Sunao Tsuboi facts for kids

Sunao Tsuboi (坪井 直, Tsuboi Sunao, May 5, 1925 – October 24, 2021) was a Japanese activist and teacher. He worked to stop nuclear weapons and war. He was a hibakusha, meaning he survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Tsuboi was also a leader of Nihon Hidankyo. This group helps people who suffered from atomic and hydrogen bombs. In 2011, he received the Kiyoshi Tanimoto peace prize for his efforts.

Sunao Tsuboi's Story

Early Life and Dreams

Sunao Tsuboi was born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. He grew up with four brothers. From a young age, he loved math and science. He dreamed of becoming an inventor. Sadly, his two oldest brothers went to war in China and never came home.

Surviving the Atomic Bomb

The Day the Bomb Fell

In 1945, Sunao Tsuboi was a student. He attended the Hiroshima City Technical School. On August 6, he had just finished breakfast. He was walking to school when the atomic bomb exploded. He was badly burned in the blast. Everyone in the dining hall where he ate was killed.

His school was on fire, so he went to his aunt's house. He was in shock and did not realize how badly he was hurt. He left his aunt's house because he did not want to be a burden. He walked to Miyuki Bridge, hoping to find help. Police officers there were pouring cooking oil on burned children. This was to ease their pain.

Finding Help and Family

Later, Tsuboi was taken to Ujina port by truck. Then he went to Ninoshima island by boat. Only young men were evacuated, as they were needed for the war. He asked a visitor to tell his family he was alive. He stayed on Ninoshima for several days. A classmate cared for him and gave him food.

His mother and uncle searched for him for three days. They looked among the dead and dying. When his uncle suggested giving up, his mother screamed his name. Tsuboi heard her and raised his hand. He said, "Here I am." He was then taken home. His aunt said he looked like a ghost. He did not know the war had ended until he was told.

Life After the Bomb

Health Challenges

After the war, Tsuboi's family cared for him. He developed a serious blood condition called aplastic anaemia. He had many blood transfusions. He was hospitalized eleven times. Three times, doctors thought he would die. He also had two cancer diagnoses later in life. He received regular treatments for his anemia.

Becoming a Teacher

Tsuboi became a teacher because the hours were flexible. Teachers also had many days off. He taught math at a women's college. He also taught at other schools, including Ondo-Cho Junior High School. Every year, around August 6, he would share his story with his students. He was known as "Pika-don Sensei" or "Mr. Flash-Bang." This nickname referred to the atomic bombing. He became a junior high school principal. He retired in 1986.

Fighting for Peace

A Voice for Survivors

After retiring from teaching, Sunao Tsuboi became very active. He joined anti-nuclear and anti-war movements. He took part in protests and rallies. He traveled across Japan and to other countries. He always said that nuclear weapons must be removed from the world.

In 2000, he became a co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo. This is a group for people who survived atomic and hydrogen bombs. He gave many speeches to students and visitors in Hiroshima. He worked hard to help other hibakusha (bomb survivors). In 2018, he was named an honorary resident of Hiroshima. This was for his work against nuclear weapons.

Meeting World Leaders

In May 2016, he met Barack Obama. Obama was the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima. Tsuboi also spoke out about politics. He criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe. Tsuboi felt Abe was changing Japan's promise to be a peaceful country. In 2015, he and other survivors asked Abe to stop new security laws.

His Family and Legacy

When he was 26, Tsuboi met Suzuko, who became his wife. Her parents were worried about their marriage. They feared that as a bomb survivor, he might die young.

Sunao Tsuboi passed away on October 24, 2021. He died in Hiroshima at age 96. His death was due to heart problems caused by anemia. He is survived by his son and two daughters.