noun
person exposed to radiation from a nuclear bomb
General term for anyone exposed to radiation from a nuclear explosion, not limited to Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
核実験による被爆者の健康調査が行われた。
A health survey was conducted on people exposed to radiation from nuclear tests.
noun
atomic bomb survivor; hibakusha
Specifically refers to survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Often used in historical, humanitarian, and peace contexts.
広島の被爆者の体験談を聞いた。
I listened to the firsthand account of a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor.
被爆者支援のための募金活動が行われている。
Fundraising activities are being held to support hibakusha.
被爆 refers to being bombed or suffering from a bombing; 被爆者 is a person affected by a nuclear bombing.
Compound of 被 (hi, 'suffer, be subjected to') + 爆 (baku, 'bomb, explosion') + 者 (sha, 'person').