Man survived both atomic bombings

[HURAKAN]

Man survived both atomic bombings

Japan has certified a man aged 93 as the only known survivor of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, both hit by atomic bombs towards the end of World War II.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima on a business trip on 6 August 1945 when a US plane dropped the first atomic bomb.

He suffered serious burns and spent a night there before returning to his home city of Nagasaki just before it was bombed on 9 August.

He said he hoped his experience held a lesson of peace for future generations.

'Horrifying history'

It was already recorded that Mr Yamaguchi had survived the Nagasaki bomb but on Tuesday officials recognised that he had been in Hiroshima as well.

Certification as a hibakusha or radiation survivor qualifies Japanese citizens for government compensation, including medical check-ups, and funeral costs.

His double dose of atomic bombs, however, does not mean Mr Yamaguchi's compensation will increase, a Nagasaki city official said.

"My double radiation exposure is now an official government record," Mr Yamaguchi told reporters.

"It can tell the younger generation the horrifying history of the atomic bombings even after I die."

About 140,000 people were killed in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki.

Many survivors fell sick with radiation-related illnesses, including cancers, for years after the bombings.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/w ... 963581.stm

[Category 5]

I'm not as amazed that he survived both as I am that he's still alive.

[Extremeweatherguy]

I'm not as amazed that he survived both as I am that he's still alive.

Same here. He has managed to live well into his 90s even after going through two atomic bombings. Amazing!

[Dionne]

As of 3/31/08 there were 243,692 living hibakusha with an average age of 75.14!

Found this info on wikipedia.

[Category 5]

As of 3/31/08 there were 243,692 living hibakusha with an average age of 75.14!

Found this info on wikipedia.

Not saying its wrong, but be careful.

If this is true, that is amazing.

[Dionne]

It gets even better. Registered hibakusha that have died are as follows; 258,310 Hiroshima and 145,984 Nagasaki.

Being hibashuka in Japan is not good. There is discrimination.

Everything I've read online regarding hibakusha in the last few minutes is not good at all. There are numerous references. It's a miserable read. I cannot imagine the horror.

[Category 5]

hell, what they witnessed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was bad enough.

[LilGrimmy]

that is amazing!

[abajan]

As of 3/31/08 there were 243,692 living hibakusha with an average age of 75.14!

Found this info on wikipedia.

Not saying its wrong, but be careful.

If this is true, that is amazing.

Perhaps not. I recall seeing a piece on ABC's 20/20 about a couple years ago on how radiation from atomic bombs, nuclear reactor accidents and so on might actually be good for you! Of course at the time I took it with a BIG grain of salt

EDIT: I just found lots of links on the 20/20 radiation story. Here's one: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=1955252&page=1
Apparently dosage is the key.