[Japanese Side] "Healing Atomic Bomb Wounds Through Baseball" 93-Year-Old Fan Supporting a Baseball Team for 73 Years

Mr. Niwao Nakanishi Conveying the Horrors of the Atomic Bombing
Pitching to Express Hope for Nuclear Disarmament Ahead of G7

Recently, the Group of Seven (G7) summit was held in Hiroshima, Japan. Since it was the only G7 meeting held in a city that suffered an atomic bombing, and because Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is from this area, there were high expectations for a peace declaration related to nuclear disarmament.

Before this G7 summit, a story about a devoted grandfather who has supported the Hiroshima baseball team, the Toyo Carp, for 73 years became a hot topic in Japan. This grandfather was a victim of the atomic bombing and has lived as an anti-war activist advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Despite undergoing cancer treatment due to aftereffects of the bombing, he found great comfort in baseball. After 73 years as a fan, he was given the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch to wish for peace, drawing much attention. Today, we share the story of 93-year-old Niwao Nakanishi, born in 1930.

Mr. Niwao Nakanishi. (Photo by NHK)

NHK reported on August 8th about Mr. Nakanishi, who threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Hiroshima stadium. True to a baseball fan, he entered wearing the Carp uniform he loves. The broadcast echoed through the stadium, saying, "This is Niwao Nakanishi’s ceremonial first pitch, who works to raise awareness about the horrors of war and the importance of peace."

When he was in the third year of middle school, during World War II, Nakanishi was forcibly drafted to a factory in Hiroshima that produced military uniforms and boots. On the morning of August 6, 1945, he was waiting for a truck to arrive to move cloth about 400 meters from the factory to the atomic bomb drop site. The truck was scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m., but it was delayed.

At 8:15 a.m., the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. He was thrown into the air and lost consciousness. When he came to, he found himself lying face down. Thanks to a nearby fence, he was miraculously shielded from the bomb’s heat rays and survived.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although he survived, he witnessed many victims dying. He testified that many people clung to him, begging, "Help me, save me," but he could do nothing.

Five years after Japan’s defeat due to the atomic bombings, in 1950, the Hiroshima baseball team Toyo Carp was established. For those who wanted to forget the pain of the bombing, the Toyo Carp provided much comfort. When the team faced financial difficulties due to the loss of corporate sponsorship, citizens raised funds to save the team.

Despite suffering from cancer in four parts of his body, Mr. Nakanishi says the reason he has been able to continue his role as a hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) testimony activist is thanks to this baseball team. After turning 70, he dreamed of becoming a ceremonial first pitch thrower for the Toyo Carp, which had supported him. A middle school classmate conveyed this story to the team, and 78 years after the atomic bombing, he was given the opportunity to throw the first pitch.

Mr. Niwao Nakanishi, wearing a Toyo Carp uniform, throwing the first pitch. (Photo by NHK)

On his way back from practicing the pitch, he fell and fractured his left hand, but he continued practicing with his right hand, saying, "I want to convey my feelings as a hibakusha. I hope the world receives the message to eradicate nuclear weapons."

After successfully throwing the first pitch, Mr. Nakanishi said, "I never thought a day like this would come. I am grateful to have lived so long and to be able to do this. I hope my thoughts on nuclear disarmament reach people."

I have also visited Hiroshima on August 6, the day of the atomic bombing. Most of the activists I met were holding flags or wearing hats in the red color symbolizing this baseball team, showing their special love for the sport. It made me reflect once again on how much comfort this sport has provided to those who experienced the devastation.