Items of an A-bomb victim who died the day he enlisted to be displayed

japantimes.co.jpPublished: 4/29/2025

Summary

As the world marks the 80th anniversary of World War II,Michiko Takagaki has chosen to display the personal belongings of her relative,Takayoshi Tatara, who enlisted in a regional artillery unit just days before the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6,1945. At age 26,Tatara had already lost his life that morning when the bomb was dropped some 700 meters from where he signed up. Takagaki,now 79, shares her emotions about taking on this somber task: "We have a responsibility as people who have survived until today.I had to do something."