Shigeko Sasamori: A Lifelong Advocate for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament

Shigeko Sasamori, who lived through the devastation of Hiroshima at a young age, fought tirelessly against nuclear weapons. From her experiences, she became a powerful voice for peace, urging future generations to avoid the horrors she witnessed.

Shigeko Sasamori, a courageous advocate for peace and a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, passed away on December 15 at her home in Marina del Rey, California, at the age of 92. Severely injured at the tender age of 13, Sasamori turned her trauma into a lifelong mission to warn others about the dire consequences of nuclear warfare. Her son, Norman Cousins Sasamori, confirmed her death.

Sasamori's voice carried the weight of experience as she spoke passionately to diverse audiences, including students and U.S. Senate members. "I have a mission to tell people that this should not happen again," she stated during a Senate subcommittee meeting in 1980, where she detailed the suffering endured by those affected by nuclear war. Despite her pain, her message was marked by a profound absence of bitterness towards the United States.

Her passing coincided with the recent Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization of atomic bomb survivors working towards nuclear disarmament. On August 6, 1945, the day the bomb was dropped, Sasamori was among students tasked with clearing debris in Hiroshima. She recalled the moment she witnessed the bomb descending from the sky, forever etching that harrowing experience into her memory.

Throughout her life, Sasamori worked as a nurse’s aide, finding solace in helping others while advocating against the horrors of nuclear arms. Her commitment to peace and her unwavering message will continue to resonate with future generations as a stark reminder of the past and a hopeful call for a more secure world.