Interview with an Atomic bomb survivor in Hiroshima

[@takashiifromjapan]

We are the last generation to meet survivors and It won’t be too long before these stories won’t be told in person anymore. Take a deep breath and dive in, she has a lot to say. P.S. For those who are afraid to visit Hiroshima due to radiation, Nothing to worry about now.

[@relleonidaalbia8846]

I would also ask why decide to attack pearl harbor instead of killing individuals in an empire.

[@Matthias-sl6jr]

According to propaganda their shouldn't be survivors alive anymore

[@cesarpadilla6754]

Hey! I am planning to visit Hiroshima in November. I'm a professional filmmaker and would like to interview this woman. Do you think that would be possible?

[@Obeijin]

@@relleonidaalbia8846 Pearl Harbor was a provoked attack . The US was cutting off Japan's oil supply . Our president knew the base was going to be attacked several days ahead of time .

[@blueeclipse5318]

This is by far the most meaningful video you ever posted. It's my favorite Takashi. Thank you.

[@tidalfriction5301]

This is powerful. She has nothing to feel sorry for. She’s documenting the savagery of war, and she was just a civilian. She’s a hero for describing in detail the hardships of that time, educating us, and thank you for documenting her experience on video to inform us, the audience.

[@ImDGreat]

@jude6213 u guys should celebrate nanjing too

[@ざわ-m2j]

​@jude6213 Japanese person with a channel name in Cyrillic alphabets? Do better than that.

[@ImDGreat]

@jude6213 日本人のふりをしても、あなたの友達のPutinを助けることはできません。

[@XenaBe25]

@@ざわ-m2j Cyrillic? You mean Phoenetic? Cyrillic is Slavic.

[@ieatchildrenkneecaps]

​@jude63294ah really no shame

[@mmehedii4906]

I am really amazed how at age 90 she is still able to talk so cleanly and share this tragic story with us.

[@botanicalitus4194]

i mean its hard to forget such a traumatic event no matter how many years pass. Aug 6 1945 is a day that changed the world forever

[@20tea]

Many Japanese people in their 90s are still very coherent and active. My grandfather in law still managed and worked his farm till mid 90s. He lived just outside Hiroshima city too.

[@DegenerateToo]

It’s because she doesn’t live in the U.S., our government namely the FDA lets us consume all types of foods and drugs that are banned in other countries because they are known to be harmful.

[@jazzy4830]

@@DegenerateToo Maybe, but it can also be attributed to Japanese staying active or working in some form until much later in life, which helps slow senility in addition to better elder care.

[@20tea]

@DegenerateToo It's more about choice of food and culture paired with genetics. The types of foods they eat generally lean towards having a health benefit in mind. There's also a lot of pride in quality of food over quantity of food as well. My grandfather in law is a farmer in Japan and takes great pride in his produce. Only the highest quality is sold to the market. My wife is from Japan and makes mindful purchases of food here in the United States to make Japanese style dishes. Her family generally live into their 90s. We occasionally have American style of food as well, but it is important to be mindful of where the ingredients are from and how they were grown. Although it may be more difficult to eat healthy in the United States, it is possible, but you need to be mindful of what you eat.

[@pennymac16]

Isn't it amazing that you can share the story of a 90-year-old with people around the world? She can communicate stuff in her own way what no museum could. Thanks for making this.

[@melskmelsk]

You can tell she has been reliving this in stark detail her entire life. You can feel the weight of all her years of silence. I'm so glad she found motivation to speak out. This is so intense and important and I'm grateful to be witnessing it.

[@Matthias-sl6jr]

How is it there were survivors?

[@kowalski3950]

@@Matthias-sl6jr 20 kilotons is not that big compared to what we have today... it's actually insignificant in comparison... Hiroshima is a city, so it's pretty big, the survivors are the ones that are further from the explosion, that also managed to evacuate before being exposed to too much radiation.

[@Matthias-sl6jr]

The art of deterrence is to create in the mind of opponent the fear to attack."~Dr Strangelove,Nukes don't exist! At least not in the capacity its claimed they do,this is official U$ govt line during Koreaπ war US didnt use Nukes in NK because they didnt want world to see how ineffective those weapons were.Hiroshima Nagasaki 2 cities built entirely out of paper & Bamboo could have been caused by napalm,compare that to Dresden&Tokyo firebombings where 500k&150k people killed.Los✡️Almos scientists said cities were supposed to be uninhabitable for 70 years rebuilt within 10.Just something the JU.N✡️ security council invented to impose sionism on the planet like when Pharaohs told people they were Gods to get them to build pyramids.πSA can't really servale you to the point of reading your thoughts either.Those detonations are possible under laboratory type controlled conditions,1st H-bomb size of a house within 2 years it was miniaturized?that's faster progress then mankind made on the wheel, computers took 70 years to miniaturize that was considered fast.this post gets censored Everytime I post it unless I get creative.

[@Matthias-sl6jr]

@@kowalski3950 Same thing happened in Japanese city in 1923 after massive earthquake people describe what they called tornadoes of fire people were jumping into river to keep from straight up melting upto & including their eyes melting in their sockets from the heat.

[@kowalski3950]

@@Matthias-sl6jr I don't understand... what does that have to do with this?

[@owiygul3]

I am an American military veteran, who served in Yokosuka, Japan. This woman's story should be shown to every US service member who steps foot on Japanese soil. She is an amazing human who has experienced unfathomable pain and I am deeply touched to hear her story. Thank you @takashifromjapan for using your platform to amplify her voice!

[@gomugomunokienzan]

I live in Yokosuka! Lol small world

[@Hustler2_]

No US service member should ever dare to step on another country's soil.

[@thorkagemob1297]

​@@Hustler2_ignorance

[@cheapbruh9778]

Sure, if every Japanese citizen was shown what happened to occupants of unit 731, which they proudly and sneakily tried to hide and ignore since WW2... im sick and tired of people making Japan into being the victim in this, NEWSFLASH, they where the aggressors, killed hundred of thousands of men, women and children, baronetted babies and smashed their heads against the asphalt in the streets for fun. Killing 200k Civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was a necessary sacrifice and wake up call for for humanity and the japanese!

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

@@Hustler2_ Yeah they should. That's what they did when they stepped there to sell oil to Japan, the same way Russia sells to Europe, and TO then launch a a petrol embargo half a year before the attack on military bases on Pearl Harbor. That's the whole point of selling oil anywhere, they also stepped into Hawaii and occupied it to test for nuclear energy solutions on Bikini atoll. Without an embargo to control foreign countries with, there could hardle even BE any foreign trade. I mean there could be TRADE in the literal sense, but you know. Not "commerce". Cold war politics and exploitation, that lets the riches trickle down like Reagan said.

[@cheesebuger13]

This is without a doubt the most important video on your channel ever. I feel that as an American, I really had to see this. I haven't really gotten a first hand account of the day the bomb dropped until now.

[@Snake-ms7sj]

I just finished a book "Nagasaki: Life after nuclear war" by Susan Southard. Really tells what the survivors went through and the injuries they suffered. I highly recommend it.

[@nenadpopov3601]

@@Snake-ms7sj So? Somehow I don't feel sorry for ppl who supported Nazy Germany and killing of millions of people, men, women and children, all died in most horrific ways in gas chambers, mutilated, butchered and experimented on while they were still alive, NOTHING Japan has witnessed can't even come close to horror other nations saw and felt and lived through.

[@williamforsythe9180]

Lots of victims at Pearl Harbor too. You should look into it

[@cheesebuger13]

@@williamforsythe9180 I've heard many from pearl harbor.

[@kerolokerokerolo]

@@williamforsythe9180 can't compare.

[@capnkirkie1]

When she got teary talking about the woman that offered her a rice ball 🥺 Even how her father softened his demeanor as well. It just shows how far being kind goes. It was such a beautiful moment to share

[@hajenso]

My Obaachan who was a teenage factory worker in wartime Japan also mentions a moment when someone gave her an onigiri as one of her most prominent memories of that time.

[@capnkirkie1]

@@hajenso that's so sweet🥺

[@eekeek7064]

Oh yeah, that got me crying too. 😭 „ It just shows how far being kind goes.“ -> Definitely; even such a seemingly small gesture can have a huge impact (however it maybe wasn’t so small considering how difficult preparing food probably was under these circumstances). Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful comment

[@erika5384]

It broke my heart to see Aiko-sama feel ashamed about her speaking openly on her feelings/experiences with the American military and the US from that time. I hope she knows that no one could ever possibly blame her for her recollection, as she has experienced something that we can't even imagine today. It is our duty as global citizens today to listen to the truth and accept it no matter what. We people alive today can acknowledge that people in the past have done awful and unspeakable things, and we understand that of course she is not speaking on Americans today, she is speaking on the actions committed by people who are probably long-dead by now. I hope she doesn't feel guilty, hearing her apologize for what she said left me with a bad feeling in my stomach, because in reality it is a privilege to hear such genuine statements. She is a living piece of history that we must never forget. I wanted to reach into the screen and hug her tight and reassure her for that. She is such a remarkable, pure and strong human being, truly, she is an example to us all. Her family must be extremely proud, her husband honoured to marry her, her children honoured to be born to her.

[@stuntbaby63]

@erika5384 wrote, "...no one could ever possibly blame her for her recollection, as she has experienced something that we can't even imagine today." Perfectly stated! I agree with you completely.

[@nepalifreefiregaming8233]

accourding to your understanding, usa was the cause. But sorry to say this man japan is the one who started and motivated other to war by attacking americans first and that two atom attack was cruel. Okay fine, I understand she didn’t know the main reason that happen but now this generation know about how it started and this generation doesn’t care about it because they know the japan has the felt. America wasn’t against japan, to be clear. U should need to read ww1 and 2

[@erika5384]

@freefiregaming8233 You're judging my "understanding" of a very intricate and significant period of modern human history off of a single comment validating an old woman's experiences as a war victim. In other words, I understand the scope of WWI + II's events just fine. But that doesn't mean that this woman's feelings and traumas as a victim of war aren't valid, just as citizens of America and all the other countries' citizens in the world were also victims of events occurring during the same wars. War affects everyone involved negatively, we should all know that by now. Today is August 6th, the anniversary of Hiroshima's bombing, and we have been encouraged to reflect on it as well as the effects of war on people. Forgive me for directing my focus toward this one event on this day, despite it being the purpose of Takashi's video.

[@alexandervanlohen4229]

@erika5384 I couldn’t say it more accurate!

[@nishadkiani9611]

Sorry Japan Vietnam Kambodia Korea Iraq Iran Libya Sudan Yemen Afghanistan US every where

[@thai2500]

This kind, sensitive lady felt that she needed to apologize at the very end. But of course, that was certainly not something she needed to do. Her endurance, courage and humility is GREATLY inspiring. Thank you so much for this interview.

[@jupiterio8105]

​@jude6213we have 2 days celebration aug 6 and aug 9

[@sergiowarnick]

Celebrating death must be nice, missing what this video is all about peace and reconciliation

[@Onora619]

It's very admirable, but it's probably something she learned to compulsively do growing up if her father was super strict/part of her culture/her generation.

[@bababooey3023]

For someone who’s gone through so much you can tell she’s a great person, god bless her.

[@SilverKnight16]

What truly got to me was her apologzing at the end for saying anything unkind about US soldiers. Of all people, she has absolutely no reason to apologize for anything she did or didn't say or feel, and as an American, I wish I could apologize to her for being forced to endure something terrible because of something she had absolutely no say in. People are not their governments, but they're always the ones to suffer for governmental decisions. I'm happy that she was able to live a rich and full life despite the horrors and injustice she faced. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Hustler2_]

Since Japan is an American puppet state, it's safer to apologize. The American lapdogs in Japanese government are trying to rewrite history and put the blame on the Soviets. Japan's prime minister in his speech in Hiroshima has never once mentioned the perpetrators of that bombing.

[@jame254]

In turn nobody should be apologizing for what our past generations have done. War is war. It is cruel always going to be. Glad she her stories and sentiment on how she felt. I have heard both sides allies and axis powers in interviews. To get a better understanding. So it never comes to pass again.

[@kerolokerokerolo]

@@jame254 It is good to apologize for mistakes made in the past. Let's other know you are sorry for what they've gone through and want to look forward to a brighter future instead of getting stucked in old disputes. Can't deny that past events brought us where were are now today. Can't ignore them, won't help you at all. Coming from a historian :)

[@eymanyouwell]

@@ZerdsJames There are quite a few still alive today mate.

[@yamchayaku]

Filipino here. No one should be apologizing for anything. My parents remembered when the Japanese when they came to the Philippines, ravaged the country as well as bayonetted babies for entertainment. We lost some our family to the Japanese. The Japanese got hit by karma when the US got involved and sent two "big messages" that humbled them. Of course everyone in the Philippines including my parents heard what happened. That was history. Everything is water under the bridge, and we should just let bygones be bygones and move forward. Of course, those who have lived through those times will have difficulty forgetting it, and I don't blame them.

[@Anon-gd4mj]

For someone who has endured so much in life, her positivity is incredible and shines through! We have so much to learn from her.

[@sealestiale]

after the bomb dropped and everything was in ruins and she saw blood and peopke injured, she still looked up at the stars and remembered how beautiful they were

[@OnTheWorldStage]

This video is now part of history. As an American, I was incredibly moved by the kindness of the people in Hiroshima when I visited there three years ago. I felt ashamed to even be there, yet the moment I arrived and was lost at the station, a kind man welcomed me and told me his life story. He guided me to the street car so I could go to my hotel and waited with me on the line for ten minutes so I wouldn't be lonely. He told me that he was born the year of the atomic bomb, but was just far enough outside of the city that he survived. When I got on the street car, he briefly stepped inside and told the driver to make sure that I got off at the right stop safely (it was September 2020 and I didn't see any other foreigners while I was visiting Hiroshima). I am grateful for this interview because even Americans who cannot have the chance to visit Hiroshima in-person can hear the story of a survivor. This was incredible

[@mbank3832]

Although Japan sneak attacked Pearl Harbor, It always bothers me why American chose to retaliate on the innocent civilians rather than the Japanese Army themselves. I am not sure which side was more evil on this...

[@iversiafanatic]

@@mbank3832 America, it was the Americans on this one. Japan wasn’t innocent in ww2 but the American government did not care and had legit no reason to drop the bomb, scientifically or politically, at the time. They made it and the war was close to ending and the government said “drop it because we have it,” not thinking about the horrific implications of human death. It wasn’t in retaliation for anything, it was legitimately just to use it, which is an objectively awful reason.

[@kingwolfboss6144]

​@@iversiafanaticNo You are wrong, it was because of the decision on whether to have a full invasion on the mainland or drop the bomb.

[@mateusssssss567]

​​@@iversiafanaticOf course there was a lot of reasoning and deliberation behind the bombings. The Americans wanted to both test the effects of the atomic bomb on cities and human beings, and also assure their supremacy in the new world order that was about to be established. For that they chose to claim the lives of almost 200 thousand people. The official reason (to force the surrendering of Japan) is obviously a lie, as the Americans always do.

[@iversiafanatic]

@@mateusssssss567 oh my god yes. Finally another sane person in this comments section who actually knows history thank you

[@johnwardlaw6204]

As an American service member living in Japan with a Japanese partner, these type of interviews bring me to tears every time. I can’t offer much judgement from either perspective but I know that war brings out the worst in humanity and should be avoided at all costs.

[@jimcatanzaro7808]

Dating the enemies

[@TayoEXE]

It also brings out a lot of hypocrisy in modern Americans who have never once even tried to look at the average civillians on the receiving end of the most dangerous and horrifying weapon in history. Treating them all like nationalistic monsters as stereotypes and propaganda-defined monsters full of misinformation and dehumanization. Everyone seems to agree war brings out the worst in us, but it's more sickening to hear modern Americans who weren't even alive during the time preach about how they "deserved" it, including the 10s of thousands of children who wouldn't even have a clue what was going on. Whether they believe it was "necessary" is a matter of ongoing discussion, but "deserved" is such a self-righteous, unjustifiable attitude.

[@danielgonzalez7541]

So you are an invading gringo occupying Japan and stealing their women. Cut the "service member" bs, you are not serving anybody other than the imperial war machine.

[@booradley6832]

The only option worse than dropping the bomb was not dropping it. Months of grinding attritional warfare, civilian deaths to starving and disease, every imaginable kind of suicide bombers, old people and children defending their towns with spears, saturation and firebombing campaigns, a million casualties expected just to get a beachhead fully secured. Invading the home islands was a dreadful thing and Truman tried to talk them into surrendering but we all know how that turned out. They dropped leaflets with lists of cities that were potential targets for bombing that urged people to leave for the mountains to save their lives, and tried (but failed due to an inaccurate drop) to focus the attacks on the military and manufacturing sectors. Truman's diary from July 25th has a great section in it: "This weapon is to be used against Japan between now and August 10th. I have told the Sec. of War, Mr. Stimson, to use it so that military objectives and soldiers and sailors are the target and not women and children. Even if the Japs are savages, ruthless, merciless and fanatic, we as the leader of the world for the common welfare cannot drop that terrible bomb on the old capital or the new. He and I are in accord. The target will be a purely military one and we will issue a warning statement asking the Japs to surrender and save lives. I’m sure they will not do that, but we will have given them the chance. It is certainly a good thing for the world that Hitler’s crowd or Stalin’s did not discover this atomic bomb. It seems to be the most terrible thing ever discovered, but it can be made the most useful..." I am sorry that she had to live through that, and its unfortunate that it was the "best" path forward, but I still cant find a way to say that Truman was wrong to have done so. I am glad she survived and that she has a positive opinion of the former enemy, which implies a lot in itself. I am glad she is speaking and that her story wont go away when she eventually does as well.

[@이상호-p3c]

Japan should stop victim playing. They were the aggressors in Asia. 6.5 million Koreans and 13 million Chinese were killed by Japan. They should be humble and stop bitching about the nuke

[@joserpulido1959]

This is the type of content the internet was created for; sharing these stories for people around the world to see and learn about the horrors of war and how we can still overcome these tragedies. Fantastic interview, Takashii.

[@adamhurst9491]

The internet like all of mans creations exists to make money. That is mans legacy; Greed.

[@daleparker9049]

Thank you both for this. This woman is a wonderful example of the best of us. Such a wonderful woman with such a great attitude!

[@MyriadofNeglect]

Thank you for interviewing her. These are the stories that matter. I can't imagine such a happening experience... She is an inspiration, being a victim of war and able to have the will to not let it define her life. I hope to remember her struggles whenever I have negative thoughts.

[@MyriadofNeglect]

Also it's also okay to hate the U.S. military or any military or the government. I think most citizens would not be offended especially from this perspective.

[@ovs4744]

@@MyriadofNeglect how about from the perspective of the millions of chinese people murdered by imperial Japan?

[@CCela1608]

The way she described such a horrific event and then said it was a stepping stone for her to go on to be determined to work hard and live a joyful life hit me like a ton of bricks. I feel I've led too sheltered of a life and have barely endured any stress, yet i struggle to be happy. What a fabulous perspective she has and i will apply it to my heart to see life the way she does ❤

[@Geogaddii]

What a valuable historiography. The story of the riceball and its normality in a totally abnormal situation, was so poignant and heart rending. Thank you for educating me.

[@kerolokerokerolo]

you can clearly see how vivid that memory still is in her mind after all of these years

[@みかんぱん-e2d]

​@jude63294 日本人なら、なぜそんな字で名前を書くのですか？ 日本人の私には全く読めない字です。

[@dito_gds1858]

"That event was really the stepping stone for me to have a wonderful life, if not I may have wondered through life aimlessly" This really hit me, especially because right now I think I'm probably just going on about life aimlessly and hearing Aiko-sama's words really made me think about how strong willed she must be. I'm also going to try to become stronger and better. Thank you for the inspiration and rest in piece to all of the people that were tragically killed on that day.

[@eekeek7064]

I‘m sure you are not as aimless as you think - for example, you chose to leave a valuable and reflective comment here, which shows that you are a kind, thoughtful person. Sometimes it’s these small choices that really show what path you’re on, not the large „milestones“ in life. Also theses phases of aimless wandering in life are important to find out what you really want. It means being open and dynamic. So don’t beat yourself up for not having achieved anything big yet (or maybe you even have, I don’t know ya). :D That time will come - whatever this big achievement is for you. :)

[@dito_gds1858]

@@eekeek7064 Thank you so much for the kind, honest and uplifting words. I really appreciate the great advice!

[@yurtyybomb]

This is your most important video, Takashi. Can't help but feel how tragic/hopeful it is that her story reaches Americans 78 years later with a message of forgiveness, perseverance, and maintaining your spirit. Amazing.

[@michaelrs8010]

America and the Allies have nothing to be forgiven for. If she wants to forgive somebody it should be Emperor Hirohito and the Japanese militarists that started the war that led to the Japanese enslaving and brutalizing millions of people in China and all across Southeast Asia. The dropping of the atomic bombs saved lives, both Allied in Japanese. If we had had to invade the Japanese home Island Allied casualties would have been over half a million killed outright and countless hundreds of thousands wounded, some grievously. Japanese DEATHS, military and civilian, including old men, women and children would likely have been over 5 million. See, ignorance is not bliss

[@originalgwaimui]

Thank you for this interview, Aiko-sama and Takashii-san. It was a blessing to hear a firsthand account of Hiroshima from a survivor.

[@jupiterio8105]

Let takashi interview firsthand accounts of atrocities in Asia

[@mustafabhadsorawala9608]

This video made me tear up. No matter how many times we do it, humans forget that war hurts children. What a strong woman! My utmost respects.

[@marilynsimpson1236]

Hands down, your most important and impactful video🤗 No fluff at all, the survivor simply "put the hay down where the goats can get it." Thank you so much for her version of those events, and I am proud of her strong survivor's spirit.👌🏾👏🏾♥️ Also, I am really glad she married snd raised a family.🙏🏽⚘

[@stephaniegee8]

She seems to be the kind of person that I would want as a neighbor - someone to visit and to have tea with. She has an amazing spirit and determination. Her story was so touching and sad, yet she displayed a strong character. You did what you had to do and didn’t complain. I think it’s right that she shares her story for therapeutic purposes and to also educate others. I wish her and her family health and happiness❤

[@KennethSakatani-f8t]

Thanks!

[@laserbeamlightning]

Perfect video to watched after I just finished Oppenheimer (just finished the video. These perspectives are so important and I’d love if you’d continue to interview older Japanese people about times past)

[@huangjun_art]

It's a good movie but, also a pretty scary movie when you know the history too. And it really shows you how evil the people were who dropped the bomb.

[@thedoublea147]

​@@huangjun_artya, because the Japanese collaborating with the Nazi's, killing millions in Asia, raping women, taking people into slavery...that wasn't evil? That shouldn't have been stopped? Delusional.

[@laserbeamlightning]

@@huangjun_art Evil? Or human just like everyone else. Did we watch the same movie because it explore the moral greys of the whole situation and the egos that were involved and yet a will for scientific discovery at the same time

[@asdfghjjhgf]

I was disappointed that Oppenheimer was a movie that was 100% from the American point of view. Not a single Japanese person appeared in that film.

[@laserbeamlightning]

@@asdfghjjhgf That's Nolan in general. I disliked that Dunkirk lacked covering any of the minority soldiers that were a massive part of that battle. That said, I'm not sure if that perspective was super necessary in the case of Oppenheimer. The guilt was evident and I'd refrain from conflating what the narrative needed vs. what viewers like us wanted

[@sabrinabenetazzo5517]

Thank you for the video. The old grandmother is really a wonderful human being! I felt so sorry listening to her story. War is the worst thing for civilians. 😢

[@neonfox3]

This video made me cry. She's such a strong and amazing woman.

[@KennethSakatani-f8t]

Thank you, Takashii for interviewing the Hiroshima survivor. As a Japanese-American, I visited the Hiroshima Peace memorial and museum in 1970. Very moving and impactful, but as she said, not at all like the horrible reality ... Amazing story of her survival and life ...

[@EGWL93]

Thank you Aiko san for her life account during that dark period. The pain and sufferings that she has gone through 78 years ago can still be shown on her expression; sadness, relieved and pain. Hopefully no one will ever had to go through once again Hiroshima and Nagasaki had before today.

[@michaelrs8010]

Well if somebody does not brutally invade and enslave the peoples of other countries they can probably avoid having a nuclear bomb dropped on them

[@niQmusiQ]

Wow, you’ve really outdone yourself this time Takashii-san! What an incredible video. Thank you for sharing this story with us and I’m really glad to see Aiko-san happy and in good health after all that has happened to her🙏❤️

[@mkelly4400]

Takashii san when I watched this interview and listened to her story my heart burst with so much emotion. I know it could not have been easy for her to speak her truth but I am so very grateful that you interviewed her and we were able to hear it. If i am able to travel to Japan in the near future I will visit Hiroshima because I think it is important for us to remember so that we dont repeat the past.

[@Zabiru-]

Amazing video Takashi. Documenting the stories of people like Aiko while we still can. She seems so lively and articulate for someone her age and she is an amazing storyteller. Thank you to her and you for sharing her story with us. Greetings from Sweden

[@dcmackc01]

Thank you for this history of surviving the horrific bombing. I have so much respect for the survivor going on to make a good life for herself and the others who also survived. It's obvious that striving through adversity is a very significant part of Japanese culture.

[@ovs4744]

Maybe if they didn’t kill/r*pe millions of chinese and south east asian people or suicide attack the americans they wouldn’t have been bombed 🤔

[@jagason7494]

Amen and yea it is

[@ky660]

This is one of your most important videos. Thank you for documenting and allowing Aiko to share her story to the world.

[@maskedman1337]

Thank you for preserving these stories. This first-hand history is literally dying out right now, so this is very important.

[@BamzyManzano]

Takashi-san, i salute you and i admire Aiko-san's courage in sharing her experiences and her thoughts about it. My ancestors also suffered during that war. I believe that generations to come should be educated and remind us to advocate world peace. Around 2007 i did had a chance to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the feeling was nostalgic.

[@FlavioDeLestival]

Often watching a movie like Oppenheimer, and knowing all the history behind this events, you really get the feeling of seeing the two sides of a same coin here. It is true that we are truly lucky to be the last generation that can talk and learn to this brave people. May their stories never be forgoten.

[@ovs4744]

Once again believing hollywood to teach them history lol. Imperial Japan had already killed/r*ped millions of chinese and South east asian people and weren’t not planning on stopping. The atomic bomb literally saved millions of lives by ending the conflict.

[@adamhurst9491]

One Hollywood movie teaches the entire history of WW2? Must have been really long.

[@FlavioDeLestival]

@@adamhurst9491 One could never tell such important and tragic history in a movie. Tho, the movie still his pretty long i admit

[@caesmonde]

Thank you for this amazing interview. I found it incredibly moving, sad, and informative.

[@thomasf.9869]

What struck me about my visit to Hiroshima, is how similar the built environment on the river is to the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, which was also bombed to oblivion in WW2, and to be rebuilt from the ground up. Both cities are a testament to human resilience. I would recommend the memorial museum in Hiroshima, which is full of human testimonies such as the one in this video.

[@End_Orca_Captivity]

What stood out so beautifully, was her description of just the simplest of things that engraved themselves in her memory. The stars and rice balls. This teaches us something for sure about having gratitude for what we have.

[@addisonyoungg8052]

The part where she talked about not succumbing to her experience and letting it affect the rest of her life experience in a negative way hit deep. This life journey is all in the mind those who are strong enough to realize that are truly blessed. ❤

[@accordsamurai]

Thank her for sharing this with us and thank you for making this video sir!!! 🇺🇸❤️🇯🇵 I appreciate hearing this from her.

[@Paula-133]

Thank You so much. I live in the US. and I am a few years younger then Aiko-sama and I only remember the horror of WWII from TV and newsreels. But it shaped they way many people in my generation grew up. Hating war and trying to find peace. I have tears in my eyes knowing she felt an apology was needed about soldiers behavior, it is not. She is a real hero to everyone. And Thank You so much for giving these important stories a platform. Letting her story be told. Its a good thing for young people to understand just how fragile life is letting everyone see what happens to the innocent people caught in chaos. Nothing is guaranteed on this planet, that is why understanding each other on a deeper level it so important for us all to survive.

[@hooligans7618]

Thank you for sharing her story. It is heartbreaking but important to see events how they were and learn from them. Even more powerful than visiting museums and memorials is hearing the personal account of someone who survived such horrors. Thank you Aiko-sama and thank you Takashii-san. Aiko-sama's strength really made me cry.

[@aylyncalcano2885]

Great work Takashi, this has been my favorite so far. Thank you for sharing her story, so much wisdom ❤

[@RamirezAcademy]

Her story brings me to tears especially when she explained the horrible situation of those who are burned. She's is a gentle, pure, honest and tough lady. She is so humble to say to include this video on how she clarified she doesn't hate Americans but feared them because of what happened. Bowing to you Ebisu-san! May you be given more chances to tell your story. By the way, you are also an inspiration. Thank you too Takashii.

[@flamea56]

Thank you, Takashi for the video. Very informative. My biggest takeaway from the interview was what she said about having to live through something isn't the same as going to the museum. I would even add if I have a chance to go to japan, I would like to do what you did for this video and talk to some of the people. She painted a true color of what her experience was like as a kid something that stood out to me the most. Thanks again for the video

[@mk_annan22]

One of the most important interviews you had taken Takashii. This video was really vital to understand the horrors of Atomic warfare from a survivor's perspective. Respect to Aiko Ebisu from Bangladesh.

[@duncanfrere2656]

Beautiful interview! Thanks so much to you both for sharing these memories with us.

[@foxcrow]

My visit to the museum was the most intensely sad experience I've ever had. Although it can't truly represent the horror and suffering that happened to people that day and in the aftermath, it is an important reminder of the destruction of nuclear weapons and war in general. I'm so glad Ebisu-san had a great life after the war.

[@AlreadyHere-]

Try visiting making massacre museum and 731 museum too .

[@OtomoTenzi]

It's good to see you showing such respect and kindness by interviewing elders, Takashii... Especially the older generation, who have been through all kinds of HELL. You are one of the most HONEST and HUMBLE people that I've ever seen on KZbin. Your words are very comforting to others, and your attitude is so down-to-earth. Being younger is NOT everything. Knowing the way that the world is right now, it just simply means that you will suffer LONGER!!! 😡

[@teardrop720]

Thank you for this sincere interview. It is important to hear a first hand witness of what happened. I respect her straightforwardness and the world should demand that the US apologize for this atrocity.

[@liaahgase1154]

Thank you so much for this meaningful video. Glad to hear the story from a survivor directly instead of story from media , Great video Takashii

[@matthewjonrover]

Thank you so much for this wonderful and important video. What a wonderful woman and you are a wonderful journalist.

[@Plutonencasa]

Que entrevista increíble. No pude evitar las lagrimas al ver todo el cuadró que pintaba Aiko con sus recuerdos. Muchas Gracias

[@joshuainlondon]

Amazing interview!! Thank you Takashi as always. Great job. This interview should be watched by every single person in the world. Thank you Aiko-san as well for sharing your experience even though it must’ve been super hard to share.

[@lucaschenJC]

Little did we know how hard she has worked her whole life just to be able to have a regular life in Japan. Much respect to this Japanese lady.

[@jeannie-2172]

Thanks!

[@JulienisInterested]

The fact that she still has openness and love in her heart after all she’s been through gives me strength in my own life. As an American it means even more! This was really inspirational for me at this moment in my life. Thank you both so much for this!

[@SuperBusinessYT]

This is honestly my favorite KZbin video of all time. I shared it with all my family and friends.🙏

[@ima.ekenes]

I’m glad she didn't skip how she really felt about the American military. Who wouldn't be terrified in that situation. It's so japanese of her to apologize for telling about that! 😅 It's pretty extraordinary how the relations between Japan and USA evolved after the war.

[@chan.username]

I love art and history. Whenever I want to practice or be inspired I do potraits of people throughout history. There’s a specific photo that is imprinted in my mind of a Japanese mother, probably in her 20s like me, and a young child sitting in the middle of the destruction from the bomb. The look of bewilderment is stuck with me forever & my heart aches with those who suffer. Another note, I also study lots of psychology and not remembering intense moments in ones life is very common, you’re not dumb Aiko-sama💝

[@reyzcc]

Wow. This interview speaks how kind and strong this woman is. Even after what American did to their home, she was not angry at them. It is very inspiring how she turned her life around after all she's been through. It's true, only yourself can help you. If you submit to the darkness of the world, then you wont really see colors, so why not paint it. Thank you grandma for still being alive and share inspiring stories to us

[@adamhurst9491]

You should check out what the IJA did in Manchuria and other Asian nations.

[@garrickrespress]

What an amazing story Takashii! This is more important than any short about life. There are ao many lessons to learn from this amazing and beautiful 90 yr old woman. We really appreciate you sharing. I live in the United States near Atlanta. I absolutely love how she was determined to live a life of happiness. She is the picture of perseverance. She did not let a horrific experience define her life.

[@RumMonkeyable]

The Pearl Harbor Memorial, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, and other memorials all remind us of the tragedies of war. Let us love one another and care for everyone everywhere. There are no real winners of any war.....only sad memories of the awful events. God bless this sweet lady who shared with us her horrific experiences. ❤🙏

[@lesleypickard9732]

I am so grateful to have been able to see and hear this beautiful lady speak. I felt so much emotion for her community, family and her for what they endured. And yet her heart is not filled with hate, anger or fear. Instead she has chosen to live her life to the fullest. So often the internet is full of videos that portray how hard some people feel they have it because of one reason or another or why they do not feel they can tolerate a person, religion or nationality. And yet this lady told her story without any hate, blame, anger or anything. I wish we had more people like her in the world to help us all become better people and value what we have and each other.

[@MX5805]

I visited Hiroshima 3 weeks ago and went to Peace Memorial Park. When I went through the museum exhibit, it was hard to look at a lot of it. The clothes, the images, the fused metals, the shadowed steps, among coutless others. It will alter your perspective very quickly. Thank you so much for the interview! I'm happy that Hiroshima is thriving now. It really illustrates what Ebisu san said. When we endure we become stronger. I hope we can all be as strong as Hiroshima someday.

[@mattnarayan6147]

What a remarkable woman. Thank you for making this video Takashi. I stil remember vividly visiting the Hiroshima museum. It was so raw and heartbreaking to see, especially some of the photos and artifacts that are uncensored there. Everyone should visit the memorial site at least once in their life. Not to mention that Hiroshima is a great city to visit in and of itself as well.

[@marthablanchard4262]

Thank you Takashii! That was a powerful video. I have been a Nichiren Buddhist for nearly 36 years. I chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo like the late Tina Turner. Because of Hiroshima, Nichiren Buddhism is now being practiced in 192 countries and territories around the world. I began chanting as a youth in New York City in 1987. I pioneered Buddhism in my country thirty years ago. I live on the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. And yes Buddhism is spreading here. All throughout the world members are fighting for world peace. Thank you again for this inspiring video. Cheers!

[@plawson8577]

You forgot Herbie Hancock.

[@marthablanchard4262]

@@plawson8577 I did! 😁😆Herbie! He performed at our Jazz Festival here and communicated with us. Some time in the 90s. Cheers!

[@robjohnson1197]

Thanks!

[@vhyleung]

Thanks Takashi for sharing this. No one will ever truly understand what they went through during that time, other than the survivors like Ebisu-san. I've been to Nagasaki earlier this year, and will have to visit Hiroshima one day .

[@ajjia51]

What an inspiring and strong woman. Despite the horrible phase of her life she had to face, she's still kind, forgiving and open🙏 Thanks a lot for what you're doing Takashi, these stories are so needed now. I visited Hiroshima a few years ago and I love the city❤

[@Kennygbigdaddy]

This is a great video. I have never heard this from the point of view of a Japanese person. It’s great to see she survived and we all should visit museum as this helps our 2 nations understand each other better and so all we can to never repeat the mistakes of the past we all made.

[@EvaVDavid]

Hi Takashii, I visited Hiroshima in 2019. I traveled all the way from Niigata but it was totally worth it. I visited the museum too and it was so painful to watch all the photos and read the stories from the survivors. Thank you for making this video. It's certainly different from your regular video but I love this video the most!

[@mykahnetzky1151]

I am visiting Japan with some friends in 3 weeks (from the US) and we have a day trip to Hiroshima planned. Thank you so much for sharing Aiko's story, Takashii-san. Her tragic experience has already impacted me deeply, and I look forward to learning more perspectives in a couple weeks time. P.S. Takashii-san, it's so impressive that you can produce great interviews for both serious and lighthearted topics. I think it says a lot about how talented you are 😁. Looking forward to your future videos!

[@michaelrs8010]

Yes please research and learn more. Particularly how the Japanese military behaved in China and the Philippines and other areas they occupied and how they treated prisoners-of-war. Maybe do a little research on Japanese Army Unit 731 and what they did for fun during WWII.

[@NaomiTru]

@Tahashifromjapan I have been watching your videos for almost a year now. This is one of the most important interviews you have done. I was in tears and am ashamed of how horrible humans are. God bless Aiko-San you are truly beautiful and amazing to have been thru so much and yet you still have so much love in your heart. I cannot imagine what it was like but I am eternally thankful for your willingness to share during this interview. I’m returning to Japan soon and will do my best to honor those who passed and visit the memorial. Thank you most indefinitely for sharing these memories and such an important message. Lord please bring healing and peace to our broken world and help those who have been thru such unimaginable pain 🙏🏽 🙇🏽‍♀️

[@Sivart713]

Great job Takashi. We all know the survivors of Hiroshima/Nagasaki AND anyone ever involved in WW2 in their lifetime. They are about to disappear in this world. So it's important that we are still able to gain some wisdom from them before they leave.

[@yukli573]

This vid will be a part of history

[@gray-fox6789]

Such a lovely and nice lady... And yet with what happened in her life that not many people would experienced those horrible memories, she strived and came out successfully in life and able to raise a family.... May we never experienced the horrors of war ever again 😢❤

[@EricaInTokyo]

She’s so articulate given her age. It was fascinating hearing her story. I’m sure she has so much more she could tell. I’m American and I had relatives who fought in WWII. I was taught about WWII from the American perspective, and only recently started learning about the Japanese perspective. I’m moving to Japan at the end of the year and I definitely want to visit Hiroshima ❤

[@ovs4744]

You mean the perspective of Japan killing 10 million+ chinese and south east asian people and their horrible chemical warfare ?

[@giantsizegeek]

Thank you for making video, very valuable to capture such memories. She is very alert & vibrant for her age. She impressed me so much with her positive attitude, despite living through the horrific events in Hiroshima.

[@Sil_ver_Sumer_]

Would just like to say as an American I dont think she said anything wrong about Americans. She is kind being able to not hate America after everything that happened to her. I dont think any American would have a right to blame her if she did. What happened to her was horrific beyond words and she had to endure months of trama after as well. Despite that she never seemed to speak from hate in this interview only from a desire to tell the truth. A wonderful episode and truly insightful to know exactly what it was like for her.

[@xFallenRagex]

I think that most her fear and anger towards the americans was due to being fed lies about what they would do to her if they caught her as a female. They were projecting. When the islands were being invaded and the Japanese had to retreat they told that stuff to the inhabitants of the island and gave them grenades to kill themselves and their families. Most did not know how to operate it so they chose to beat their families to death, wives and children. Then proceeded to wait for their fate, only when the americans got there, the did not rape, they did not torture, they did not murder... they gave them food and blankets, the horror some of those men went through over that was one of the most tragic things of the war. She did not say anything i thought derrogetory or hateful towards the americans... only her thoughts and what she was told. And this makes me sad the most... to know she spent so much time in fear and hiding through her youngest years all because of unwarranted hate towards anohter race...

[@MrPriego1]

Would you say the same about American survivors of pearl harbor?

[@ahmvedakeel]

@@MrPriego1yes ofc

[@セトラキアン-n2r]

@@MrPriego1 Roosevelt knew about the attack on Pearl Harbor and avoided the residents. I didn't make it difficult. Because it was necessary to show the American people the existence of a cowardly and despicable Japan as an excuse to drop a nuclear bomb on Japan. If you regret the civilians who died at Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt, hold a grudge against the U.S. government at that time. Testimony of the fighter pilot Yoshio Shiga at that time. ↓ There is no way to tell the U.S. government 30 minutes before the start of the attack to deliver the ultimatum to the cancellation of the Japan-U.S. negotiations. Even though it was, it was not until after the war that I learned that the notification was delayed due to the negligence of the Japanese Embassy in Washington and I was not able to start the attack in time. This was a very regrettable thing. However, about the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States says it is a "deception", but by then, the war had to start, wasn't it? At least when we attacked, we were completely defensive, not just a deception. Otherwise, there's no way you can fight back so quickly. If it's the United States, I think that if we didn't say "deception", the face of the upper management of the military would not stand up. That's why I excited public opinion. Because it's a country of public opinion.

[@tomburns7544]

Thank you for making this video. Very different from your usual videos but so important. Thank you again!

[@Creepytaco95]

Great video. 7 years ago about a week after the anniversary, I went to Hiroshima. I couldn’t even fathom the hell that was unleashed there. It’s stunning that human beings could do something so awful to each other. As an American, I felt it necessary to apologize for what my country had done there when I met with hibakusha. Their answer touched me. The translator for the elderly lady said that the Buddhist faith encourages forgiveness, and that Japan also did very bad things during the war. WW2 really was humanity’s lowest point. I hope that with the world being more interconnected than ever, there’s a better understanding of each other so that a conflict like WW2 never happens again. I hope to see nuclear weapons gone from this earth within my lifetime.

[@iversiafanatic]

The good news is the mistakes of WW2 are echoed in the halls of history. When you learn about nuclear fission and the technology to make weapons, most universities will emphasize the hurt this technology can cause. We can’t control the government but individual physicists are understanding their place in history and how they can stop tragedies from happening with their work. Nuclear weapons may not be gone, but the desire to make them is mostly gone from the people who can. No sane scientist under any circumstance would want to develop a new weapon of mass destruction in 2023. We see far more development in the field of quantum optics then nuclear tech, at least in my experience. It doesn’t fix what happened but I hope it helps someone feel better.

[@StradaleF430]

​@@MyPronounIsGoddessUNIT 731

[@Creepytaco95]

@@MyPronounIsGoddessI wouldn’t expect Japanese politicians to apologize (just as I wouldn’t expect a US president to apologize for the bombs) but the people I talked to in Hiroshima all knew about Nanking and other Japanese atrocities and were deeply ashamed of it. As I said in my original comment, WW2 was humanity’s darkest period. Every major power involved committed horrific atrocities at some point during the war. There’s no point in blaming future generations for what people decades before they were alive did. That’s just stupid lol.

[@Creepytaco95]

@@MyPronounIsGoddessYou can apologize for things even if you had no involvement in them. It’s about having empathy for other people and being a good person. It’s a gesture that helps move the world forward.

[@totalhufflepuff203]

@@MyPronounIsGoddesshe literally says the woman recognised that Japan did horrible shit in the war too, so probably.

[@kgpz100]

I was crying by the end of the video, but when Ms. Ebisu started to reflect upon what she had said about the US military and retracted some of her statements, I couldn't help but laugh. That was probably the most Japanese approach to the situation - she knew people who died, her siblings were poisoned by radiation, and she wasn't allowed to go to school in Niigata, but she still felt the need to apologize to the American military for her description. What a wonderful soul. If she ever wants to visit America, I live near New York City and I would absolutely host this woman!

[@adamhurst9491]

Learn about what Imperial Japan did to its neighbors. Start with the Rape of Nanking

[@celinecgwc]

Thank you so much for this testimony❤ my tears fell so easily as she started speaking. Moving and hurtfull story ...

[@andrewthielmann5342]

What an absolutely wonderful woman and a heartbreaking tale. I'm so sorry for all she lost but so happy she's lived such a long peaceful life. Also, thank you Takashii for interviewing her. This was an excellent episode.

[@davidbetancourt4028]

One of your best videos yet. Emotional. What a wonderful woman. She was so clear and concise with her ability to relate, especially given her age. Thank you for this.

[@Luchiinku]

Wow Takashii reaching out to Hiroshima survivors now! That's really amazing!

[@susonpardew4028]

My mother is from Hokkaido, she was in middle school on the day the bomb dropped. Her experiences were nothing like this lady but she told me of the aftermath on her deathbed. I am half Japanese, half American. Thank you for recording her testimony.

[@thainoi888]

I've visited Hiroshima July 2023, it's humbling to be in that city, it's so hard to walk through the museum without getting emotional. This lady is such an inspiration to listen and watching how she's a fighter in life and being over 90 with sharp mind is something awesome for her and family, great video Takashii! hope there's no more atom bomb in any lifetime either.

[@osman3404]

THANK U for this Interview and I learned so much from this Amazing lady … it’s incredible how much grace she has and cared about not offending US troops.

[@gordonsteuart8620]

This is absolutely your best work to date Takashii. Props!...Everyone in the world should see this. Ms. Ebisu-san's story is incredibly profound and penetrating. Her account of her day and aftermath (i.e., loneliness, losing her brother, shaving her head/dressing like a boy, being scared of soldiers, etc.) just hit me like a bat to the head. Thank you for sharing this.

[@LordCastleHail]

When I was in Hiroshima in Febuary, I talked to the son of the oldest still living survivor. We talked for almost an hour and it was one of the most intemse conversations I ever had. Hope, I'll meet him again when I return in November

[@kittycatkiss530]

To the lovely older lady, I dont think she needs to be sorry about how she felt about the American military. Things have changed, but it doesnt necessarily mean you have to forgive. It was wonderful to hear from her. I hope she lives out an extremely happy rest of her days.

[@la142323]

Powerful interview. Love this woman - she is amazing. Terrible what she had to go through. Important the hear actual experiences of people like her, who lived through the atomic bomb.

[@soulfoodsmama2980]

Barely 2 minutes in, I’m already crying. I honestly hope god blesses this lady with peace and happiness for the rest of her life. Thank you for sharing this story with us. Her life, and your work creating this video is very appreciated. 🖤

[@shootpse88]

And what about the 2403 American Servicemen and woman that died at Pearl Harbor? Had the Japanese not cowardly bombed us this would have never happened to her.

[@CindymeCindy]

@@shootpse88Nobody needs to hear that. I’m sorry you missed the point.

[@ポップパンク和訳]

It hits even harder as a person who understands Japanese 😢

[@ahn155]

​@@ポップパンク和訳친절하고 정직하며 예의바른 일본인들에게 항상 평화화 행복이 가득하길 바랍니다.

[@ポップパンク和訳]

@@ahn155 hanguk-eo wakannai