A delegation of Japanese hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) and several others affected by the more recent events at Fukushima from the World Friendship Center will visit the Bainbridge Japanese American Exclusion Memorial at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.

The group consists of

16 members, including hibakusha, actual survivors of the only two nuclear attacks in the history of the world, and several children of survivors as well as translators and individuals remembering the reconstruction of the cities and discussing the long-reaching effects of radiation exposure.

The visit is one stop on a larger visit, part of a Peace Ambassador Exchange program, to the country including visits to Portland, Seattle and New Mexico.

The visit is organized in large part by Kathryn Keve of West Coast Peace Pagoda initiative and “For the First 20!”, a nonprofit community organization founded in 2010 to promote programs that support youth, families and communities by strengthening relationships between adults and youth and within families.

“One thing I’ve learned recently is that a lot of people in Japan don’t have a clue about the internment here,” Keve said. “And a lot of people here don’t really know much about Fukushima and Hiroshima. The whole idea is to exchange ideas and for them to come to America and talk about the reality of Hiroshima.”

Various presentations will be made by members of the delegation.

“They will have opportunities to talk to people about the radiation and how it affected them personally,” Keve said.

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial is located on the site of the former Eagledale ferry dock at Pritchard Park, 4192 Eagle Harbor Drive.

For more information about the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community visit www.bijac.org/index.php?p=WELCOME.

To learn more about the World Friendship Center, visit www.homepage2.nifty.com/wfchiroshima