Cultural fallout: the impact of the atomic bombings on Japanese arts


By AGENCY

Visitors at Tokyo’s Mori Arts Center Gallery explore an exhibition marking Godzilla’s 70th anniversary - a reminder of how Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s atomic legacy permeates Japanese pop culture, from fiery monster breath to haunting tales of radiation sickness. Photo: AFP

From Godzilla's fiery atomic breath to post-apocalyptic anime and harrowing depictions of radiation sickness, the influence of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki runs deep in Japanese popular culture.

In the 80 years since the World War II attacks, stories of destruction and mutation have been fused with fears around natural disasters and, more recently, the Fukushima crisis.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Japan , atomic bomb , arts , legacy , culture , film , books , identity

Next In Culture

Five Arts Centre’s new series gives voice to solo performances in theatre and dance
Look! Up on the screen! Superhero movies and TV shows to look forward to in 2026
US award honours works bridging science and literary imagination
In Milan, a rare chance to glimpse restoration of a long-hidden Leonardo gem
National Library unveils Immersive Learning Centre for heritage digitisation
Mattel and Alex Aster team up for Barbie young adult novel 'Barbie: Dreamscape'
Malaysian theatre legends stare down the wheels of time in 'God’s Waiting Room'
What to know as the Louvre's ticket price goes up by 45%
Malaysian illustrator’s artwork selected for Pinocchio exhibition in Italy
As world burns, Indian author Amitav Ghosh writes for the future

Others Also Read