Your current location:HOME >business >VOX POPULI: Radiation lingers even 70 years after H 正文
TIME:2024-05-07 14:55:25 Source: Internet compilationEdit:business
How did the word “bikini” come to denote a two-piece swimsuit?On July 1, 1946, almost one year after
How did the word “bikini” come to denote a two-piece swimsuit?
On July 1, 1946, almost one year after Japan’s defeat in World War II, the United States started conducting nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Four days later, a swimsuit contest was held in Paris, introducing the latest designs that couldn’t get any skimpier.
A French fashion designer, whose attention at the time was focused on the news from the Pacific, decided to call his new creation the bikini because he keenly sensed “how fascinated people around the world were (by the U.S. nuclear testing),” according to “The Untold History of the United States,” co-authored by film director Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick.
The designer’s lack of sensitivity appalls me.
Back then, however, Europeans and Americans held positive images of nuclear bombs, such as about their novelty and strength.
A U.S. newspaper ran a photo of a cake shaped like a mushroom cloud. And there were snacks and sweets that bore nuclear-related names.
Nuclear tests continued in the Marshall Islands.
On March 1, 1954--exactly 70 years ago--the Castle Bravo hydrogen bomb was detonated.
The flippancy of the bomb’s name greatly offends me.
Many islanders suffered from the nuclear fallout. In fact, radiation damage has lingered to this day.
This reminds me anew that Japan is not the only country that has experienced nuclear damage.
How horrific nuclear bombs are. To also share our thoughts toward abolition of nuclear weapons widely throughout the world, we must not forget the tragic history that occurred on the distant Pacific islands.
The Daigo Fukuryu Maru (Lucky Dragon No. 5), the Japanese tuna boat that was exposed to nuclear fallout from the Castle Bravo test, is still on display on Yumenoshima (literally, dream island), an artificial island built in Tokyo Bay.
And posted around the vessel’s white hull are 12 photographs of stern-eyed “global hibakusha.”
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 1
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Anaheim Ducks goaltending coach Sudarshan Maharaj declared cancer2024-05-07 14:47
Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo to become general director of Opera Philadelphia2024-05-07 14:39
Federal judge temporarily blocks confusing Montana voter registration law2024-05-07 14:21
Jon Bon Jovi, 62, admits 'EVERY day is a challenge' in his 352024-05-07 14:17
Coach Amorim vows to stay with Sporting Lisbon after winning another Portuguese league2024-05-07 14:02
Amy Childs puts on a busty display in a plunging black dress as she joins glamorous TOWIE co2024-05-07 13:48
BNSF becomes 2nd major railroad to sign on to anonymous federal safety hotline for some workers2024-05-07 13:03
Channel 4 'spark axe fears as they halt production on a fan2024-05-07 12:45
Skye Wheatley hosts reunion with her I'm A Celebrity co2024-05-07 12:23
Kansas man sentenced to 10 years for crash that killed officer, pedestrian and K2024-05-07 12:23
Tampa Bay Rays reinstate outfielder Josh Lowe from the 102024-05-07 14:39
Honda planning to expand its electric vehicle efforts in Canada, Toyota expands in Indiana2024-05-07 14:34
Amendments to Missouri Constitution are on the line amid GOP infighting2024-05-07 14:34
US to pull troops from Chad and Niger as the African nations question its counterterrorism role2024-05-07 14:00
Man dragged by bear following fatal car crash, Massachusetts state police say2024-05-07 13:53
ACC Spring Wrap: League champ Florida State and ACC deal with quarterback changes2024-05-07 13:17
Wrexham schedules 3 games in US and Canada in July2024-05-07 13:15
Experts warn about Venezuela's broken HPV vaccine promises2024-05-07 12:52
Nonprofit Chicago production house Invisible Institute wins 2 Pulitzer Prizes2024-05-07 12:35
South Carolina championship2024-05-07 12:29