Pursuing a Method for Approaching Invisible Nuclear Disasters: From the Perspective of Global-Hibakusha

Abstract

This study explores a new approach to understand suffering people and the realities of nuclear disasters by investigating the actual conditions of nuclear damage found in the Marshall Islands, where the United States conducted sixty seven nuclear testings.

This study introduces an original perspective of “Global-Hibakusha” beyond the discourse saying Japan is the only nation to have been hit by nuclear bombs. This new perspective focuses on the people suffering from nuclear disasters, which have often been overlooked in discussions on “a world without nuclear weapons.” However, it is extremely difficult to view the realities of nuclear damages because radioactivity is an invisible substance. In addition, it often induces invisible damage in political and social contexts.

The Marshall Islands tells us that nuclear disasters cannot be measured only by the development of cancers and thyroid problems but that the destruction of the cultural and psychological aspects, as well as the deprivation of the fundamentals of life, must also be considered. In the Marshall Islands, nuclear damage exists beyond the geographical area that is recognized by the U. S. What cannot be bypassed are the additional hardships such as the U.S. medical follow-up research that has plagued the effected local people. It is difficult to draw a clear line to determine the extent of nuclear damages because the ranges and dimensions of its influence can develop unlimitedly.

How can we get a closer look at the unseen comprehensive damage caused by nuclear development? Doing so requires both macro and micro perspectives. The macro perspective critically reexamines the already acknowledged effects and damages posed by perpetrators, taking into consideration structures of discrimination behind nuclear development.

The micro perspective explores subsistence that is basis of the survival rooted to the land, by listening carefully to their testimonies and getting close to the affected land and its people

This study presents Global-Hibakusha method that can be used to approach the nuclear disaster, wearing bifocals to see both the micro and macro perspectives. The concept of Global-Hibakusha is a visualization system of the nuclear disasters as well as to reestablish the agenda of what nuclear issues are in peace studies.