Shigeko Sasamori, Hiroshima Survivor and Peace Advocate, Passes Away at 92

Shigeko Sasamori, remembered for her advocacy against nuclear warfare, dies at 92, after dedicating her life to warning future generations about the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons.

Shigeko Sasamori, a resilient advocate for peace and a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, passed away on December 15 at her home in Marina del Rey, California. She was 92 years old. Ms. Sasamori, who suffered severe injuries in the 1945 bombing at the young age of 13, spent her life speaking out against the horrors of nuclear war. Her commitment to peace resonated in her testimony to various audiences, including U.S. Senators and students, as she conveyed the necessity of preventing similar tragedies from occurring again.

Her advocacy was driven by a personal mission: "I have a mission to tell people that this should not happen again," she stated during a Senate subcommittee meeting focused on the impacts of nuclear warfare on health in 1980. Ms. Sasamori's resolute yet gentle voice conveyed her deep concern for future generations, as she urged the importance of understanding the consequences of such devastation.

Born in Hiroshima, Ms. Sasamori was among students tasked with clearing debris when the atomic bomb was dropped. As she witnessed the catastrophic event unfold, she recalled telling a classmate about the "white thing falling from that airplane." The trauma of that day shaped her life's work, which focused on educating others about the perils of nuclear warfare and advocating for disarmament.

Her death is notably marked by the recent awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization of atomic bomb survivors, underscoring a renewed commitment to the fight against nuclear weapons. The world mourns the loss of an influential voice that dedicated her life to promoting peace and inspiring others to heed the lessons of history.