Key Facts
• In 2025, 20-year-old Tsugumi Inoue began sharing Hiroshima survivor stories in English.
• In June, Inoue joined a Ministry of Foreign Affairs program visiting European countries.
• She shared the story of Shozo Kawamoto, an 11-year-old orphaned by the atomic bomb.
• Kawamoto lost his parents and four siblings in the Hiroshima bombing 80 years ago.
• Kawamoto, who passed away at 88, inspired Inoue to become a storyteller.
• Inoue was officially recognized as a storyteller by Hiroshima City in 2024.
• In August 2025, she gave her first English lecture at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
• Over 31,000 foreign visitors, 45% of the total, visited the museum by June 2025.
• Inoue emphasized Kawamoto’s message of peace and the plight of atomic bomb orphans.
• Audience members from France and the U.S. expressed the importance of remembering these stories.
Summary
Tsugumi Inoue, a 20-year-old storyteller from Hiroshima, is sharing the experiences of atomic bomb survivors in English to promote global peace. Inspired by Shozo Kawamoto, an orphan of the Hiroshima bombing, Inoue has taken on the responsibility of preserving his legacy. After being officially recognized as a storyteller in 2024, she participated in a European peace program in 2025, where she shared Kawamoto’s story. In August 2025, she delivered her first English lecture at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, highlighting the struggles of atomic bomb orphans. Her efforts resonate with international audiences, with over 31,000 foreign visitors attending the museum by mid-2025. Inoue’s mission is to ensure that the lessons of Hiroshima are remembered worldwide, fostering a collective hope for peace.
