Unveiling Hiroshima Museum's Updated Exhibit

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum opened a new exhibit in April, replacing the one that hibakusha (people affected by radiation from the A-bomb) felt understated the tragic aftermath of the atomic bomb. More than 1 million people come to the museum each year. As of 2018, more than 72 million people had visited since it opened in 1955.

The possessions of hibakusha feature prominently in the new exhibit. Pictures of the owners and their names are part of the narrative. Curators aim to make real the tragedy and the suffering of surviving family members. The new exhibit replaces one featuring mannequins designed to look like A-bomb victims. Hibakusha told Hiroshima city officials they were not happy with the depiction because the reality was much worse.

Over 5,000 hibakusha passed away in the past year. Hiroshima continues to make efforts to preserve their experiences.