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- Hiroshima-60th
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- Steve Herman
More than 55,000 people gathered in Hiroshima's Peace Park for a memorial to those who died in the world's first atomic attack. This year's ceremony comes at a time when many of the survivors fear Japan is taking a turn back to the right because of political desires to change the country's pacifist Constitution and there is talk in the mainstream that Japan one day might have its own nuclear weapons.
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Piece Description
More than 55,000 people gathered in Hiroshima's Peace Park for a memorial to those who died in the world's first atomic attack. This year's ceremony comes at a time when many of the survivors fear Japan is taking a turn back to the right because of political desires to change the country's pacifist Constitution and there is talk in the mainstream that Japan one day might have its own nuclear weapons.
Broadcast History
airing 6 August on VOA
Transcript
INTRO:
The Japanese city of Hiroshima is marking the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city by a U.S. military aircraft in the closing days of World War Two. More than 50-thousand people attended a somber ceremony on Saturday and, elsewhere in the city, international groups met to renew vows to eliminate all nuclear weapons. Steve Herman reports from Hiroshima, Japan.
TEXT:
///NATSOT OF CHILDREN’S CHOIR, EST. & FADES UNDER///
Thousands of elderly survivors of the bombing, joined by Japanese and foreign dignitaries, bowed their heads at 8:15 a.m. - the exact moment of the attack -- offering silent prayers for world peace and for the souls of those who died in the atomic detonation.
///NATSOT OF CALL TO PRAYER AND BELL TOLLING, EST. & FADES UNDER///
Cicadas buzzed amid wafting incense in the hot and humid air as an additional five-thousand-375 names wer...
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Additional Files
- lede/script (PRXHiroshima60th.rtf)
- Water, collected from 16 different locations in Hiroshima, is dedicated to the souls of those who died in the bombing begging for water. (hiroshima03.jpg)
- Some 1,000 doves are released after the conclusion of the mayor's peace declaration (doves09.jpg)
- A representative of the bereaved families and a representative of children jointly ring a bell for one minute during silent prayer. (hiroshima06.jpg)
