Minecraft workshops build understanding of cityscapes before atomic bombings
University of Tokyo graduate student Misaki Katayama, 27, who researches peace education, has been holding the two-day workshops in Hiroshima and Nagasaki since 2023.
Graduate student Misaki Katayama, a 27-year-old researcher in peace education, has been conducting two-day workshops in Hiroshima and Nagasaki since 2023. The workshops aim to help young students understand the cityscapes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki before the August 1945 U.S. atomic bombings.
The students, aged between four to six years old, recreate the affected cityscapes using Minecraft, a popular computer game that enables players to construct virtual structures and communities. The participants use historical maps, photographs, and video footage from the pre-bombing era to guide their creations.
By immersing themselves in the virtual recreations, the young students can better grasp the significant loss suffered by the two Japanese cities during World War II. The workshops are part of Katayama's efforts to promote peace education among the younger generation.
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