Nihon Hidankyo Recognized for Advocacy Against Nuclear Weapons
Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group representing survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored the group, known as hibakusha, for its tireless efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons and its role in reinforcing the global “nuclear taboo.”
Nobel Committee Chair Joergen Watne Frydnes praised Nihon Hidankyo for its significant contributions to establishing a global aversion to nuclear weapons. He cautioned, however, that this “nuclear taboo” is now “under pressure,” making the group’s work all the more vital.
Sharing Testimonies of the 1945 Bombings
Since its founding in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo has worked to educate the world about the horrors of nuclear weapons by sharing the testimonies of atomic bomb survivors. The organization sends hibakusha around the world to recount their experiences and raise awareness of the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare.
The group’s mission began nearly a decade after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped a uranium bomb on Hiroshima, killing approximately 140,000 people. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War Two.
Emotional Response from the Survivors
Toshiyuki Mimaki, co-head of Nihon Hidankyo, expressed his overwhelming gratitude for the Nobel recognition in an emotional statement to the press. “Never did I dream this could happen,” he said tearfully. Mimaki also criticized the idea that nuclear weapons maintain global peace, warning that such weapons could be used by terrorists and bring further destruction.
Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in December
The Nobel Peace Prize, which includes a diploma, a gold medal, and a $1 million cash award, will be presented at a ceremony in Oslo in December, commemorating the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The prize highlights the enduring relevance of Nihon Hidankyo’s message: nuclear weapons must never be used again.
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