Los Alamos Japan Project
Los Alamos Japan Project Updates
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It was a delight to reconnect with Mariko Komatsu, a
scholar visiting Los Alamos with colleagues from Hiroshima in the fall of 2019. We are excited to be discussing the possibility of future collaborations. The Green Legacy Hiroshima Initiative provided the Los Alamos Historical Society with ginkgo seeds from Hiroshima's atomic bomb survivor trees in 2017. These seeds have grown into saplings that are currently living in pots inside the Hans Bethe House. We look forward to including these symbols of hope into new landscaping next summer. |
Photo by Liz Martineau, November 7, 2019
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The History of the Los Alamos Japan Project
The Los Alamos Japan Project is an expansive, long-term project to develop dialogue with international museum colleagues and pursue understanding between Los Alamos, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki. Founded in 2016 by Museum Director Judith Stauber the Los Alamos Japan Project is building a bridge of understanding between Los Alamos History Museum, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
The global histories of the United States and Japan are inexorably linked, but the cultures reveal a separateness. In our respective museums, one story ends where another begins, yet there is not enough mutual understanding. Museums in Los Alamos communicate pride in scientific achievement and the development of the world’s first atomic weapons. Museums in Japan communicate the personal devastation wrought by those bombs. While Los Alamos and Japan share a history connected by world-changing events, cultural controversy still exists on a societal level.
The Los Alamos Japan Project is focused on creating understanding through shared history, partnerships, dialogue, multiple perspectives, and collaboration. The effort to understand viewpoints, norms, and values that differ from our own will benefit us with increased knowledge of people, places, and the world.
The global histories of the United States and Japan are inexorably linked, but the cultures reveal a separateness. In our respective museums, one story ends where another begins, yet there is not enough mutual understanding. Museums in Los Alamos communicate pride in scientific achievement and the development of the world’s first atomic weapons. Museums in Japan communicate the personal devastation wrought by those bombs. While Los Alamos and Japan share a history connected by world-changing events, cultural controversy still exists on a societal level.
The Los Alamos Japan Project is focused on creating understanding through shared history, partnerships, dialogue, multiple perspectives, and collaboration. The effort to understand viewpoints, norms, and values that differ from our own will benefit us with increased knowledge of people, places, and the world.
Project Partners
The Los Alamos/Japan Project is grateful for partnerships with individuals and organizations who have written letters of support, collaborated on community programs, and promoted events. We are grateful for their participation, and we continue to welcome new partnerships with those who value constructive dialogue.
Atomic Heritage Foundation, Ikuko and Davis Begay, Bradbury Science Museum, Allison Cobb, Clifton Truman Daniel, Iba Fakuda, Hiroshima Green Legacy,Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Los Alamos County, Los Alamos County Library System, Los Alamos Historical Society, Los Alamos History Museum, Yukiyo Kawano, Betsie Miller-Kusz, New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League, New Mexico Association of Museums, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Nikki Louis Nojima, Santa Fe Japanese Intercultural Network, Masaru Tanaka, United States Embassy in Tokyo, Victor Yamada
Atomic Heritage Foundation, Ikuko and Davis Begay, Bradbury Science Museum, Allison Cobb, Clifton Truman Daniel, Iba Fakuda, Hiroshima Green Legacy,Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Los Alamos County, Los Alamos County Library System, Los Alamos Historical Society, Los Alamos History Museum, Yukiyo Kawano, Betsie Miller-Kusz, New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League, New Mexico Association of Museums, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Nikki Louis Nojima, Santa Fe Japanese Intercultural Network, Masaru Tanaka, United States Embassy in Tokyo, Victor Yamada
Project Donors
Los Alamos Historical Society recognizes with sincere appreciation the founding donors of the Los Alamos/Japan Project. It is with their generosity that we have begun building a bridge of understanding between museums and communities in Los Alamos, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki.
Richard and Julia Moe Family Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
Rose Bethe, Nancy and John Bartlit, Bill Bradley, Kelly & John Benner, Fran Berting, Stacey Castille, Chris Chandler, Judy Crocker, Judy & Paul Cyre, Lee and Joe D'Anna, Karen Easton, Kandice and Jeff Favorite, Kathy & Dave Funk, Ann and Steve Greene, Ann Hayes and Pat Soran, Ryn and Hans Herrmann, Shay and Sam Kendricks, Chandra and George Marsden, Robin & Richard McLean, Heather and Bob McClenahan, Joyce Nickols, Nancy Partridge, Irene Powell, Stephanie Garcia Richard, Shelby & Antonio Redondo, Debbie & Rick Reiss, Kit & John Ruminer, Dane Spearing, Jenny and Jim Sprinkle, Judith Stauber, Carole and Tom Steward, Georgia & Gerry Strickfaden, Amy and Todd Urbatsch, Dava Vish, Sally and Ron Wilkins, Kyle and Mike Wheeler
Richard and Julia Moe Family Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
Rose Bethe, Nancy and John Bartlit, Bill Bradley, Kelly & John Benner, Fran Berting, Stacey Castille, Chris Chandler, Judy Crocker, Judy & Paul Cyre, Lee and Joe D'Anna, Karen Easton, Kandice and Jeff Favorite, Kathy & Dave Funk, Ann and Steve Greene, Ann Hayes and Pat Soran, Ryn and Hans Herrmann, Shay and Sam Kendricks, Chandra and George Marsden, Robin & Richard McLean, Heather and Bob McClenahan, Joyce Nickols, Nancy Partridge, Irene Powell, Stephanie Garcia Richard, Shelby & Antonio Redondo, Debbie & Rick Reiss, Kit & John Ruminer, Dane Spearing, Jenny and Jim Sprinkle, Judith Stauber, Carole and Tom Steward, Georgia & Gerry Strickfaden, Amy and Todd Urbatsch, Dava Vish, Sally and Ron Wilkins, Kyle and Mike Wheeler