Korean Nuclear Diaspora : Redress Movements of Korean Atomic-Bomb Victims in Japan

This book traces the long struggle of Korean survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings to secure recognition and compensation.

After Japan’s defeat and Korea’s liberation, the survivors of the nuclear bombings were dispersed across Japan, South Korea, and North Korea, where many remained marginalized and largely excluded from official relief efforts. Focusing on those in Japan, Yuko Takahashi draws on extensive fieldwork, archival research, and interviews to examine how survivors and activists mobilized for redress despite formidable political barriers.
Organized thematically and historically, the chapters trace the prewar history of Koreans in Japan, the formation of a “nuclear diaspora” across divided national contexts, and the development of cross-border support networks. Takahashi also explores the complexities of activism shaped by ideological divisions – between North and South Korea, within the Korean community in Japan, and in relation to Japanese society – alongside conflicts over memorialization and public recognition. At the same time, the book highlights moments of solidarity, including cooperation between Korean and Japanese citizens and a shared aspiration for national reconciliation that sustained the movement.
Ultimately, this book challenges dominant narratives of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by foregrounding marginalized voices, showing that the pursuit of redress is not only about compensation, but about reclaiming history by confronting the legacies of war, colonialism, and political division.