The grave is wide: the Hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the legacy of the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission and the Radiation Effects Research Foundation

Abstract

Following the atomic bomb attacks on Japan in 1945, scientists from the United States and Japan joined together to study the Hibakusha – the bomb affected people in what was advertised as a bipartisan and cooperative effort. In reality, despite the best efforts of some very dedicated and earnest scientists, the early years of the collaboration were characterized by political friction, censorship, controversy, tension, hostility, and racism. The 70-year history, scientific output and cultural impact of the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission and the Radiation Effects Research Foundation are described in the context of the development of Occupied Japan.

Keywords:

• ABCC
• atomic bomb
• Japan
• radiation
• RERF

Disclosure statement

The author reports no declarations of interest to report.