Hiroshima University (HU) held a symposium on April 16 titled "The Abolition of Nuclear Weapons – Preparation for Radiation Disaster," coinciding with HU's 75+75 anniversary and the G7 Hiroshima Summit.

The event aimed to share proposals regarding the abolition of nuclear weapons and preparedness for radiation disasters, particularly from the perspective of Hiroshima, the city devastated by the atomic bomb and the birthplace of radiation disaster medicine.

Professor Shinji Yoshinaga from HU's Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (RIBM) delivered a presentation titled "The Database of A-bomb Survivors and Its Research at RIBM." Professor Satoshi Tashiro, also from RIBM, spoke about "Medical Developments for Nuclear Threats." The RIBM was established at HU to provide medical care for A-bomb survivors and conduct research on radiation damage.

The symposium also featured presentations by representatives from the Hiroshima Prefectural Medical Association-led International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), which has close ties with RIBM and the School of Medicine at HU.

Dr. Toshiyuki Ohta, the executive director of the Hiroshima Prefectural Medical Association, gave a lecture on "The Coming and Going of the IPPNW Japan Chapter." HU Emeritus Professor Nanao Kamada presented a lecture titled "Hiroshima University and the Japan IPPNW Japan Chapter."

Many people ranging from exchange students, faculty, and staff to general citizens attended the symposium. Approximately 140 people attended, both in person and online, demonstrating the profound interest and dedication shown even on a Sunday.