Sumiteru Taniguchi

Sumiteru Taniguchi (26 January 1929 – 30 August 2017) was a Japanese postman, atomic bomb survivor, and prominent anti-nuclear weapons activist. His life story, marked by immense physical suffering and extraordinary resilience, became one of the most compelling testimonies to the horrors of nuclear warfare. As one of the survivors of the Nagasaki bombing, he dedicated his life to promoting peace and advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Early Life and Background

Sumiteru Taniguchi was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, in 1929. After losing his mother at a very young age, he was raised by relatives in Nagasaki. Growing up during wartime Japan, Taniguchi began working as a postman at the age of fourteen, contributing to the national postal service amid the hardships of the Second World War.
By August 1945, he was serving as a delivery carrier in Nagasaki, unaware that his life was about to be irreversibly changed by one of the most catastrophic events in human history.

The Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki

On 9 August 1945, the United States dropped a plutonium atomic bomb, codenamed Fat Man, on Nagasaki. Taniguchi, then sixteen years old, was riding his bicycle to deliver mail about 1.8 kilometres from the hypocentre of the explosion. Within seconds, he was struck by an immense blast of heat and radiation that burned away the skin on his back, left arm, and much of his body.
He later described the horrific experience of looking down to find his own skin hanging from his body like torn cloth. Severely injured and left without immediate medical assistance, he lay exposed for days before being rescued. Taniguchi’s condition was critical — his back and arms were covered in third-degree burns, his ribs exposed, and his wounds were prone to infection and maggot infestation.
He spent nearly two years bedridden in hospital, most of that time unable to lie on his back because of the extensive burns. Even after his recovery, his skin remained fragile, scarred, and prone to reopening. His suffering was immortalised in a 1946 photograph showing his raw, scarred back — an image that became one of the most widely circulated reminders of the human cost of nuclear war.

Recovery and Return to Life

After years of medical treatment and rehabilitation, Sumiteru Taniguchi resumed work at the Nagasaki post office in 1949, demonstrating immense resilience despite chronic pain and recurring health complications. Throughout his life, he underwent multiple surgeries and treatments to manage the effects of his injuries and radiation exposure.
Despite these struggles, Taniguchi refused to remain silent. Instead, he chose to use his personal tragedy as a means of advocacy, speaking publicly about the horrors of nuclear warfare and urging people to work towards a world free of nuclear arms.

Activism and Advocacy

Taniguchi became one of the most recognised hibakusha — a term referring to survivors of the atomic bombings. His activism extended over decades, during which he worked tirelessly to preserve the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to promote disarmament.
He served as the Chairman of the Nagasaki Council of A-Bomb Sufferers, where he campaigned for the rights and welfare of survivors and for the elimination of nuclear weapons. He frequently delivered speeches at international conferences, peace assemblies, and educational events, often showing his scars to demonstrate the inhumanity of nuclear weapons.
His message consistently focused on peace, empathy, and the moral responsibility of humanity to prevent such destruction from ever occurring again. Taniguchi emphasised that the so-called “nuclear umbrella” could never provide true security, and he urged future generations to reject militarism and embrace peace.

Influence and Recognition

Through his activism, Sumiteru Taniguchi became a global symbol of resilience and moral conviction. His story was featured in documentaries, exhibitions, and peace museums, particularly the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, where his photograph continues to serve as a stark visual reminder of the atomic bomb’s human toll.
He met with world leaders, youth groups, and peace organisations, sharing his experience to encourage nuclear disarmament and humanitarian cooperation. His life’s work greatly contributed to keeping the stories of hibakusha alive for new generations, ensuring that the legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would not fade from collective memory.

Later Life and Death

Even in his later years, Taniguchi continued his peace advocacy, travelling domestically and internationally to participate in peace ceremonies. Despite his declining health, he remained committed to the cause of nuclear abolition until his final days.
Sumiteru Taniguchi passed away on 30 August 2017 in Nagasaki at the age of 88, following a battle with cancer of the duodenal papilla. His death marked the loss of one of the most courageous and outspoken survivors of the atomic bombings.

Legacy and Significance

Sumiteru Taniguchi’s legacy endures as a beacon of peace and humanity. His life exemplified the power of perseverance in the face of unimaginable suffering. By transforming his pain into activism, he helped shift the world’s perception of nuclear weapons from instruments of power to symbols of devastation.
Key aspects of his legacy include:

• Moral advocacy: He gave a human voice to the consequences of nuclear warfare, influencing global discussions on disarmament.
• Historical memory: His testimony and image became vital educational tools for conveying the realities of atomic warfare to future generations.
• Human resilience: His recovery and activism symbolised courage, hope, and the unyielding spirit of survival.