Takashi Hiraoka
Encyclopedia
was the mayor of Hiroshima
from 1991 to 1999.
to Tadao Hiraoka and Chitose Hiraoka (née Maeda). Initially, his parents had a delivery service in Osaka, but in 1934 the family business was hit by Typhoon Muroto, and the family moved to Unggi in Korea
(present day Sonbong
, North Korea
), where his maternal grandfather Setsuzo Maeda held several private businesses. Later, the family moved to Seoul
.
During the Second World War, he studied medicine at Keijo Imperial University
, but did not finish his studies. In summer 1945, worked as a volunteer for a chemical factory the Japanese Imperial Army had in Korea
, then an occupied territory under the Japanese Empire, and remained in that position until the Japanese surrender in August 1945. He was away from the city of Hiroshima, and thus was spared any injuries due to the atomic attack on his city. As Japanese rule over Korea was over, all Japanese staying in Korea were required to return to Japan, and the family returned to Hiroshima in September 1945.
After returning to Japan, he started studying science at the Hiroshima High School, his teacher being Prof. Tadayoshi Saika. In 1948, he graduated from that school, and then moved to Tokyo and studied German literature at Waseda University.
in 1952, and then joined the Chugoku Shimbun
where he later became a managing editor. Served as president of RCC Broadcasting Company
.
During the 1960s worked as a journalist, writing mostly about Korean hibakusha
, thus demanding from the Japanese government
grant them the right to medical care in Japan.
from the Japanese Socialist Party, suggested to Hiraoka to run for mayor. He declined at first, also for lack of funding, but was persuaded to run as Osamu Hashiguchi, Chairman of the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry, promised the required funding.
He was elected mayor of Hiroshima in February 1991.
Soon after bocoming a mayor, Hiraoka had to deal with his first crisis, when on March 14, 1991, a bridge collapsed in Asaminami-ku
, killing 15 people. Relatives of the dead filed a lawsuit against the Hiroshima municipality for compensations, but Mayor Hiraoka contended the city was not to blame. The lawsuit was eventually dropped in 1998.
As mayor, Hiraoka worked to further cooperation between Hiroshima and cities in South Korea
, thus leading to the Hiroshima-Daegu
sister city agreement in 1997.
The 1994 Asian Games
were held in Hiroshima and hosted by Hiraoka as Mayor.
His anti-nuclear activities led him to appear in 1995 as representative of the Japanese government in the International Court of Justice hearing on the legality of nuclear weapons.
In late 1998, Hiraoka announced he will not run for third term as mayor, citing low voter participation in the 1995 mayoral election as an obstacle to any mayor wishing to have the people's approval. He did not run in the 1999 mayoral election, and retired after eight years of serving as Mayor of Hiroshima.
criticizing the custom of some Japanese politicians of honoring the memory of Japanese war criminals from the time of the Second World War. In December 2007 participated in a meeting with the mayor of Waitakere
to express protest over the whaling
policy of the Japanese government. Also tried to convince both the US and the Japanese governments to allocate the funds required for the planned relocation of Radiation Effects Research Foundation
facilities in Hiroshima.
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
from 1991 to 1999.
Early life
Was born in OsakaOsaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
to Tadao Hiraoka and Chitose Hiraoka (née Maeda). Initially, his parents had a delivery service in Osaka, but in 1934 the family business was hit by Typhoon Muroto, and the family moved to Unggi in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
(present day Sonbong
Sonbong
Sonbong, formerly called Unggi , is a subdivision of the North Korean city of Rason. It is located at the northeastern extreme of North Korea, bordering Russia and China. It lies on Unggi Bay, an extension of the Sea of Japan . A uranium mine is allegedly located there, as is a 200 megawatt...
, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
), where his maternal grandfather Setsuzo Maeda held several private businesses. Later, the family moved to Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
During the Second World War, he studied medicine at Keijo Imperial University
Keijo Imperial University
was a Japanese Imperial University that existed in Seoul between 1924 and the end of World War II.-History:...
, but did not finish his studies. In summer 1945, worked as a volunteer for a chemical factory the Japanese Imperial Army had in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, then an occupied territory under the Japanese Empire, and remained in that position until the Japanese surrender in August 1945. He was away from the city of Hiroshima, and thus was spared any injuries due to the atomic attack on his city. As Japanese rule over Korea was over, all Japanese staying in Korea were required to return to Japan, and the family returned to Hiroshima in September 1945.
After returning to Japan, he started studying science at the Hiroshima High School, his teacher being Prof. Tadayoshi Saika. In 1948, he graduated from that school, and then moved to Tokyo and studied German literature at Waseda University.
Journalistic work
Takashi Hiraoka graduated from Waseda UniversityWaseda University
, abbreviated as , is one of the most prestigious private universities in Japan and Asia. Its main campuses are located in the northern part of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 1882 as Tokyo Senmon Gakko, the institution was renamed "Waseda University" in 1902. It is known for its liberal climate...
in 1952, and then joined the Chugoku Shimbun
Chugoku Shimbun
The is a Japanese local daily newspaper based in Hiroshima. It serves the Chūgoku region of Japan with a market share in Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Shimane, Okayama and Tottori Prefectures. The newspaper publishes morning paper and evening editions. The morning paper has a daily circulation of 646,908...
where he later became a managing editor. Served as president of RCC Broadcasting Company
RCC Broadcasting Company
RCC Broadcasting Company is a Japanese broadcaster which serves the Hiroshima region.- TV :*Analog** Hiroshima JOER-TV 4CH** Onomichi JOEE-TV 10CH** Fukuyama 7CH** Miyoshi, Kure, Higashihiroshima-Saijo 9CH...
.
During the 1960s worked as a journalist, writing mostly about Korean hibakusha
Hibakusha
The surviving victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are called , a Japanese word that literally translates to "explosion-affected people"...
, thus demanding from the Japanese government
Government of Japan
The government of Japan is a constitutional monarchy where the power of the Emperor is very limited. As a ceremonial figurehead, he is defined by the 1947 constitution as "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Power is held chiefly by the Prime Minister of Japan and other elected...
grant them the right to medical care in Japan.
Term as Mayor of Hiroshima
In March 1990, as mayoral elections was underway, Manzo Hamamoto, a member of the Upper House of the DietDiet of Japan
The is Japan's bicameral legislature. It is composed of a lower house, called the House of Representatives, and an upper house, called the House of Councillors. Both houses of the Diet are directly elected under a parallel voting system. In addition to passing laws, the Diet is formally...
from the Japanese Socialist Party, suggested to Hiraoka to run for mayor. He declined at first, also for lack of funding, but was persuaded to run as Osamu Hashiguchi, Chairman of the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry, promised the required funding.
He was elected mayor of Hiroshima in February 1991.
Soon after bocoming a mayor, Hiraoka had to deal with his first crisis, when on March 14, 1991, a bridge collapsed in Asaminami-ku
Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima
is one of the eight wards of the city of Hiroshima, located in the south of the former district of Asa.Asa-gun consisted of Gion-cho, Yasufuruichi-cho, Sato-cho, Numata-cho. After being merged with Hiroshima in 1973, this ward was named Asaminami-ku....
, killing 15 people. Relatives of the dead filed a lawsuit against the Hiroshima municipality for compensations, but Mayor Hiraoka contended the city was not to blame. The lawsuit was eventually dropped in 1998.
As mayor, Hiraoka worked to further cooperation between Hiroshima and cities in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, thus leading to the Hiroshima-Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
sister city agreement in 1997.
The 1994 Asian Games
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
were held in Hiroshima and hosted by Hiraoka as Mayor.
His anti-nuclear activities led him to appear in 1995 as representative of the Japanese government in the International Court of Justice hearing on the legality of nuclear weapons.
In late 1998, Hiraoka announced he will not run for third term as mayor, citing low voter participation in the 1995 mayoral election as an obstacle to any mayor wishing to have the people's approval. He did not run in the 1999 mayoral election, and retired after eight years of serving as Mayor of Hiroshima.
Post mayoral activities
Following retirement in 1999, he remained active for peace. In July 2005, he published an article in the Asahi ShimbunAsahi Shimbun
The is the second most circulated out of the five national newspapers in Japan. Its circulation, which was 7.96 million for its morning edition and 3.1 million for its evening edition as of June 2010, was second behind that of Yomiuri Shimbun...
criticizing the custom of some Japanese politicians of honoring the memory of Japanese war criminals from the time of the Second World War. In December 2007 participated in a meeting with the mayor of Waitakere
Waitakere
Waitakere City was the name of a city which existed from 1989 until 2010 in the Auckland region. It was New Zealand's fifth largest city, with an annual growth of about 2%...
to express protest over the whaling
Whaling
Whaling is the hunting of whales mainly for meat and oil. Its earliest forms date to at least 3000 BC. Various coastal communities have long histories of sustenance whaling and harvesting beached whales...
policy of the Japanese government. Also tried to convince both the US and the Japanese governments to allocate the funds required for the planned relocation of Radiation Effects Research Foundation
Radiation Effects Research Foundation
The Radiation Effects Research Foundation is the successor of the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission. It was established 1 April 1975.It is a binational organization run by both the United States and Japan. Chairman is Toshiteru Okubo. The RERF Hiroshima Laboratory is situated in the Hijiyama Park,...
facilities in Hiroshima.
Writings
- Prejudice and Discrimination (Japanese)
- Neglected Strait (Japanese)
- Hiroshima, with Hope for Peace (Japanese)
External links
- Interviews with Takashi Hiraoka http://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/mediacenter/article.php?story=20090930144049712_en http://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/mediacenter/article.php?story=20090930145048754_en
- Statement by Hiraoka to the International Court of Justice http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/shimin/heiwa/deposition-E.html