Shigeko Sasamori, Icon of Peace Advocacy, Passes Away at 92

Shigeko Sasamori, who suffered severe injuries from the Hiroshima atomic bombing at the age of 13, passed away on December 15 at her home in California. Her son confirmed that she was 92 years old. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to sharing her experiences as a survivor of nuclear war, advocating for peace, and working as a nurse’s aide. She spoke with conviction to audiences worldwide, including students and members of the U.S. Senate, urging them to learn from history and avoid repeating the horrific events she endured.

Ms. Sasamori's activism took on renewed importance just months before her passing, coinciding with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, an organization of atomic bomb survivors aiming to eliminate nuclear weapons. On the fateful morning of August 6, 1945, she was among the students sent to clear debris in Hiroshima when she witnessed the ominous descent of a bomb-laden airplane. In her testimony to a Senate subcommittee in 1980, she lamented the suffering caused by nuclear warfare and expressed concern for future generations, resolutely stating, “I have a mission to tell people that this should not happen again.”

Through her compassionate activism, Sasamori’s voice continues to resonate, reminding us of the importance of peace and the dangers of nuclear weapons for both children today and in the future.