of residence in or. 2 Throughout this paper refer to the cities, not the prefectures, unless otherwise noted. 3 Earlier studies quoted in the text are outlined in the table at the end of the text. For the 21 survey, see Figure 1 Nishi Kumiko, Genbaku toka kara 65 nen, Kienu kaku no kyoi: Genbaku ishiki chosa kara (Sixty-five Years After the Atomic Bombings: The Continuing Threat of Atomic Weapons, from the Public Opinion Survey on Atomic Bombs), Hoso kenkyu to chosa [NHK Monthly Report on Broadcast Research], October 21.

4 (1) Regional Differences in Personal Experience of the Bombings Respondents were given three answer choices to describe their experience to the bombings: I was personally exposed in the bombing, I was not personally exposed in the bombing but people close to me were, I was not exposed in the bombing neither were people close to me. Four percent of respondents, 7 percent in, 1 percent nationwide answered, I was personally exposed in the bombing, down from 8 percent in 18 percent in in Meanwhile, 48 percent in, 52 percent in, 9 percent nationwide answered, people close to me were exposed in the bombing. Combined with responses about whether they had personally suffered radiation exposure, over half in (52 percent) (59 percent) answered that they had been personally affected, compared to 1 percent nationwide. By age group, even among young people in their 2s 3s in about half answered that people close to me were exposed in the bombing (Figure 2). By comparison, the proportion of responses nationwide saying that someone close to them had suffered exposure was much lower: even among those aged 7 over, only 14 percent, the largest proportion, gave this answer. The number of respondents saying they had suffered exposure was small 46 in, 72 in, 7 nationwide, therefore for the purpose of analysis those numbers were combined with those of respondents answering that someone close to them had suffered radiation exposure. Figure 2. Radiation Exposure in the Bombings (215, by Age Group) 46% 2s 3s 5 45 s s s Someone close to me was exposed in the bombing 19 I was exposed in the bombing 7 over 28 I was exposed in the bombing Someone close to me was exposed in the bombing 4 Persons close to me is not defined could include acquaintances or others. According to figures released by the Ministry of Health, Labor Welfare at the end of March 215, holders of special booklets for hibakusha entitling them to health care other services numbered 58,933 persons in 34,199 persons in. Calculated as a proportion of the population aged 2 over, this means that 6 percent of people in 9 percent of people in fall into this group, proportions slightly lower than those in the survey.

5 (2) Number of Years Residing in or To see whether attitudes differed depending on length of residence in or, 5 respondents in those cities were asked how long they had lived there. In, 42 percent of residents said I have been living here since birth, higher than the 36 percent in who replied the same. About 1 percent in both said that they had been living in the respective cities for 5 years or more, but 2 percent of residents 15 percent of residents said they had lived in their cities for over 3 years to under 5 years, while 29 percent in 23 percent in said they had been living in their city for less than 3 years. In both cases, more residents reported having lived in that city for those respective lengths of time. 3. Waning Memories: Differences between / Nationwide (1) Discussion of the Atomic Bombings Respondents were asked how often they usually discussed the atomic bombings with family, work colleagues, neighbors or friends. Five percent in, 6 percent in, 2 percent throughout Japan responded that they did so often 26 percent, 29 percent, 2 percent, respectively, said they did so sometimes. In both cases, larger proportions of residents did so compared to the whole country (Figure 3). As for those who never discussed the subject, percentages were 24 percent in, 23 percent in, 38 percent nationwide. Compared to 21, fewer people in said they discussed (total for often sometimes ) the issue, while the proportion of those who did not do so (total for seldom never ) rose from 63 percent to 68 percent in from 56 percent to 65 percent in, 6 making up roughly two-thirds of people in the two cities. Throughout Japan 78 percent said they did not discuss the atomic bombings, almost the same level as five years ago. 5 Includes years of residence in districts subsequently amalgamated into the cities of. 6 When results are tabulated, actual numbers are added up recalculated as percentages therefore may not coincide with percentages simply added up (same applies below).

6 Figure 3. Frequency of Discussing the Atomic Bombings Yes No Often Sometimes Seldom Never % Nationwide Don t know, No answer Looking at changes over the long term, in 1975 half of people in said that they had discussed the atomic bombings with others, but this proportion had dropped to 37 percent in 199 (Figure 4). This percentage remained largely unchanged until 25, but decreased since 21 when the survey method was changed. Figure 4. Those Answering that They Discuss the Atomic Bombings () (%) 6 6 Face-to-face interview Telephone survey 8 Often Some 33 times

7 Let us now look at a comparison with results from five years ago by age group gender regarding a drop in the proportion of residents who say they have discussed the issue. By age group, in 21, the only age group in which the majority discussed the issue was those aged 7 over in the case of, among whom 53 percent had talked about the atomic bombings. In the 215 survey, however, the proportion saying so in this age group dropped to 39 percent, the difference among age groups has narrowed (Figure 5). Figure 5. Those Answering that They Discuss the Atomic Bombings (by Age Group) (%) s 3s s 5s 6s 7s over 2s 3s s 5s 6s 7s over Meanwhile, in 21 over 5 percent of residents aged 6 over answered that they discussed the atomic bombings, but even in this age group the proportion dropped to 38 percent in 215, eliminating the difference with younger age groups. The fact that fewer older people, who were those communicating their experiences, are talking about the atomic bombings is weakening the passing on of the events in. Looking at the male/female ratio, in 27 percent of men 34 percent of women, 28 percent of men 39 percent of women in, answered that they have talked about the atomic bombings. In both cities, a higher proportion of women have done so. Compared to five years ago, the proportion for is almost unchanged, but in fewer people, both men women, are talking about the bombings. In order to examine differences regarding exposure in the bombing, respondents who said they talked about the bombings were divided into two groups: those personally exposed or close to someone who was, an others group consisting of those who had neither been personally exposed nor knew anyone who had been (Figure 6). Compared to 37 percent in percent in who had or knew someone who had suffered exposure, the figures for the other group were 26 percent in 29 percent in.

8 Thus the proportion who had suffered personal exposure or who knew someone close to them who had was higher, the same result as in 21. However, the proportion of residents who had personally been exposed or knew someone close to them who had been declined from 51 percent in 21 to percent in 215. Looking at the results of the 215 survey in terms of length of residence in or, the proportion of those who said they discussed the bombings was high among residents who had been living there for 5 years or more (47 percent) among residents living in that city for over 3 to under 5 years (44 percent) Figure 6. Respondents Who Have Discussed the Atomic Bombings (Based on Personal Experience) Personal exposure to the bombing or know someone close who was exposed Others Personal exposure to the bombing or know someone close who was exposed Others (Parameter) (n = 586) (n=479) (n=594) (n=33) % 37 > 26 > 29 % 42 > > 32 (Parameter) (n=764) (n=461) (n=92) (n=372) Note: The inequality sign shows the examination results after comparing the numbers on either side, with > indicating that the number on the left is greater (confidence rate 95 percent) (2) Three Out of Ten Could Give Dates of the Bombings Respondents were asked to give the day, month, year of the atomic bombings in in a free answer segment of the questionnaire. 7 The proportion of those who gave the correct date for the bombing of was 69 percent in, the largest proportion, followed by 5 percent in, but only 3 percent nationwide. These percentages are almost the same as in the 21 survey. Focusing on long-term trends among residents who answered correctly, the proportion of those answering correctly remained largely unchanged from 1975 (77 percent) to 25 (74 percent) (Figure 7). The proportion has remained around 7 percent since 21, when the survey method was changed. On the other h, the proportion of those who gave the correct date for the bombing of in 215 was 59 percent in, the largest proportion, followed by 54 percent in, 26 percent nationwide. Throughout Japan, only 3 percent or fewer were able to give the correct dates for the bombing of or. Compared to five years ago, there were no significant changes in the proportions of nationwide respondents giving the correct dates, but the proportion in dropped from 64 percent. Regarding past changes in answer trends in over the life of the survey, the proportion of those who could correctly name the date of the bombing continued rising, going from 62 percent in 1975 to 9 percent in 1995 (Figure 8), but has dropped back to about 6 percent in the past five years. 7 For year, Showa 2, 1945, the year the war ended were all accepted as valid.

9 Figure 7. Proportions Who Could Give the Correct Date of the Bombing () (%) Face-to-face interview Telephone survey Note: Not surveyed in year for which no data is shown (same applies below). Figure 8. Proportions Who Could Give the Correct Date of the Bombing () (%) Face-to-face interview Telephone survey In by age group, whereas 81 percent of those in their 6s could give the correct date of the bombing, only 61 percent among those in their 2s 3s could do so (Figure 9). In by age group, 67 percent of those in their 6s were able to give the correct date of the bombing, but that figure was less than half (46 percent) among those in their 2s 3s. Compared to five years ago, the only age-based change among people in

10 was the drop from 67 percent to 57 percent among those aged 7 over in who could give the correct date of the bombing of that city. Looking at the proportion of correct answers among people in based on whether they had personally suffered exposure or knew someone close to them who had, 75 percent of those who had personally or had someone close to them who had suffered exposure gave the correct date, while the proportion giving the correct answer to the date of the bombing was 65 percent among those in who personally suffered exposure or knew someone close to them who had. These percentages in remain largely unchanged from five years ago. A significant proportion of even those people were not able to answer correctly. Figure 9. Those Who Could Give the Correct Date of the Bombings (215, by Age Group) (%) In, those giving the date of the bombing of In, those giving the date of the bombing of 2s 3s s 5s 6s 7 over (3) Fewer in Cannot Forgive the Bombings To measure how Japanese today feel about the atomic bombs dropped on by the United States, respondents were given two answer choices: can t forgive even now it was unavoidable. In, 43 percent 46 percent, respectively, 49 percent nationwide felt that they can t forgive even now, while 44 percent in, 41 percent in, percent nationwide believed that it was unavoidable (Figure 1). Five years ago, people in,, nationwide who felt that they can t forgive even now outnumbered those who thought it was unavoidable. But the proportion of those in saying they can t forgive even now has decreased to the same level as for those saying it was unavoidable.

11 Figure 1. Feelings about the Atomic Bombings Can t forgive even now 21 48% It was unavoidable 42 Don t know, No answer Other Nationwide Examining the changes in over the past years (Figure 11), up to 198 a larger proportion felt that they can t forgive even now than those who thought it was unavoidable. Proportions stayed roughly the same for both the former the latter from 199, after the end of the Cold War, to 2, but the proportion of those feeling they can t forgive even now increased in 25 while the proportion of those saying that it was unavoidable dropped. The gap widened. This period coincided with a time of rising international tensions, with the terrorist attacks of September 21 in the United States, American bombing in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq. In 21, a larger proportion felt that they can t forgive even now than it was unavoidable, but in 215 the two answers were given by equal proportions. (%) Figure 11. Feelings about the Bombings () Can t forgive even now It was unavoidable Face-to-face interview Telephone survey 43

12 By age group compared to five years ago, in 21 the proportion of residents in their 2s 3s 7 over, of residents in their s 7 over answering can t forgive even now was larger than the proportion of those saying it was unavoidable. But in 215 fewer residents in their 2s 3s 7 over, residents 7 over, answered can t forgive even now (Figure 12), there is now no significant difference in the respective proportions of those in in all age groups who say they can t forgive even now it was unavoidable. Figure 12. Can t Forgive Even Now (by Age Group) (%) s 3s s 5s 6s 7 over 2s 3s s 5s 6s 7 over In 215, the proportions of people in all age groups in saying they can t forgive even now it was unavoidable were roughly equal. In contrast, a larger proportion of those in their 2s 3s throughout Japan believed that it was unavoidable, whereas a larger proportion of those in their 6s over felt that they can t forgive even now (Figure 13). People in their 2s 3s saying they can t forgive even now were a minority at 35 percent, but in the older age groups this proportion topped 5 percent among people in their 5s stood at 56 percent among those 7 over. As for it was unavoidable, more than half of those in their 2s 3s felt that way, at 56 percent, but this proportion declined in direct proportion to increasing age, with only 34 percent of those 7 over feeling the same way.

13 Figure 13. Feelings about the Bombings (215, Nationwide, by Age Group) (%) Can t forgive even now It was unavoidable 2s 3s s 5s 6s 7 over Examining whether attitudes toward the atomic bombings differ depending on personal exposure in the bombing, in there was little change compared to 21. Even among people who had suffered exposure or know someone who had the other group who had not been exposed did not know anyone close to them who had, the proportions of those saying can t forgive even now it was unavoidable were both in the percent range. In, on the other h, the proportions of both those who had personally suffered exposure or knew someone close to them who had the others, who had not or did not know anyone who had, were larger for can t forgive even now. But in 215, the proportion among others who felt they can t forgive even now has fallen, only among those who had been personally exposed in the bombing or knew someone close to them who had was the proportion of those feeling can t forgive even now (48 percent) larger than for it was unavoidable (39 percent). Various views on the results of this question probing attitudes toward the bombings have been offered. University Graduate School Professor Hiroshi Nunokawa, whose field is modern Japanese history, thinks that in the midst of a changing world situation there still is a firm belief that the nuclear deterrent prevents war this may link to the answer among Japanese that dropping atomic bombs on Japan was unavoidable. 8 On the other h, when asked by the author about the decline in the proportion of people in who feel that the bombing can t be forgiven even now, clinical psychologist Akiko Mikamo, who wrote a book about her father s experience in the atomic bombing of cautioned that this result can t simply be interpreted to mean that more people nowadays have become forgiving. She pointed out that the major reason for the decline in those who believe that the bombing can t be forgiven is that there are now fewer hibakusha individuals who were influenced by them in some way. And she attributes the drop in the number of older persons who feel that the bombing can t be forgiven even today, to the fact that the event took place a long time ago that now that those people have grown older, more of them just want to live quietly at peace rather than dwell on their difficulties in the past. 8 NHK News Web, August 3, 215 broadcast.

14 (4) Support for Hibakusha Evaluated More Negatively Nationwide Respondents were asked whether they thought that the central government local authorities were providing adequate health care living support to hibakusha. Among people living in, 16 percent in 23 percent in answered that assistance was adequate, a further percent 36 percent, respectively, thought that assistance was more or less adequate, higher proportions than for nationwide responses (Figure 14). While only 25 percent nationwide felt that assistance to hibakusha was adequate (total for adequate more or less adequate ), a majority of people in (56 percent) (58 percent) believed that this was so. On the other h, 32 percent in both thought that assistance was inadequate (total for not really adequate inadequate ) compared to 55 percent nationwide. Compared to 21, proportions who believe assistance is inadequate declined, from 37 percent in 66 percent nationwide, but the proportion of those who think assistance is adequate has not increased in, or in or nationwide. Through the efforts of hibakusha themselves, measures provided by the central government to assist hibakusha have gradually exped since the law on medical care for atomic bomb survivors was enacted in Examining changes in the time series, while over 7 percent in both in 1975 believed that assistance to hibakusha was inadequate, that proportion has gradually dropped (Figure 15), although it should be noted that even now one-third of people in believe that assistance is inadequate. As far as assistance to hibakusha is concerned, those who were not officially recognized as suffering from radiation sickness are still bringing lawsuits against the government, arguing that the criteria for official recognition are too strict. Haste is needed in deciding what to do in the case of the hibakusha, who are now of increasingly advanced age. Looking at assistance from the perspective of individuals who were personally exposed in the bombings, the number of such respondents was small (, 46 persons;, 72 persons), but in 24 percent of those who said they were exposed believe that assistance is not really adequate 11 percent think it is inadequate, compared to 42 percent in who think assistance is not really adequate 7 percent who believe it is inadequate. Figure 14. How People Evaluate Assistance for Hibakusha (215) Adequate Inadequate Adequate More or less adequate Not really adequate Inadequate 16% Nationwide Don t know, No answer

15 Figure 15. Assistance for Hibakusha Evaluated as Insufficient (%) Face-to-face 8 interview Telephone survey Inadequate Not really adequate (%) Face-to-face interview Telephone survey Inadequate Not really adequate As far as assistance to hibakusha is concerned, an issue peculiar to is the designation of irradiated areas. The irradiated areas of determined by the central government are based on the administrative units centering on the former city area of at the time of the bombing do not necessarily correspond to distance from the blast hypocenter. This is why, even though individuals might have been exposed to radiation at equal distances from the hypocenter, some people have been designated hibakusha while others were classified as hibaku-taikensha (lit., those who had experienced the atomic bombing ), there are significant differences in the medical allowances that the two groups

16 receive. Some hibaku-taikensha have campaigned for expansion of the irradiated areas lawsuits continue even today. 9 Kyushu University Graduate School associate professor Akiko Naono, who specializes in the study of hibakusha, said in an interview with the author that the reason many of those in who were exposed in the atomic bombing believe that assistance to hibakusha is inadequate is that despite the recognition of the issue by the courts, the discrepancy in levels of assistance still has not been rectified. 4. Nuclear Disarmament: Ideal Reality (1) The Majority Reject Possession or Use of Nuclear Weapons Respondents were given three answer choices when asked how they felt about atomic bombs other nuclear weaponry (Figure 16). Around 8 percent in all areas (,, nationwide) answered that it was not acceptable to either possess or use nuclear weapons, 1 percent allowed that it was acceptable to possess nuclear weapons but not to use them, only a very small percentage believed that it s acceptable to use nuclear weapons when necessary. The only change compared to five years ago was that the proportion of those believing that it s acceptable to use nuclear weapons when necessary dropped from 3 percent to 1 percent. Figure 16. Is It Acceptable to Possess Use Nuclear Weapons? (215) Acceptable to use when necessary Acceptable to possess but not to use Not acceptable to either possess or use nuclear weapons 17% Nationwide Don t know, No answer (2) The Majority Are Pessimistic about the Prospects for Nuclear Reduction Today there are over 15, nuclear warheads in the world. Respondents were given four answer choices when asked what they thought would happen to nuclear weapons in the future (Figure 17). The largest proportion in all areas thought that their number will decline compared to now, but not significantly (, both 46 percent; 9 In a lawsuit in which a group of people in the city of elsewhere who had suffered radiation exposure to the bombing sued the government to allow them, as hibakusha, to receive free medical treatment for cancer other diseases, the District Court made its ruling on February 216 that some of the plaintiffs were hibakusha.

17 nationwide 45 percent), followed by their number will remain unchanged or will in fact increase ( 32 percent, 31 percent, nationwide 32 percent). On the other h, only 2 percent in all areas believed that nuclear weapons can be eliminated entirely, 13 percent in, 11 percent in, 12 percent nationwide thought that they cannot be eliminated entirely, but their number will be greatly reduced. These results show that the majority of people in both nationwide were pessimistic about the prospects for reduction of nuclear weaponry. Figure 17. Likelihood of Nuclear Disarmament (215) Nuclear weapons Their number will decline compared can be eliminated to now, but not significantly entirely They cannot be eliminated entirely, but their number will be greatly reduced Their number will remain unchanged or will in fact increase 2 13% Nationwide Don t know, No answer (3) Seventy Percent Believe that There Is a Risk of Nuclear Warfare Respondents were asked whether they thought that nuclear warfare might occur somewhere in the world in the near future. Twenty-four percent in, 23 percent in, 21 percent nationwide answered that there is a strong risk, while 46 percent in all areas answered that there is some risk (Figure 18). The proportion of those in who said that there is a risk (total for there is a strong risk there is some risk ) was 7 percent, almost the same level as five years ago. By contrast, the proportion of those nationwide who answered that there is a risk was 66 percent, down from 72 percent five years ago, but the fact is that a significant proportion of people in all areas feel there is a risk of nuclear warfare occurring. Figure 18. Risk of Nuclear Warfare (215) There is a strong risk There is some risk There is not much risk There is no risk at all 24% Nationwide Don t know, No answer

18 (4) U.S. Nuclear Umbrella Not Necessary Respondents were given four answer choices regarding whether they believe that relying on the United States nuclear deterrence (the U.S. nuclear umbrella ) is necessary for Japan s security (Figure 19). In all areas, over percent, the largest proportion, answered that the U.S. nuclear umbrella is not necessary either now or in the future, followed by around 2 percent saying that it is necessary now but not in the future. On the other h, about 1 percent each answered necessary both now in the future not necessary now but necessary in the future. Totaling the proportion of those who believe a nuclear deterrent of some kind is needed (total for necessary now, necessary in the future, necessary both now in the future ), about percent in all areas think it s necessary to have a nuclear deterrent, a proportion about equal to those who believe it s not necessary either now or in the future. The results show that opinion is split about the need for the United States nuclear deterrent. But compared to 21, the proportion of those in all areas saying not necessary either now or in the future rose from the 3 percent range to the percent range, the proportion saying necessary both now in the future fell from around 2 percent to around1 percent. 21 Figure 19. Need for the U.S. Nuclear Umbrella Necessary both now in the future 19% Necessary now but not in the future 3 Not necessary now but necessary in the future 8 Not necessary either now or in the future 32 Don t know, No answer Nationwide Examining the response not necessary either now or in the future by age group, compared to 21, the proportion of those giving this answer in rose across all age groups

19 s over, now the percent range in all those age groups (Figure 2). Nationwide, the proportion of those giving this answer rose in the s age group among those in their 6s over, leveling out age-based differences. In, approximately percent in all age groups gave this response, unchanged from 21. Figure 2. The U.S. Nuclear Umbrella Is Not Necessary Either Now or in the Future (215) (%) Nationwide s 3s s 5s 6s 7 over 2s 3s s 5s 6s 7 over By gender, more women than men in all areas said that the nuclear umbrella was not necessary either now or in the future (Figure 21). Among women, about half in all areas said the same. On the other h, more men than women said necessary now but not in the future necessary both now in the future. Among men, in particular, over 3 percent said that the nuclear umbrella was necessary now but not in the future, about the same proportion as those who said it was not necessary either now or in the future. Figure 21. Need for the U.S. Nuclear Umbrella (215, by Gender; in descending order for the three areas overall) Nationwide (%) Not necessary either now or in the future Necessary now but not in the future Necessary both now in the future Not necessary now but necessary in the future Men Women Men Women Men Women 32 < < < > > > > > 9 17 > < Note: The inequality sign shows the examination results after comparing the numbers on either side, with > indicating that the number of men is greater < indicating that the number of women is greater (confidence rate 95 percent).

20 Figure 22 compares differences in attitudes toward nuclear weapons in depending on whether people feel that they cannot forgive the bombings even now or that it was unavoidable. In, more people who feel they cannot forgive the bombings even now than those who think it was unavoidable believe both that it is not acceptable to possess or use nuclear weapons that the U.S. nuclear umbrella is not necessary either now or in the future. But even among people who feel that the atomic bombings were unavoidable, over 7 percent do not think it acceptable to possess or use nuclear weapons. And while the proportion of those who believe that the nuclear umbrella is not necessary either now or in the future was in the 3 percent range, this represented the largest proportion. Figure 22. Acceptability of Possessing Using Nuclear Weapons / Need for the U.S. Nuclear Umbrella (215, by Attitude Toward the Atomic Bombings) Cannot forgive even now It was unavoidable Cannot forgive even now It was unavoidable Acceptability of possessing using nuclear weapons Need for the nuclear umbrella (Parameter) Acceptable to use when necessary Acceptable to possess but not to use Not acceptable to either possess or use nuclear weapons Necessary both now in the future Necessary now but not in the future Not necessary now but necessary in the future Not necessary either now or in the future (n=487) (499) (459) (41) 1% 2 1 < 4 14 < 23 1 < > > 74 1 < 18 9 < < > > 38 Note: The inequality sign shows the examination results after comparing the numbers on either side, with > indicating that the number on the left is greater < indicating that the number on the right is greater (confidence rate 95 percent).

21 (5) The Facts of the Atomic Bombings Not Conveyed Respondents were asked about the extent to which the damages from the atomic bombings the current situation of hibakusha have been disseminated throughout the world. Three percent for, 4 percent for, 4 percent nationwide believed that the situation has been adequately conveyed. Taken together with those who answered that the situation has been conveyed to some extent, only 34 percent for, 33 percent for, 36 percent nationwide believed this was so (Figure 23). Conversely, over half in all areas believed that the situation has not been conveyed very well. Overall, those who answered not conveyed (total for not conveyed very well not conveyed at all ) accounted for 64 percent in both an increase from 59 percent in percent nationwide, about the same as in 21. Figure 23. Dissemination of the Facts of the Atomic Bombings (215) Adequately conveyed Conveyed to some extent Not conveyed very well Not conveyed at all 3 31% Nationwide Don t know, No answer 5. How the Memory of the Atomic Bombings Can be Perpetuated Respondents were asked what they thought was the most important means of passing down the tragedy of the atomic bombings to future generations. The five answer choices are shown in Figure 24. In descending order, the answers most often given in nationwide were teach the subject more actively in schools continue keeping video or written records of hibakusha testimony, both given by around 35 to 39 percent of those respondents. In, a lower proportion (31 percent) selected teach the subject more actively in schools, while 37 percent selected continue to keep records, either on video or in writing, of hibakusha testimony, the largest proportion in all areas. Only 1 to 2 percent in all areas answered that no need to pass on the facts to future generations. By age group, older people 49 percent of those in their 6s 43 percent of those 7 over in, 41 percent of those in their 6s in considered teach the subject more actively in schools important. In contrast, relatively younger respondents 45 percent of those in their 2s 3s 46 percent of those in their s in, 51 percent of those in their 2s 3s 48 percent of those in their s in, 49 percent of those in their s nationwide thought that continue keeping video or written records of hibakusha testimony was vital. Preserving materials helps pass

22 down the memories in various ways, younger people may strongly believe that recording testimony directly from hibakusha while they are still alive is a good way of doing so. Figure 24. Passing on Memories of the Atomic Bombings (215) (%) Nationwide Teach the subject more actively in schools Continue keeping video or written records of hibakusha testimony Increase the number of people giving oral testimony to pass on the events Collect exhibit more bombing-related artifacts, including personal possessions of hibakusha No need to pass on the facts to future generations Other Conclusion Out of respondents to the 215 survey in 46, in 72, nationwide 7 said they had been directly exposed in the atomic bombings, so it is clear that it will be very difficult to survey hibakusha in the future. The survey results show the differences are large between people in on the one h those nationwide on the other in the proportions of those able to give the correct dates of the bombings their usual degree of interest in the matter. The survey also indicates that the events are fading from awareness even in. It is no longer possible to rely solely on those directly involved to pass on memories of the bombings. Many Japanese oppose nuclear weapons, given Japan s experience at the close of World War II, but nuclear disarmament is by no means assured. The 215 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) exposed deep divisions between the nuclear-weapon states the non-nuclear-weapon states, the parties were not able to reach agreement on the final draft document. It was also revealed that two months earlier, in March, Russia s President Vladimir Putin had been ready to use nuclear weapons to back Russia s annexation of Crimea. This other developments on the global stage create a dilemma among the Japanese public, who fear nuclear warfare, while rejecting nuclear weaponry, cannot completely oppose the reality of the protection afforded by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. But there are also signs of change. In April 29, speaking in Prague, U.S. President Barack Obama said that eliminating nuclear weapons is fundamental to the security of our nations to the peace of the world. Although the state of the world today is far from that ideal, the American ambassador to Japan began attending the peace commemoration ceremony in the following year. Further, in a U.S. public opinion survey 1 to mark 1 Telephone survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in January February 215 among persons aged 18 over in the United States Japan.

23 the seventieth anniversary of the end of World War II, 56 percent of respondents answered that the United States had been justified in using atomic bombs, but when responses were examined by age group, younger people showed a different attitude than their elders, with 47 percent of those aged 18 to 29 saying that the bombing was justifiable versus 7 percent of those 65 over who held this opinion. Conditions in the world are increasingly unstable, it is necessary to let the world know of the tragedy of the atomic bombings the radiation-related illnesses that victims have suffered raise attention to the inhumanity of nuclear weaponry. What can be done to preserve pass on the memory of to ensure that no one ever becomes a hibakusha again? Japan, as the only country to have suffered a nuclear bomb attack, has a special role to play must continue to deal with the issue of how to convey the tragedy of the atomic bombs. Sources: Naono, Akiko. Genbaku taiken to sengo Nihon: Kioku no keisei to keisho [The Atomic Bomb Experience Postwar Japan: Forming Passing on Memories], Iwanami Shoten Nagai, Hideaki. Nihonjin no kaku ishiki kozo: Sengo 3-nen kan no yoronchosa shiryo no bunseki kara [How Japanese Think of Nuclear Weapons: An Analysis of Public Opinion Surveys in the 3 Years After the War], in heiwa kagaku [ Peace Science], Vol. 1, Surveys prior to 25 mentioned in the text (translated vertically, column by column) Survey Name Survey Period Survey Area Survey Target Method Residents Attitudes toward the Atomic Bombings Public Opinion Survey on the Atomic Bombings Residents Attitudes toward the Atomic Bombings in the th Year after the Bombings Opinion Survey of Residents in the 45th Year after the Atomic Bombings Survey in the 5th Year after the End of the War Opinion Survey of Residents on the Atomic Bombings Opinion Survey on the Atomic Bombings, in, Japan, the United States (Japanese survey) June 14 (Sat.) 15 (Sun.) May 31 (Sat.) June 1 (Sun.) June 15 (Sat.) 16 (Sun.) June 2 (Sat.) 3 (Sun.) May 12 (Fri.) 15 (Mon.) June 3 (Fri.) July 2 (Sun.) June 17 (Fri.) 19 (Sun.) June 9 (Thurs.) 12 (Sun.) Sample Valid Responses 73 9 (81.1%) persons persons each 684 (76.%) Stratified (68.3%) romized Voters 2-stage sampling 626 (69.6%) from voter 9 each lists 523 (58.1%) Faceto-face 9 65 (67.2%) intervie ws 9 61 (67.8%) persons Stratified each 597 (66.3%) romized Nationwide 2-stage 2, 1,4 (72.%) sampling Persons from the age 2 Jumin over Kihondaicho (7.7%) (Basic Register of (57.3%) Residents) Nationwide 2, 1,375 (68.8%) (%)