Hibakusha: Victims of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Hibakusha, also known as the Radiated Ones, are victims of the atomic bombings that took place at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hibakusha is a Japanese word that literally translates to "explosion-affected people." The United States detonated an atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima on August 6^th, 1945. A second bomb was detonated over the city of Nagasaki on August 9^th, 1945. The Japanese have described the event as an immense shockwave followed by an intense heat. Radioactive material, called black rain, began falling from the sky incinerating those closest to the blast and leaving others nearby injured and wounded. Numerous people were killed from severe radiation poisoning. There were dozens of bodies, including women and children that had been burnt to death. Those who did survive were inflicted with a plague of radiation that would eventually kill them as well. Before the bombings the population at Hiroshima was in the region of 420,000 of which approximately 250,000 were killed. The population at Nagasaki before the bombings was around 270,000 of which approximately 140,000 became casualties.

There are still Hibakusha living in Japan that suffer the perils of radiation sickness and are still dying today. The health effects on those who survived were numerous. The risk for acquiring cancer, especially leukemia, was the most important effect amid survivors. Of the cancers the Hibakusha suffered the most significant statistically were colon, stomach and liver cancer, bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, and cancer of the breasts and ovaries. Other health effects included diseases of the blood and circulatory system, digestive and liver diseases and diseases of the respiratory system. In addition to this they also suffered from radiation-induced psychological effects including mental retardation, neurotic symptoms, autonomic nerve imbalances and amnesia. Some survivors acquired what is known as "acute radiation syndrome." In acute radiation syndrome the individual suffers effects that are slow acting in nature. The internal damage caused by the radioactivity is delayed and has a residual effect. These individuals will get diseases that will eventually kill them. Higher levels of radiation that is released all together can damage or destroy organs all at once causing immediate death. The Hibakusha that expired not long after the bombings suffered severe symptoms including vomiting blood, having bloody stool and bleeding from their mucous membranes just before their deaths.

The Hibakusha receive government support on a monthly basis. Those that suffer from diseases that were caused by the bombings also receive a medical allowance.