Hiroshima: Japan must not only focus on its own suffering from the atomic bombings during World War II but also recognize the harm it inflicted on other countries, including its 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea, a survivor of the attacks has said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Satoshi Tanaka, a representative director of the Japanese Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, also known as “Nihon Hidankyo,” emphasized Japan’s need to take responsibility for its actions during the war. Tanaka, who has spent his life advocating for atomic bomb survivors, shared his perspective during a meeting with South Korean journalists in Hiroshima. He highlighted that Japan’s role as a perpetrator should be part of discussions about the atomic bombings and their consequences.

Nihon Hidankyo, established in 1956, represents atomic survivors across Japan and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 for its efforts to abolish nuclear weapons. Tanaka, 81, was just a baby when the atomic bomb “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima, exposing him to radiation. His life has been marked by health challenges, including multiple cancers, which he attributes to the bombing.

Tanaka stressed the importance of major nuclear powers, like the United States and Russia, recommitting to reducing their nuclear arsenals. He believes this is crucial to persuading other nations to abandon nuclear ambitions. He also highlighted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as the only international binding agreement addressing nuclear disarmament and offering support to victims of nuclear testing worldwide.

Tanaka criticized Japan for not joining the TPNW, calling it shameful for the only country to have suffered nuclear bombings. Despite receiving the Nobel Prize, he expressed mixed feelings due to Japan’s stance. He urged the Japanese government to participate in the treaty as an observer to demonstrate a commitment to nuclear disarmament.

Efforts are underway to create a unified cenotaph for both North and South Korean bomb victims in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Tanaka noted cooperation between North and South Korean groups in Japan on this issue, despite strained inter-Korean relations.

Regarding South Korea’s concerns over Japan’s lack of acknowledgment for Korean victims of wartime forced labor, Tanaka criticized Japan’s stance and highlighted the need for compensation. He also mentioned the ongoing demand for compensation from the Japanese government by atomic bomb survivors, suggesting a parallel with Japan-South Korea relations and the way survivors address the United States’ responsibilities.

Tanaka concluded that the 1965 Japan-South Korea treaty did not fully resolve the issues, and individuals should still receive compensation.