Preservation of the Atomic Bomb Dome

After the war,  the people of Hiroshima began calling the ruins of what had been the Industrial Promotion Hall the Genbaku Dome (lit. Atomic Bomb Dome) because of the skeletal dome at the top. At the time, there were two distinct attitudes toward the Atomic Bomb Dome, sparking discussions about what to do with the relic: some felt it should be preserved as a memorial, and others advocated for it to be torn down, calling it a dangerously dilapidated structure that evoked painful memories.

As the city center recovered and other atomic-bombed buildings vanished from view, the preserve-or-destroy controversy intensified, complicated by varying opinions about the meaning of the atomic bombing itself, how to convey the tragic atomic bomb experiences of survivors and family members, and the situation of nuclear weapons in the world.

The Atomic Bomb Dome was donated by Hiroshima Prefecture to Hiroshima City in 1953, left almost exactly as it was after the bombing. Over time, however, the structure deteriorated, with plants and cracks growing in its walls. Minor structural collapses and falling bricks had made the vicinity dangerous. A fence was built around it in 1962, and entrance was prohibited.

Amid the rising calls for preservation, the Architecture Department in the Engineering School of Hiroshima University began a strength level survey in July 1965, and by July 1966, the Hiroshima City Council had adopted a resolution to preserve the Atomic Bomb Dome. This resolution led to a fundraising campaign by the City of Hiroshima to finance the preservation work, and donation money totaling to 66,197,816 yen came in from both within Japan and abroad. The first preservation construction project took place in 1967.

The Resolution to Preserve the Atomic Bomb Dome

The following resolution was made on July 11, 1966 by Hiroshima City Council:

Last year, the City of Hiroshima completed a one-million-yen survey on preservation methods for the Atomic Bomb Dome. It has been determined that with reinforcement, the Dome will withstand preservation, and this result was announced to the City Council.

Along with the demand to stop nuclear war and ban all hydrogen and atomic bombs, preservation of the Dome is the sincere wish of the atomic bomb survivors, all citizens, and people all around Japan who pray for peace. Preserving the Dome in its entirety and passing it along to future generations is one of our duties to the more than 200,000 souls who perished in the atomic bombing, and to people all over the world who pray for peace.

Therefore, we hereby pass the resolution to take all the necessary measures to preserve the Dome.

More information

• Fundraising campaign for the preservation of the Atomic Bomb Dome
• Preservation projects