Overview
- Hatsue Kajiyama was identified from hair kept with unclaimed ashes at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park after decades of uncertainty.
- Her remains had been recorded under the name Michiko Kajiyama until a family inquiry prompted verification.
- Forensic specialists at Kanagawa Dental University extracted DNA from the hair in late November and confirmed a match with Hatsue’s younger sister.
- The Hiroshima city government validated the result on December 13 and the nephew expects to receive his aunt’s remains early next year.
- The city says it will offer DNA testing of preserved hair upon request, with about 70,000 unclaimed victims’ ashes held at the memorial and hair samples in roughly 10 urns.