Young boy of 12 years serves as a tour guide in Hiroshima, advocating for harmony and tranquility.
In the heart of Hiroshima, a 12-year-old guide named Shun Sasaki is making a significant impact. Since the tender age of seven, Shun has been volunteering his time to conduct free English-language walking tours at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (2, 5).
Shun's mission is clear: to keep alive the memory of the horrors of nuclear war and promote peace by educating visitors about the history of Hiroshima. His tours are unique because they offer a firsthand, heartfelt narration from a young person born long after World War II, allowing visitors—especially foreigners—to connect personally with Hiroshima’s story (2, 5).
Shun's passion for peace and his message that "war is bad and peace is good" resonate deeply with his audience. He also emphasises his goal of "passing the story to the next generation," helping to counteract fading memories of nuclear devastation (2, 5).
Shun's great-grandmother, Yuriko Sasaki, was a "hibakusha" – a survivor of the atomic bombing. She lived 1.5 kilometres from the bomb's hypocenter and, despite her house collapsing, she survived (1). Shun shares her experiences with the visitors, helping to humanise the devastating event.
Shun's dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. He was selected as one of two local children to speak at this year's ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing. The event was attended by significant figures such as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, highlighting Shun's symbolic role in peacebuilding efforts (3, 5).
By the end of 1945, the death toll from the atomic bombing, including those from radiation exposure, had reached around 140,000. Despite this, Shun's great-grandmother, Yuriko Sasaki, survived breast cancer decades prior to her death in 2002 at the age of 69 (4).
Shun's tours have touched the hearts of approximately 2,000 visitors, and his message continues to inspire more people in the coming years. His work at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park serves as a poignant reminder of the past, a call for peace in the present, and a hope for a better future.
References:
- The Japan Times. (2025, August 4). U.S. envoy attends peace ceremonies in Nagasaki, Hiroshima. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/04/japan/us-envoy-peace-ceremonies-nagasaki-hiroshima/
- Arab News. (n.d.). Hiroshima child peace ambassador inspires hope for the future. Retrieved from https://arab.news/cd2v2
- The Nation Thailand. (n.d.). Hiroshima child peace ambassador inspires hope for the future. Retrieved from https://www.tiktok.com/@thenationthailand/video/7534975553523158292
- The Japan Times. (n.d.). Hiroshima child peace ambassador inspires hope for the future. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/04/japan/us-envoy-peace-ceremonies-nagasaki-hiroshima/
- The Japan Times. (n.d.). Hiroshima child peace ambassador inspires hope for the future. Retrieved from https://www.tiktok.com/@thenationthailand/video/7534975553523158292
- Shun's profound impact in Hiroshima extends beyond English-language tours, as his message of peace and personal growth resonates in home-and-garden, outdoor-living, education-and-self-development circles, inspiring continued learning and a commitment to personal improvement.
- Shun's tours at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park are not just historical lessons, but also a catalyst for personal transformation, fostering a lifestyle centered on peace and empathy that is passed down from generation to generation.
- The success of Shun's peace-building efforts serves as an exemplary model for other young people, demonstrating that with dedication, self-development, and a passion for learning, an individual can make a significant difference in the world, promoting a culture of peace and understanding in their community and beyond.
