Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

August 6, 1945

The Atomic Bomb Survivors Relief Law defines hibakusha as people who fall into one or more of the following categories: within a few kilometers of the hypocenters of the bombs; within 2 km (1.2 mi) of the hypocenters within two weeks of the bombings; exposed to radiation from fallout; or not yet born but carried by pregnant women in any of the three previously mentioned categories. The Japanese government has recognized about 650,000 people as hibakusha. As of 31 March 2024, 106,825 were still alive, mostly in Japan, and in 2024 are expected to surpass the number of surviving US World War veterans. The government of Japan recognizes about 1% of these as having illnesses caused by radiation.

After touring the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Obama walked with Prime Minister Abe Shinzo through the park to a monument for atomic bomb victims.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a museum located in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, in central Hiroshima, Japan, dedicated to documenting the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in World War II.

Finally, over 20 years after the bombing, Hiroshima's city council decided to preserve the building. Others said the building should be demolished because it brought back bitter memories of the atomic bombing.