Hiroshima being the first city ever to suffer atomic bombing. The non-profit organization PLAY SPACE aimed to utilize survivors' testimonies for peace education. However, survivors often experience trauma when recounting their stories causing further emotional distress. To solve this issue, PLAY SPACE developed a method to care for the survivors' traumas during interviews. This enabled the collection of new episodes previously untold in Hiroshima while caring the survivors' well-being.

In Hiroshima, there is a common misconception that “survivors must tell their stories”, for the sake of peace. As well as bomb survivor organizations having significant influence, and those outside the circle have few opportunities to share their stories, even if they desired to. This activation shed light on untold stories.

Seventy-nine years have passed since the Hiroshima bomb, and the survivors’ number is decreasing due to aging. PLAY SPACE, a peace education organization in Hiroshima is committed to collecting as many stories as possible to promote peace education. However, despite the survivor’s willingness to share their stories, they often experience trauma when recounting their stories. As a small non-profit organization in Hiroshima with limited resources, PLAY SPACE could not afford an extensive amount of budget. We sought a more direct and cost-effective solution to address the problem.

PLAY SPACE developed a handkerchief device and app that applies the knowledge of certified psychologists and therapists. The handkerchief device allows to acquire of vital data without frightening the elderly survivors. The vital data is then sent to the interviewer’s smartphone while the AI will analyze and provide optimal questions and care advice according to the emotional changes. This enabled untrained interviewers, such as students and family members, to gather stories while caring for the emotional wounds of the survivors with the knowledge of a therapist. The collected new episodes were edited into a book and utilized for peace education by the United Nations and elementary schools.

January 2023: Commencement of joint research with universities.

May 2023: Initiation of discussions with the survivors.

July 2023: Pre-launch of the system.

September 2023: System launch and commencement of interviews.

February 2024: Compilation of collected stories into a book, and distribution to UN.

This system consists of a handkerchief device and an AI-equipped smartphone app. By converting a handkerchief, which the elderly are accustomed to using into a device, vital data such as heart rate, skin temperature, and perspiration are acquired without causing anxiety to the elderly. The vital data will be sent to the interviewer’s smartphone where the AI analyzes the mental state of the elderly. The AI then provides optimal questions (such as questions to calm them when they are upset) or pauses the interview if the individual is in an overly tense state and encourages care to recover. Developed in collaboration with university psychologists and therapists, these systems incorporate advanced therapeutic techniques accessible to students and others who do not have the knowledge. Beyond the testing phase, these systems are currently in active operation.

・Interviewed more than 50 survivors and successfully collected untold stories.

・98% of the interviewees responded positively.

・Awareness of the trauma issues faced by survivors increased by 85%.

・More than 30 local companies supported the project.

・Media in Hiroshima has expressed interest in this initiative, considering an event for an exhibition of new stories in August 2024, marking the 80th year since the atomic bombing.