Organization and Membership

NIHON HIDANKYO is the only nation-wide organization of A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Hibakusha). It has member organizations in all 47 Japanese prefectures, thus representing almost all organized Hibakusha. Its officials and members are all Hibakusha. The total number of the surviving Hibakusha living in Japan is about 300,000, as of March 1999. There are several thousands of more Hibakusha living in Korea and other parts of the world outside Japan. HIDANKYO is cooperating with those organizations in their work for the defense of the living and rights of these people.

Chronology of HIDANKYO’s International Activities

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.