Japan's Last Superhero Dies

[Dunkirk101]

I guess he was proof that Radiation overdose really DOES give some people superpowers

Sole Double Atomic Bomb Survivor Dies in Japan
Wednesday, January 06, 2010


Print ShareThisTOKYO — Tsutomu Yamaguchi, the only person officially recognized as a survivor of both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings at the end of World War II, has died at age 93.

Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima on a business trip for his shipbuilding company on Aug. 6, 1945, when a U.S. B-29 dropped an atomic bomb on the city. He suffered serious burns to his upper body and spent the night in the city.

He then returned to his hometown of Nagasaki, about 190 miles southwest, which suffered a second U.S. atomic bomb attack three days later.

On Aug. 15, 1945, Japan surrendered, ending the war.

The mayor of Nagasaki said "a precious storyteller has been lost," in a message posted on the city's Web site Wednesday. Yamaguchi died Monday morning of stomach cancer, the mass circulation Mainichi, Asahi and Yomiuri newspapers reported.

Yamaguchi was the only person to be certified by the Japanese government as having been in both cities when they were attacked, although other dual survivors have also been identified.

"My double radiation exposure is now an official government record. It can tell the younger generation the horrifying history of the atomic bombings even after I die," Yamaguchi was quoted in the nationwide Mainichi newspaper last year.

In his later years, Yamaguchi gave talks about his experiences as an atomic bomb survivor and often expressed his hope that such weapons would be abolished.

He spoke at the United Nations in 2006, wrote books and songs about his experiences, and appeared in a documentary about survivors of both attacks.

Last month he was visited in the hospital by filmmaker James Cameron, director of "Titanic" and "Avatar," who is considering making a movie about the bombings, according to the Mainichi.

Immediately after the war, Yamaguchi worked as a translator for American forces in Nagasaki and later as a junior high school teacher.

Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bombs. About 140,000 people were killed in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki.

Yamaguchi is one of about 260,000 people who survived the attacks. Some bombing survivors have developed various illnesses from radiation exposure, including cancer and liver illnesses.

Certification as an atomic bomb survivor in Japan qualifies individuals for government compensation, including monthly allowances, free medical checkups and funeral costs

link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews

[Evil Homer]

I don't think superpowers are the point of this story.

[Dunkirk101]

Its just the fact that this guy survived two Mushroom Clouds in a row, and STILL lived to be almost 100, that in itself is a miracle.

[Evil Homer]

That's true. Very sad that he's gone.

[Freethinker]

Yamaguchi was the only person to be certified by the Japanese government as having been in both cities when they were attacked, although other dual survivors have also been identified.

Ahh...the wonders of American military superiority. Ain't it wunnerful.

In his later years, Yamaguchi gave talks about his experiences as an atomic bomb survivor and often expressed his hope that such weapons would be abolished.

Gee......he musta been one 'o them durty unAmerican agitators we hear so much about.

He spoke at the United Nations in 2006, wrote books and songs about his experiences, and appeared in a documentary about survivors of both attacks.

Danged that eville Nip....what a durty trick it was for Yahweh was to let his yellow-skinned ass survive both attacks, and to later spill the beans about them.

Last month he was visited in the hospital by filmmaker James Cameron, director of "Titanic" and "Avatar," who is considering making a movie about the bombings, according to the Mainichi.

Damned that commie pinko traitor James Cameron! How dare he paint the saintly leaders of the Amuuurican government in a bad light!

Certification as an atomic bomb survivor in Japan qualifies individuals for government compensation, including monthly allowances, free medical checkups and funeral costs.

AIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!! Don't tell me that crummy goddamned Jap was provided free health care!!?! He's even more unAmerican than I thought.

[/sarcasm]

[paulc]

Interesting to know the chances of having survived both attacks. I guess it wasn't meant to be.

[SpaceProg]

I can only imagine what he felt when upon reaching home in Nagasaki after the first attack in Hiroshima, he's greeted by ANOTHER bomb right in the town he lived in.
I'd be feeling like... "Well F--- me..."

Lucky guy to have survived as long as he did. Amazing.

[koutaka]

Uh, I'm sorry on behalf Japan for WW2, but, could thinking "I'm very very happy when many people in enemy country die" be on justice?

[SpaceProg]

The only thing I can say to you Koutaka, is "War is hell" on both sides. Hindsight's 20/20 and I don't know if the US would have done the same thing if they had it to do over again.
I hate that so many innocent civilians lose lives in any war. Hell. That's what it is.

[koutaka]

Yeah, I know. I think too.

[The Praetorian]

Originally Posted by koutaka

Uh, I'm sorry on behalf Japan for WW2...

I'm not. You got EXACTLY what you deserved after attacking us like a bunch of cowards. That said, I bet you're happy that we introduced you to aluminum and the free market, right? Admittedly, South Korea had it easier, but then again, that's neither here nor there (especially, given the comparison).

[Dunkirk101]

Umm.. I thnk they attacked us because we were meddling in their affairs. They were in a war with china and we started an embargo that cut off 90% of their oil supplies.

With that being said, there is an old saying that goes "there are no winners of losers in war, there are only survivors". It is good that Tsutomu Yamaguchi survived long enough for his story to be told to the world!

[The Praetorian]

Originally Posted by Dunkirk101

Umm.. I thnk they attacked us because we were meddling in their affairs. They were in a war with china and we started an embargo that cut off 90% of their oil supplies.

"Meddling in THEIR affairs"??? In all honesty, you're right, we were. Barring their genocidal efforts in China, and what happened (subsequently) at Pearl Harbor, how "evil" of us, indeed.

[Dunkirk101]

No sir. That war between Japan and China had nothing to do with us. Just like the war between North and South Vietnam had nothing to do with us either.

[The Praetorian]

Originally Posted by Dunkirk101

No sir. That war between Japan and China had nothing to do with us. Just like the war between North and South Vietnam had nothing to do with us either.

And the war between Germany and the rest of EUROPE had (technically) "nothing" to do with us either. WTF is your point?

[The Praetorian]

Vietnam aside, you're shortsighted in the extreme (and there was good cause for that ("PROGRESSIVE") war, too).

[rendova]

Originally Posted by Dunkirk101

Umm.. I thnk they attacked us because we were meddling in their affairs. They were in a war with china and we started an embargo that cut off 90% of their oil supplies.

With that being said, there is an old saying that goes "there are no winners of losers in war, there are only survivors". It is good that Tsutomu Yamaguchi survived long enough for his story to be told to the world!

It wasn't so much as a war with China as it was a pillage.

[LionelHutz]

We didn't really meddle in their affairs. We told them if they're going to go out and rape Nanking, we're not going to sell them scrap iron and other stuff, which is clearly an area that is our affair. It was, after all, our scrap iron and other stuff.

[Dunkirk101]

Originally Posted by LionelHutz

We didn't really meddle in their affairs. We told them if they're going to go out and rape Nanking, we're not going to sell them scrap iron and other stuff, which is clearly an area that is our affair. It was, after all, our scrap iron and other stuff.

Agreed

[koutaka]

Originally Posted by The Praetorian

I'm not. You got EXACTLY what you deserved after attacking us like a bunch of cowards. That said, I bet you're happy that we introduced you to aluminum and the free market, right? Admittedly, South Korea had it easier, but then again, that's neither here nor there (especially, given the comparison).

Yeah, I know. I think you mention about Hull note, and I reserched some of documents about before WW2, all of documents suggest that Japan didn't have to declare war.

By the way, it's about historical science issue, I don't think Japan wanted colonies naively. It was the excuse for getting more budget for army. It's like now of North Korea.
I'm sad I don't have enough English skill to describe all of it, but basically, so.

[sedan]

Originally Posted by koutaka

I'm sad I don't have enough English skill to describe all of it, but basically, so.

You're showing a lot of improvement.

Keep up the good work.

[Dunkirk101]

[SpaceProg]

Yes indeed, Koutaka. Your English is doing fine and getting better. I daresay you probably speak English better than most at allforums can speak Japanese.