Organizers work to balance tone for Hiroshima A-bomb children’s exhibit

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima plans to create a new exhibit area for children in fiscal 2028, including a “selective viewing” area where they can choose not to look at images deemed too distressing to behold from the Aug. 6, 1945, atomic bombing in the city.

While such a decision was made to protect children from traumatic psychological stress, survivors of the atomic bombing say children should not be deprived of opportunities to learn about the realities of the bombing’s tragic aftermath during World War II.

The number of visitors to the museum topped 2.58 million in fiscal 2025, posting a record high for three years in a row.