Shigemi Fukahori, a survivor of the 1945 Nagasaki atomic bombing and a lifelong advocate for peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons, has passed away at the age of 93.
About Shigemi Fukahori
- Fukahori was just 14 years old when the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, an event that killed tens of thousands of people, including his own family.
- The attack came three days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 140,000 people and ultimately led to Japan’s surrender, marking the end of World War II.
- Fukahori worked at a shipyard approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the bomb’s epicenter. For many years, he found it too painful and overwhelming to speak of his experiences, both due to the traumatic memories and a deep sense of helplessness. However, in later years, he became a prominent voice in the global movement against nuclear weapons, dedicating his life to sharing his story and advocating for peace.
Hiroshima bombing
- The Hiroshima bombing, codenamed Operation Centerboard I, occurred on August 6, 1945, when a uranium gun-type bomb known as “Little Boy” was dropped.
- It exploded with a force of approximately 13 kilotons, killing an estimated 90,000 to 166,000 people within four months.
Nagasaki bombing
- Three days later, on August 9, the United States dropped a 21-kiloton plutonium bomb called “Fat Man” on Nagasaki.
- The immediate death toll from the Nagasaki explosion ranged between 40,000 and 75,000, with total deaths by the end of 1945 reaching around 80,000, and tens of thousands more suffering long-term injuries.
