NationStates Jolt Archive

TOKYO – A 93-year-old Japanese man has become the first person certified as a survivor of both U.S. atomic bombings at the end of World War II, officials said Tuesday.

Tsutomu Yamaguchi had already been a certified "hibakusha," or radiation survivor, of the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bombing in Nagasaki, but has now been confirmed as surviving the attack on Hiroshima three days earlier as well, city officials said.

Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima on a business trip 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 just in time for the second attack, city officials said.

"As far as we know, he is the first one to be officially recognized as a survivor of atomic bombings in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki," Nagasaki city official Toshiro Miyamoto said. "It's such an unfortunate case, but it is possible that there are more people like him."

Certification qualifies survivors for government compensation — including monthly allowances, free medical checkups and funeral costs — but Yamaguchi's compensation will not increase, Miyamoto said.

Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bomb attacks. 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. Bombing survivors have developed various illnesses from radiation exposure, including cancer and liver illnesses.

Details of Yamaguchi's health problems were not released.

Thousands survivors continue to seek official recognition after the government rejected their eligibility for compensation. The government last year eased the requirements for being certified as a survivor, following criticism the rules were too strict and neglected many who had developed illnesses that doctors have linked to radiation.

source (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090324/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_bomb_victim)

Aren't you glad that your problems aren't that bad?

Sucks to be him.

Considering how many people died in the atomic bombings, I'd say he's likely the luckiest man in the world to have survived twice.

Considering how many people died in the atomic bombings, I'd say he's likely the luckiest man in the world to have survived twice.

No, I'd say the luckiest man in the world wouldn't have been in the atomic bombings in the first case!

Considering how many people died in the atomic bombings, I'd say he's likely the luckiest man in the world to have survived twice.

he'd have been luckier if it gave him superpowers rather than cancer, i think. but then again, he has made it to 93...

Actually, he survived two atomic bombs and is now 93 years old, considering all the people that died during the attacks and afterwards, I wouldn't label him as unlucky.

Of course, I wouldn't label him as "lucky" neither.

No, I'd say the luckiest man in the world wouldn't have been in the atomic bombings in the first case!

There were hundreds of millions of people not in the atomic bombings in any way. They can't all be the luckiest man in the world.

Odds of surviving two atomic bombs > odds of not being involved in an atomic bomb drop.

Okay, this guy is DEFINETLY replacing Kenpachi Zaraki as the captain of the 11th Division when he dies. O_O

Considering how many people died in the atomic bombings, I'd say he's likely the luckiest man in the world to have survived twice.

No, I'd say the luckiest man in the world wouldn't have been in the atomic bombings in the first case!

I've had this discussion with my friends. When we hear about what would normally be an incident that would be considered unfortunate - such as a car crash - and find out that there was a silver lining, such as that no one was hurt, why do we say that the people involved were lucky? I'd describe it as better fortune to complete my car journey with my vehicle in one piece than to survive a car crash.

Just wondering, does the US government pay any compensation to these bomb survivors? Or was the money it invested into the rebuilding of Japan considered enough?

I heard about a Japanese nurse who was in Hiroshima when the first bomb went off, then 3 days later was in a hospital treating burns victims there (obviously they couldn't be treated in Hiroshima) when the second bomb went off.

Though wow the 2nd attack he must have been like Oh No Not again.
We shall call him bowl of petunias, and by interviewing him come to greater understanding in our universe.

I don't think I want this guy living near me. Once is a fluke, twice is a habit.

Just wondering, does the US government pay any compensation to these bomb survivors? Or was the money it invested into the rebuilding of Japan considered enough?

Does the UK government ever pay compensation to the survivors of Dresden?

I don't think I want this guy living near me. Once is a fluke, twice is a habit.

this is what I was thinking maybe Dr Oppenheimer is the type to hold a grudge

Does the UK government ever pay compensation to the survivors of Dresden?

I think we spent enough money on Dresden :tongue:

Does the UK government ever pay compensation to the survivors of Dresden?

I've no idea, but I'd hope so. And this is unrelated to what I asked.

He's still luckier than anybody that died of radiation poisoning...

Reminds me of the movie "Unbreakable" maybe he is the one? Now we have to find the Glass Bones Guy.

as old as he is, you figure he could have set up a retirement and health care fund.

as old as he is, you figure he could have set up a retirement and health care fund.

he probabaly lost all his money to bombshells

he probabaly lost all his money to bombshells

that was 60 years ago. this guy is clearly being a mooch. NO AID.

that was 60 years ago. this guy is clearly being a mooch. NO AID.

no I mean certain blond ones that weigh about 16 pounds :p

no I mean certain blond ones that weigh about 16 pounds :p

Oh the normal Japanese businessman's expense. Case dismissed restore aid.

Obviously, the atomic bombings were aimed to take this particular guy out.
But he survived nevertheless!
Tsutomu Yamaguchi: 2, American Bomber Command: 0.

Also reminds me of this Transformers Animated vid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ_9pOYMwGo), 0:56-1:02.

As they say, third time's the charm.

Unlucky hell, he survived two nuclear bombings and has lived to 93. I'd say he needs a trip to Vegas.

Considering how many people died in the atomic bombings, I'd say he's likely the luckiest man in the world to have survived twice.

*nods*

.. not to mention that he's made it to the ripe old age of 93 (and counting?)!

Now, if LiveJournal was around in the 40s...

Unlucky hell, he survived two nuclear bombings and has lived to 93. I'd say he needs a trip to Vegas.

He was awarded Vegas in a lawsuit back in 63's against the US government.

Okay, this guy is DEFINETLY replacing Kenpachi Zaraki as the captain of the 11th Division when he dies. O_O

That made me howl in laughter.

That made me howl in laughter.

Gracias. :D

he'd have been luckier if it gave him superpowers rather than cancer, i think. but then again, he has made it to 93...
How do you know he didn't get superpowers from the first one?
He survived the 2nd, did he not? And he has made it to 93.

Gracias. :D

Do itashimashite.

How do you know he didn't get superpowers from the first one? He survived the 2nd, did he not? And he has made it to 93.

Proof that radiation is good for you. Score one for the 1950's.

Proof that radiation is good for you. Score one for the 1950's.
You just reminded of the bit in Family Guy where Adam West rolls about in toxic waste to gain superpowers.

But hell yeah! Let's bring back the 50's. DDT, lead paint, Asbestos, Thalidomide.
It must be good for you; they were happier back then and the economy was booming.

yes

Just wondering, does the US government pay any compensation to these bomb survivors? Or was the money it invested into the rebuilding of Japan considered enough?
Of course not. Victors don't pay, losers do.

That said of course, both the US and Japan continue to fund research into the effects of both bombings and part of that money does go to health care for the survivors.

If he survived two nukes then he aint had that bad of a run of luck. I'm prolly less lucky than he is.