Grandson of Southeast Asian student Yusof’s younger brother visits grave at temple in Saeki Ward and expresses his intention to convey A-bomb survivor’s testimony in his homeland
Mar. 27, 2022
by Rina Yuasa, Staff Writer
A relative of Nick Yusof, a Southeast Asian Special Student who came to Hiroshima to study during World War II from Malaya (present-day Malaysia) and lost his life in the atomic bombing, recently paid a visit to Kozenji Temple in Saeki Ward, Hiroshima, where his grave is located. He listened to testimony from an A-bomb survivor who was familiar with the Southeast Asian Special Students, and followed in their footsteps at that time.
Nik Mustaqeem, 25, a grandson of Mr. Yusof’s younger brother, laid flowers on an Islamic-style grave erected in the temple grounds, and offered a prayer in Arabic so Mr. Yusof’s soul would find peace in heaven. He appreciated the great care local residents have taken in looking after the grave and shed tears of gratitude.
Mr. Yusof was one of nine students from Southeast Asia who were brought to Japan under Japan’s national policy of nurturing Asian leaders who would work collaboratively with Japan and were attending the Hiroshima University of Literature and Science (present-day Hiroshima University). He was staying at the Konan-ryo students’ dormitory (now part of Naka Ward) located about 900 meters from the hypocenter, when the atomic bomb exploded. He fled toward Itsukaichi-cho (now part of Saeki Ward). However, he died from severe burns. Hiroshi Hoshizuki, 74, the former head priest of the temple, explained why Mr. Yusof’s grave was placed there, by saying “Local people cremated his body and then a firefighter brough his ashes to the temple.”
After visiting the grave, Mr. Mustaqeem met online and spoke with Meiko Kurihara, 95, a resident of Aki Ward, who had slept in the open air with the Southeast Asian Special Students in the aftermath of the atomic bombing. Ms. Kurihara said, “Mr. Yusof left us, saying he would report to the university that the dormitory students were safe. I think it must have been truly painful for him to escape to such a far place,” recalling her memories.
Mr. Mustaqeem graduated from Muroran Institute of Technology in Hokkaido this spring as an international student, and visited Hiroshima before returning to Malaysia. He said he came to Japan with great admiration for his great-uncle and added he would like to convey to people what he learned from his visit to Hiroshima.
(Originally published on March 27, 2022)
A relative of Nick Yusof, a Southeast Asian Special Student who came to Hiroshima to study during World War II from Malaya (present-day Malaysia) and lost his life in the atomic bombing, recently paid a visit to Kozenji Temple in Saeki Ward, Hiroshima, where his grave is located. He listened to testimony from an A-bomb survivor who was familiar with the Southeast Asian Special Students, and followed in their footsteps at that time.
Nik Mustaqeem, 25, a grandson of Mr. Yusof’s younger brother, laid flowers on an Islamic-style grave erected in the temple grounds, and offered a prayer in Arabic so Mr. Yusof’s soul would find peace in heaven. He appreciated the great care local residents have taken in looking after the grave and shed tears of gratitude.
Mr. Yusof was one of nine students from Southeast Asia who were brought to Japan under Japan’s national policy of nurturing Asian leaders who would work collaboratively with Japan and were attending the Hiroshima University of Literature and Science (present-day Hiroshima University). He was staying at the Konan-ryo students’ dormitory (now part of Naka Ward) located about 900 meters from the hypocenter, when the atomic bomb exploded. He fled toward Itsukaichi-cho (now part of Saeki Ward). However, he died from severe burns. Hiroshi Hoshizuki, 74, the former head priest of the temple, explained why Mr. Yusof’s grave was placed there, by saying “Local people cremated his body and then a firefighter brough his ashes to the temple.”
After visiting the grave, Mr. Mustaqeem met online and spoke with Meiko Kurihara, 95, a resident of Aki Ward, who had slept in the open air with the Southeast Asian Special Students in the aftermath of the atomic bombing. Ms. Kurihara said, “Mr. Yusof left us, saying he would report to the university that the dormitory students were safe. I think it must have been truly painful for him to escape to such a far place,” recalling her memories.
Mr. Mustaqeem graduated from Muroran Institute of Technology in Hokkaido this spring as an international student, and visited Hiroshima before returning to Malaysia. He said he came to Japan with great admiration for his great-uncle and added he would like to convey to people what he learned from his visit to Hiroshima.
(Originally published on March 27, 2022)
