Hiroshima survivor Shigeaki Mori dies at 88

Tuesday 17 March 2026 - 13:45

Shigeaki Mori, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and a long-time advocate for historical memory, has died at the age of 88, according to local media reports.

Mori was widely known not only for surviving one of the most devastating events of the 20th century but also for his efforts to document the fate of American prisoners of war present in Hiroshima at the time of the explosion on August 6, 1945.

As a child, he experienced the full force of the blast when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city during World War II. The explosion caused massive destruction and loss of life, with tens of thousands killed instantly and many more dying later from injuries and radiation exposure.

Mori’s life story gained global attention in 2016 when he met Barack Obama during the American president’s historic visit to Hiroshima. The emotional embrace between the two men became a powerful symbol of reconciliation and remembrance.

Obama’s visit marked the first time a sitting U.S. president traveled to Hiroshima, where he paid tribute to the victims and called for a world free of nuclear weapons. Mori later described the moment as deeply moving, reflecting decades of pain, memory, and hope.

Throughout his life, Mori remained committed to sharing his experiences and preserving the stories of those affected by the bombing. His work contributed to a broader understanding of the human cost of nuclear warfare and the importance of peace.

The atomic bombing of Hiroshima is estimated to have caused around 140,000 deaths, including those who succumbed to radiation-related illnesses in the months and years that followed. Three days later, a second atomic bomb struck Nagasaki, further accelerating Japan’s surrender and the end of the war.

Mori’s passing marks the loss of a key witness to history, at a time when the voices of survivors are becoming increasingly rare.