Being able to work on this project was such an honor and it is an opportunity that I will never forget. I was not only able to work on my language skills, but I was also able to contribute to a very special and important project. The strength and bravery that each of the survivors had while telling their stories was truly inspiring and I hope that TSS will be able to continue working with Tojo Sensei on these projects in the future. This project had a huge effect on the way I think about and view nuclear war, and I think that translating the stories so that everyone is able to access them is extremely important. The testimonies of the atomic bomb survivors are proof of the damage that nuclear weapons cause, both physical and emotional, and by translating the survivors stories we can keep their memories and their lessons alive.

I am deeply honored to have worked on this translation project. Hearing the messages from Ms. Kiriake and Mr. Razak truly opened my eyes to a new perspective on the war and the events that took place in Hiroshima during World War II. Prior to this project, most of what I knew about the war came from an American point of view. Hearing the personal stories of people whose lives were forever changed by a conflict they had no part in profoundly shaped the way I understand war. I hope to carry the messages I’ve learned and share them with as many people as possible, so that we may continue to pass the torch of peace.

Before this translation project I knew little to nothing about the history of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What was once just numbers in a history book, transformed into real people with real lives. Working on the translation project taught me how important it is to spread awareness about the dangers of war. The bombing wasn’t just something that happened in the past, it drastically changed people’s lives and still affects people today. It’s so important to share the stories of survivors, so the past isn’t forgotten or repeated. It also gave me such a huge sense of respect for Keiko, and all the other victims of the atomic bomb. How hard it must have been to go through that especially being so young. This translation project made me believe in a future without atomic warfare, and gave such a valuable insight into how we can work towards peace.

It was such an honor to work on this project alongside everyone. I had a wonderful experience going over the testimonies and translating them for English audiences using my knowledge of the Japanese language. Before having worked on this, I did not know much about the Hiroshima bombing, other than it was what ended World War II. Now, I have a greater understanding of the atomic bomb's impact on both Hiroshima and its citizens, showcasing the horrific nature of nuclear weaponry. I believe most people often focus on the bomb itself and its destructive power, forgetting to consider those who lived in Hiroshima and what they endured, which is why it is especially important to have these testimonies so we may hear from those who speak up and tell their stories, and ensure we may never repeat this historical event.