Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pftt2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-20T01:21:08.658Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Comparison of Rescue and Relief Activities Within 72 Hours of the Atomic Bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2013

Yuko Matsunari  and
Nao Yoshimoto
Yuko Matsunari*
Affiliation:
Department of Fundamental Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
Nao Yoshimoto
Affiliation:
Department of Fundamental Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
*
Correspondence: Yuko Matsunari, RN, MHS Department of Fundamental Nursing Faculty of Medicine School of Health Sciences Kagoshima University 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka Kagoshima 890-8544 Japan E-mail matsuy@health.nop.kagoshima-u.ac.jp
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Purpose

To clarify the factors and reasons for the differences in the outcomes of rescue and relief efforts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, mainly focusing on the numbers of rescue/relief staffs and casualties in the period within 72 hours of the atomic bombings in August 1945.

Methods

By retrieving the data and information from the records and reports concerning the disasters in the two cities, together with other publications as to the damages by the atomic bombings and subsequent rescue-relief activities, and restoration activities.

Results and Conclusions

It seems that there was less damage in Nagasaki, where a stronger atomic bomb was used than in Hiroshima. There were crucial geographic factors that led to the different effects in terms of the numbers of victims; however, systematic organization and mobilization of rescue and relief staffs, maintenance of functional transportation, and advanced medical knowledge and public warning with regard to disaster all may have contributed to a lower death toll and increase in survivors in Nagasaki.

MatsunariY, YoshimotoN. Comparison of Rescue and Relief Activities Within 72 Hours of the Atomic Bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(6):1-7.

Keywords

atomic bombdisasterHiroshimaNagasakireliefrescue
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 6 , December 2013 , pp. 536 - 542
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Matsunari, Y, Nozawa, S, Sakata, Ket al. Individual testimonies on nursing care after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Int Nurs Rev. 2008;55(1):13-19.Google ScholarPubMed
2.Nakao, R, Matsunari, Y. Survey on the nurses’ relief activity during the Nagasaki atomic bombing. Health Sci Res. 2010;22(2):9-15.Google Scholar
3.Japan National Preparatory Committee. Hibaku no Jisso to Hibakusha no Jitsujo 1977 (The real facts of radiation exposure and the current situations of the victims of the atomic bombing 1977), NGO International Symposium on the Damage and Aftereffects of Atomic Bombing. Asahi Evening News. 1978:105.Google Scholar
4.Ohyane, A. Shakaigaku teki Saigai no Ichishiten (From a sociological point of view concerning the damage caused by disasters): Hisai Seikatsu no Renzokusei to Saigaibunka no Gugenka (Continuity of disaster-stricken life and embodiment of culture damaged by disasters). Nenpo Kansai Shakaigaku Ronshu (The Annals of Sociology Kansai Area). 1992;5.Google Scholar
5.Committee for the Complication of Materials on Damage Caused by the Atomic Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The Physical, Medical, and Social Effects of the Atomic Bombings. Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten, 1979.Google Scholar
6.Hiroshima Ken Genbaku Shogaisha Taisaku Kyougikai (Hiroshima Prefectural Council for Support of Victims Disabled by the Atomic Bombing). Hiroshima Genbaku Iryo-shi (The Medical History of Hiroshima after the Atomic Bombing). Hiroshima: Hiroshima Ken Genbaku Shogaisha Taisaku Kyougikai; 1961.Google Scholar
7.Hiroshima Shiyakusho. Hiroshima Genbaku Sensaishi (Record of the Hiroshima A-bomb War Disaster (RHAWD)) Vol.1. Hiroshima: Hiroshima Shiyakusho, 1971.Google Scholar
8.Nagasaki Shiyakusho. Nagasaki Genbaku Sensaishi (Record of the Nagasaki A-bomb War Disaster (RNAWD)) Vol.1. Nagasaki: Nagasaki Kokusai Bunka Kaikan (Nagasaki International Cultural Hall), 1971.Google Scholar
9.Hiroshima Ken (Hiroshima Prefecture). Hiroshima Ken Shi (The History of Hiroshima Prefecture). Hiroshima: Hiroshima Ken, 1972.Google Scholar
10.Genbaku J ut shunen Kinen Shuppan Iinkai. Tsuioku: Nagasaki Ika Daigaku Genshi Bakudan Giseisha no Rei ni Sasagu. Nagasaki: Nagasaki Genbaku Jisshunen Kinen Shuppan Iinkai, 1955.Google Scholar
11.Shirabe, R, Yazaki, T, Matsuo, Y. Nagasaki-Bakushinchi Fukugen no Kiroku (Nagasaki-Record of Reconstruction of the Central Bombed Area). R. Shirabe (ed.). Tokyo: Nippon Hoso Shuppan Kyokai (Japan Broadcasting Publishing Co., Ltd.), 1972.Google Scholar
12.Nagasaki Faculty of Medicine. Wasure enu Hi (The Unforgettable Day): Reconstruction from the disaster of the atomic bombing Fiftieth Igaku Dousou Kinen Jigyoukai. Nagasaki: Nagasaki Ikadaigaku Fiftieth Anniversary of reconstruction from the atomic bombing disaster, 1995.Google Scholar
13.Minami, H, Shindo, Y, Nakashima, M, et al. Saigai ni okeru Kango Shien Netto Waaku no Kouchiku ni kansuru Kenkyu Hokoku (Report on the study concerning the establishment of nursing support network in disasters). Hyogo: College of Nursing Art and Science, 2000.Google Scholar
14.Matsuo, M, Tani, S. Rivers and bridges as first places of refuge at the time of atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Hiroshima Peace Science. 2007;29:1-25.Google Scholar
15.Hayashi, H. Inochi wo Mamoru Jishin Bousaigaku. Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten, 2003.Google Scholar