Former crew of fifth Fukuryu Maru dies in bikini bomb test

Former crew of the fifth Fukuryu Maru died in bikini bomb test

66 years ago, Masaho Ikeda, a crew member of the Fifth Ryumaru tuna fishing boat in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, was exposed to a U.S. bomb test on the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. I was 87 years old.

Masaho Ikeda conducted a water bomb test on the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean and Marshall Islands while the United States was operating in the South Pacific as an engineer on the deep-sea tuna fishing boat "Fifth Ryumaru" in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture on March 1, 1954. Then, I was exposed to "ash of death" containing radioactive material.

Immediately after the exposure, I didn't talk much about my own experience, but after nearly 60 years, I began to engage in activities that are handed down to the younger generation.

In a documentary film produced by an American movie director released last year, a former crew, Susumu Misaki, who had testified with the same former crew and had a longing for "an existence like an older brother" in February last year, When I died at the age of 92, I was visiting for condolences.

According to relatives, Mr. Ikeda had repeatedly been hospitalized for treatment of cancers such as the esophagus and liver, but became ill again last December and died at a hospital in Yaizu City due to stomach cancer on December 20. .

Survivors and acquaintances "I want a world without nuclear weapons"

Hiroshi, the second son of Masaho Ikeda who died on the 20th, said, "It was the last conversation that my father spoke in a clear tone on the morning of yesterday," I've lived so far. Thank you very much. " He said, "Never, I don't think there is a nuclear test in North Korea. I hope that the world will be free of nuclear weapons, as my father wants."

Takako Kasuya, who has a friendship with former crew members such as Ikeda and continues to work against nuclear weapons, visited a funeral home in Yaizu city and said, "Thank you very much for your efforts. He was a strong, bright and really strong sea man.Sorry, but I can learn about Ikeda's experience from the videos and the remaining materials, so the future generations will also forget the importance of peace I want you to take it without it. "