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Project Overview
The Final Testimony of a 101-Year-Old Hiroshima Survivor - A Message of Peace for Future Generations.
August 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
We are creating a peace-focused event in honor of a 101-year-old Hiroshima survivor who was stationed in Hiroshima at the time of the atomic bombing. Despite being gravely injured, Masakazu Saito survived.
Since the war, he has dedicated his life to the abolition of nuclear weapons, especially through artwork and speaking to society about his experiences. We have compiled his story and published the book "Ninety Seconds Past Midnight" on Amazon and look to host some events to share his voice, his art, and his message with the world.
UPDATES:
July 22: A big thank you to all who have donated to date. Your donations helped with our travel to Iwate, where we met with Saito-san in Hanamaki City the first week of July. We recorded his voice and spent 30 minutes with him. But most importantly, our children sat at the side of this 101-year-old individual. They listened to him, and witnessed history not as a chapter in a textbook — but as a living, breathing human being.
Why This Project Matters
We seek to pass on the memories of Hiroshima—not as history in just a textbook, but as lived experience for generations to come through in-person event(s).
For our event, we look to invite participants to come, hear his message, and reflect on war and peace. We look to transcend national and political narratives, to come together as humans. We believe that the power to reflect, question, and feel with compassion is what leads to lasting peace.
Our events will include:
- Panel exhibition of Mr. Saito's drawings from the book
- Live reading and book sale of his story
- Screening of a video message from him
- Discussion circle and peace lamp or tea ceremony
Use of Funds
Your generous support will go toward:
- Travel to Japan to record Mr. Saito retelling his story, so people can hear his firsthand account from him.
- Convert his voice using AI generation for multi-lingual narration
- Creation of a dynamic presentation that brings his images to animated life
- Event(s) venue rental, equipment, and decoration
- Production and shipping of art panels
- Book printing and distribution
- Other travel and lodging (if needed)
- Educational resources for students (e.g., books, materials)
- Build and maintain a website so Mr. Saito's story reaches all corners of our world
Final Words and Our Appreciation
We are honored to help share Mr. Saito's story in his own voice—who at the age of 101 is still here to speak. Please join us in preserving his story and passing it on to the next generation.
Every donation, every share of this campaign, helps us carry his message of peace further.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in this mission.
Clinton & Kaoru Fairbanks