The Student-Organized Project "Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition"

From Monday, June 2 to Sunday, June 8, 2025, “ICU Peace and Reconciliation Week,” a series of events aimed at reflecting on themes of peace and reconciliation was held. Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, students and faculty came together to organize a variety of programs that encouraged dialogue and learning.

One of the featured activities during the week was the initiative led by the student group Nagasaki Echoes Project, composed of participants in a service-learning program in Nagasaki and students from Nagasaki. The group organized an exhibition titled “Echoing the Voice of Nagasaki, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition – Connecting Nagasaki’s Voices to the Future –”, along with a talk session to share their experiences and insights.

Driven by a strong desire to “share the learning gained through 30 days of service in Nagasaki” and “bring the voices of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) to a wider audience to foster serious discussions about peace,” the students realized the project with support from the Nagasaki Foundation for the Promotion of Peace and the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition (RECNA) at Nagasaki University.

The exhibition featured photographs from the aftermath of the bombing, testimonies from survivors, data and case studies on nuclear weapons, and personal columns written by six members of the Nagasaki Echoes Project. Through these materials, the exhibition aimed to present the immediate devastation of Nagasaki, the long-term effects of the atomic bomb, and the reality of nuclear weapons in today’s world. Visitors were invited to engage with these issues not as distant history, but as personal and contemporary concerns.

The talk session attracted about 20 participants from both inside and outside the university, while nearly 100 people visited the exhibition. Attendees shared their reflections, such as:

“As we mark 80 years since the bombing, I feel it’s crucial to think about what we can do to help eliminate nuclear weapons.”

“I never want to forget the images and stories I saw here. This experience made me think deeply about what I can do.”

The exhibition and talk session served as a meaningful platform for students and visitors to connect past tragedies with present responsibilities and to envision a more peaceful future.