Japan’s 1st female photojournalist Sasamoto dies at 107

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan’s first known female photojournalist Tsuneko Sasamoto died last week at the age of 107, local media reported.

Sasamoto, who was living at an old age facility in the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa province, south of capital Tokyo, died on Aug. 15, according to Jiji Press news agency.

Her work is known for documenting events in the run-up to the Pacific War that started in 1941.

Sasamoto, a winner of the US Lucie Award, during her career worked at a newspaper and later shifted to freelancing.

Her photos of a ladies’ meeting celebrating the Tripartite Pact between Germany, Italy and Japan are popular.

She also covered the conflict in Japan over the security treaty with the US.