In 2005, the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings, NHK has gathered representative works from this collection for public viewing and listening in the Peace Archives project. Besides being made available at the Program Library, they are also, for example, being distributed to foreign broadcasting stations and broadcast both domestically and internationally.

    Here we describe the broadcasting history of NHK's productions related to the atomic bombings and peace issues and outlines programs that can be viewed and heard at the Program Library. We shall be delighted if this can serve as a useful guide for those who access the Peace Archives programs from the Program Library terminals set up nationwide, and also as an introductory text for learning how peace-related issues have been addressed.

    The programs of the Peace Archives were made with the cooperation of many victims of the bombings and others involved in these issues and would not have been possible without the very special testimonies provided by the victims themselves. Special thanks are due, on this occasion of the public viewing and re-broadcasting of these programs, to all participants in the programs, the families of those who suffered and all who have contributed to these productions.

Yoshinori Sekimoto
Director-General
Multimedia Development Department
Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)