Declining atomic bomb survivors in Japan fall under the 100,000 mark.

Declining atomic bomb survivors in Japan fall under the 100,000 mark.

In Japan, the number of officially recognized atomic bomb survivors, known as hibakusha, has fallen below 100,000 for the first time since certification began in 1957. As of March 31, 2025, there were 99,130 hibakusha in the country [1][3][5]. Their average age is now approximately 86 years old, an increase of about 0.55 years compared to the previous year [1][3][4].

The peak number of hibakusha was recorded in 1981 at 372,264, and the population has been steadily declining since then. The number dropped below 200,000 in 2014 and continues to decrease, reaching under 100,000 in 2025 [1][3][5].

The aging of the hibakusha population has raised concerns about preserving their firsthand experiences and testimonies. With the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings approaching in August 2025, efforts to keep the memories of these survivors alive for future generations are increasingly important [1][2][4].

One such effort is the implementation of educational projects where students interview survivors and express their stories through art. These projects aim to keep the experiences of the hibakusha alive and accessible, ensuring that their stories are not lost as the survivors pass away [1][2][4].

The Hiroshima Prefectural Exhibition Hall was bombed in August 1945. Today, it is known as the Genbaku (A-Bomb) Dome. A poignant reminder of the devastating impact of the atomic bomb, the Genbaku Dome remains standing as a symbol of peace and a testament to the resilience of the people of Hiroshima [2].

The data related to hibakusha is sourced from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (Japan) [1]. The banner photo used in this article is of the remains of the Genbaku Dome, taken in September 1945, a month after the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945. The source of the banner photo is AFP/Jiji [2].

Sources:

[1] Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (Japan). (2025). Official statistics on hibakusha. Retrieved from https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/hibakusha/index.html

[2] City of Hiroshima. (n.d.). Genbaku Dome. Retrieved from https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/sightseeing/genbaku-dome/

[3] The Asahi Shimbun. (2025). Number of hibakusha drops below 100,000. Retrieved from https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASF1M78G5F1HUHT000.html

[4] The Japan Times. (2025). Efforts to preserve hibakusha stories. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/31/national/hibakusha-preservation-efforts/

[5] Kyodo News. (2025). Hibakusha population continues to decline. Retrieved from https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/03/b2d61590f107-hibakusha-population-continues-to-decline.html

1. In the realm of health and wellness, the implementation of educational projects focuses on interviewing hibakusha, atomic bomb survivors, and narrating their stories through art, shedding light on medical-conditions and mental-health aspects they experienced due to the atomic bomb.
2. As people age, the importance of preserving stories and testimonies becomes even more vital, and this is particularly true for hibakusha, with their peak number recorded in 1981, their number decreasing year by year, and their average age now being approximately 86 years old.
3. Permanent reminders of tragedies like atomic bombings continue to stand as symbols of resilience – the Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima, Japan, showcased in a photo taken a month after the bombing in 1945, serves as a poignant symbol of peace, being a part of scientific history while raising awareness about aging and mental health issues that these survivors face.

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