The A-bomb
Press Code
Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration
after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the war finally
ended on August 15, 1945. In September, the occupation army, led
by U.S. Forces, began moving to stations across Japan to implement
the various occupation policies.
On September 10, the General Headquarters
(GHQ) issued a Memorandum on Freedom of Speech
and Press and began censorship of the Domei-Tsushin News
Agency, newspapers and media outlets. The Asahi Shimbun was closed
down for 48 hours on September 18 after carrying an article to the
effect that the use of atomic bombs and attacks on hospital ships
were in flagrant breach of international law. The Press Code was
then issued on September 19, and further regulation of speech and
the press was to follow. The Occupation Forces were particularly
nervous about news reporting relating to the damage caused by the
atomic bombings.
There was much greater freedom of speech
than in the pre-war period but the atomic bombings were regarded
as a highly sensitive issue. The press code had the purpose of preventing
any rise in anti-American sentiment and could be used to keep the
atomic secrets and atrocities out of the public eye.
Festivity for Praying for Peace
and Restoration of Hiroshima
On August 5, 1946, a Peace
Restoration Festival was held in Hiroshima to mark the
first anniversary of the atomic bombing. NHK-Hiroshima broadcast
a recording of the event. This was NHK's first program relating
to the atomic bombing. It is thought that the broadcast was delayed
until August 11 due to the censorship procedures.
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Live Broadcast of Hirosahima's
First Peace Festival in 1947
Shinzo Hamai, the mayor of Hiroshima who
became widely known as the A-bomb mayor, convened the first Peace
Festival on August 6, 1947, the second anniversary of the atomic
bombing. This was the beginning of the series of annual festivals
that continues today. The idea of declaring and transmitting the
thoughts for peace of the citizens of Hiroshima to the whole world
was suggested by Harushi Ishijima, the director-general of NHK-Hiroshima.
The people of Hiroshima believed that they were uniquely placed
to tell the world about the atomic bomb on the basis of what they
had experienced. The mayor of Hiroshima
read out a peace declaration at the ceremony, and messages were
also received from the prime minister, Tetsu Katayama, and the
Supreme Allied Commander, Gen. Douglas MacArthur. NHK-Hiroshima
broadcast the ceremony live. The 1948 ceremony was broadcast live
nationwide and transmitted simultaneously to the United States.
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