Unlocking Mixed Emotions: Hiroshima Survivors React to ‘Oppenheimer’ Release
Emotions were mixed for some of Hiroshima’s older citizens who lived through the war and were directly affected by the bomb and its aftereffects.
Former Hiroshima Mayor’s Critique
Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Hope
Inspiring Future Generations
Audience’s Judgment
Some of Hiroshima’s older citizens who lived through the war and were directly affected by the bomb and its aftereffects had mixed emotions upon watching “Oppenheimer.” Former Hiroshima mayor Takashi Hiraoka expressed that there could have been much more description and depiction of the horror of atomic weapons. Despite this, he encouraged people to go and see it, as he shared his thoughts with The Guardian following a screening earlier in March.
On the other hand, atomic bomb survivor Teruko Yahata shared her excitement to see the film and admitted feeling empathy for the real-life J. Robert Oppenheimer. She even hoped that a new anti-nuclear fervor might emerge from further screenings. Professor Masao Tomonaga, another survivor, believed that the film might inspire future generations to take up the cause of eliminating nuclear weapons since those who survived Hiroshima and Nagasaki are growing older. He stated, “[I]t’s now up to future generations to decide how to rid the world of nuclear weapons.”
In contrast, Toshiyuki Mimaki expressed disappointment that the film did not show the bombings or their aftermath. He emphasized the importance of showing the full story, including the victims, if a future without nuclear weapons is to be achieved.
Audiences all over Japan — and even in the United States — now have the chance to judge for themselves whether the film feels true to life by watching “Oppenheimer” at home or in select theaters.