A-bomb survivor Pengiran Yusuf, former prime minister of Brunei, dies at 94
Apr. 13, 2016
by Kyoko Shinmoto, Staff Writer
On April 12, it was learned that Pengiran Yusuf, the former prime minister of Brunei who experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as an international student from Southeast Asia, has died at the age of 94. At the time of the A-bombing, he was one of nine international students from Southeast Asia at Hiroshima University of Literature and Science, the forerunner of Hiroshima University. He was the last A-bomb survivor of this group.
According to the Bruneian Embassy in Tokyo, Mr. Yusuf died at home in the morning of April 11.
Mr. Yusuf came to Japan in 1944 as an international student from Southeast Asia. He entered Hiroshima University of Literature and Science in 1945. According to Hiroshima University records, he experienced the atomic bombing of August 6 while in a classroom located about 1.5 kilometers from the hypocenter. In the aftermath of the A-bomb blast, he came to the aid of Japanese victims and slept out on the grounds of the university.
In 1966, he became the prime minister of Brunei. From 2001 to 2002, he served as Bruneian Ambassador to Japan because of his close ties to this country. In 2013, Mr. Yusuf was given an honorary doctorate by Hiroshima University for his efforts to promote peace and friendship between Brunei and Japan and for his peace activities.
Mitsuo Ochi, the president of Hiroshima University, commented, “I offer my most heartfelt condolences. I would like to faithfully follow Mr. Yusuf’s aspirations.”
(Originally published on April 13, 2016)
On April 12, it was learned that Pengiran Yusuf, the former prime minister of Brunei who experienced the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as an international student from Southeast Asia, has died at the age of 94. At the time of the A-bombing, he was one of nine international students from Southeast Asia at Hiroshima University of Literature and Science, the forerunner of Hiroshima University. He was the last A-bomb survivor of this group.
According to the Bruneian Embassy in Tokyo, Mr. Yusuf died at home in the morning of April 11.
Mr. Yusuf came to Japan in 1944 as an international student from Southeast Asia. He entered Hiroshima University of Literature and Science in 1945. According to Hiroshima University records, he experienced the atomic bombing of August 6 while in a classroom located about 1.5 kilometers from the hypocenter. In the aftermath of the A-bomb blast, he came to the aid of Japanese victims and slept out on the grounds of the university.
In 1966, he became the prime minister of Brunei. From 2001 to 2002, he served as Bruneian Ambassador to Japan because of his close ties to this country. In 2013, Mr. Yusuf was given an honorary doctorate by Hiroshima University for his efforts to promote peace and friendship between Brunei and Japan and for his peace activities.
Mitsuo Ochi, the president of Hiroshima University, commented, “I offer my most heartfelt condolences. I would like to faithfully follow Mr. Yusuf’s aspirations.”
(Originally published on April 13, 2016)
