The Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its tireless advocacy for a world free of nuclear weapons. The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored the group for its efforts to educate the world about the horrors of nuclear warfare and to uphold the “nuclear taboo” through the testimony of survivors, known in Japan as “hibakusha.”
Nihon Hidankyo, founded by atomic bomb survivors, has long been a voice for the global abolition of nuclear weapons. The hibakusha, who witnessed the unimaginable devastation of the atomic bombings during World War II, have dedicated their lives to advocating for peace and preventing the use of such weapons ever again. Many hibakusha suffered radiation-related illnesses and social ostracization in the post-war years, bearing both physical and emotional scars. As of March 2024, over 106,000 survivors, with an average age of 85.6, continue to live in Japan, many of them still active in the cause.
In its citation, the Nobel Committee highlighted the group’s role in keeping the memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki alive, especially at a time when the threat of nuclear war has resurfaced. Nihon Hidankyo co-chair Toshiyuki Mimaki, himself a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying it would amplify their call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and global peace. “Nuclear weapons should absolutely be abolished,” Mimaki declared, holding back tears at a press conference in Hiroshima.
The Nobel Committee warned that the world is at a crossroads, with global tensions rising and the modernizing of nuclear arsenals by key nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s repeated nuclear threats and North Korea’s pursuit of becoming a nuclear military superpower have reignited global fears. The award serves as a stern reminder of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare, echoing the 2017 award to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
The award to Nihon Hidankyo marks the second time a Japanese individual or organization has received the Nobel Peace Prize, the first being former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 1974 for his work on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Next year will also mark 80 years since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, underscoring the importance of the hibakusha’s message in a world still grappling with the threat of nuclear conflict.
This year’s award reinforces the Nobel Committee’s longstanding focus on the nuclear issue, drawing parallels with previous laureates like Elie Wiesel and Russia’s Memorial for their efforts to keep the memories of past atrocities alive. Nihon Hidankyo’s win is a powerful call for action to prevent future generations from experiencing the horror of nuclear warfare.
