HIROSHIMA: The delayed release of the film “Oppenheimer” in Japan has stirred both anticipation and reflection among survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Eighty-six-year-old Teruko Yahata, who experienced the devastation firsthand, eagerly awaits the screening, hoping it will reignite dialogue on nuclear disarmament.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer” portrays the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist behind the development of the atomic bomb. Despite its global success, the film faced criticism for its initial exclusion of Japan from its release plans and a controversial marketing campaign linking it to “Barbie.”
For Japan, the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings, the film holds particular significance. As the country continues to advocate for nuclear abolition, the movie’s portrayal of Oppenheimer’s role in creating the bomb prompts reflection on the human cost and moral implications of nuclear warfare.
Yahata, a hibakusha, recounts her traumatic experience of witnessing the bomb’s detonation as a child. Despite her personal anguish, she acknowledges the weight of Oppenheimer’s burden and the complexities surrounding the decision to use atomic weapons.
With the resurgence of nuclear tensions amid global conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Japan’s commitment to nuclear disarmament remains steadfast. As “Oppenheimer” makes its debut in Japan, it serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to preserve peace and prevent the horrors of nuclear war from being repeated.
