Japanese anti-nuclear activist (1932–2024) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shigeko Sasamori (笹森恵子; née Niimoto; June 16, 1932 – December 15, 2024) was a Japanese peace and anti-nuclear activist. She was a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and an advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament. After receiving reconstructive surgeries in the United States, she pursued a career as a nurse's aide and shared her experiences to educate others about the consequences of nuclear warfare.
Shigeko Sasamori | |
|---|---|
笹森恵子 | |
Sasamori c. 1944 | |
| Born | Shigeko Niimoto June 16, 1932 |
| Died | December 15, 2024 (aged 92) |
| Occupation | Nurse's aide |
| Known for | Survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing and peace advocacy |
| Children | 1 |
Sasamori was born on June 16, 1932, in Hiroshima, Japan, to Masayuki Niimoto, an oyster fisherman, and Sato Tanabe Niimoto, a homemaker.[1] On August 6, 1945, at the age of 13, she survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima while working to clear debris from the city's streets.[1][2] She was approximately two miles from the bomb's hypocenter and suffered severe burns on over a quarter of her body, including her face, chest, arms, and hands.[1][2] Her parents found her several days later and cared for her injuries at home using makeshift treatments.[1]
In 1955, she was selected as one of 25 young women, later known as the "Hiroshima Maidens," to travel to the United States for reconstructive surgeries arranged by Norman Cousins, a journalist and peace activist.[1][2][3] She underwent multiple operations at Mount Sinai Hospital, which improved her appearance and functionality, though her scars remained visible.[1] During her time in the United States, she lived primarily with the family of Norman Cousins in Connecticut.[1]
After her reconstructive surgeries, Sasamori returned briefly to Japan but later relocated to the United States.[1] She continued her education and trained as a nurse's aide in the late 1960s. During her nursing career, she cared for patients, including newborns and individuals with debilitating conditions such as Parkinson's disease.[1]
Sasamori shared her experiences as a survivor of the atomic bombing and advocating for nuclear disarmament. She addressed audiences in schools, international organizations, and legislative settings, including a U.S. Senate subcommittee in 1980, where she described the health impacts of nuclear war.[1] She participated in documentaries, such as Race to Oblivion (1982) and White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (2007), to further awareness about the consequences of nuclear warfare.[1]
She was also involved with Hibakusha Stories, a program aimed at educating young people about the effects of nuclear weapons through first-hand survivor testimonies.[1]
Sasamori was spiritually adopted by the Cousins family during her time in the United States, an arrangement described as a "moral adoption."[1] In 1962, she gave birth to her son, whom she named Norman Cousins Sasamori, honoring her connection with the Cousins family.[1]
Sasamori spent her later years in Marina del Rey, California, and remained active in peace advocacy until her death there on December 15, 2024, at the age of 92.[1] Her death came shortly after the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivors.[1]
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