Nagasaki, Japan – Shigemi Fukahori, a survivor of the 1945 Nagasaki atomic bombing and a dedicated advocate for peace, has passed away at the age of 93. He died January 3rd at a Nagasaki hospital.
Fukahori, who was 14 when the bomb detonated, devoted his later life to sharing his experiences and promoting nuclear disarmament. His advocacy work extended beyond personal testimony, inspiring a generation.
The Urakami Catholic Church, near the Nagasaki Peace Park and within a short distance of ground zero, served as a central point for Fukahori’s peace activism. The church, surprisingly, survived the bombing.
He found solace and shared a deep understanding of suffering with another individual who had survived a devastating bombing during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. This connection proved pivotal in helping Fukahori share his story publicly.
His powerful testimony, shared with NHK in 2019, vividly depicted the horrific impact of the bombing. "On the day the bomb dropped, I heard a voice asking for help. When I walked over and held out my hand, the person's skin melted. I still remember how that felt," he stated.
Fukahori’s advocacy extended to engaging with young people. He instilled in them the importance of perpetuating the pursuit of peace. This is evident in his dedication to handing Pope Francis a wreath of white flowers during the Pontiff's visit to Nagasaki in 2019.
In the final years of his life, Fukahori remained a steadfast advocate for a world free of nuclear weapons. His commitment is reflected in his public pledge, made the following year: "I am determined to send our message to make Nagasaki the final place where an atomic bomb is ever dropped."
A wake and funeral service are scheduled for Sunday and Monday at the Urakami Church, with his daughter representing the family.
