“Nihon Hidankyo” wins 2024 Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, for their efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and their powerful witness testimony against the use of such weapons.

Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, announced the award in Oslo, emphasizing the importance of the group's work at a time when the taboo against nuclear weapons use is under pressure. The committee praised the Hibakusha (survivors of the atomic bombings) for helping to describe the indescribable and grasp the incomprehensible pain caused by nuclear weapons.

The award comes amid growing global tensions surrounding nuclear weapons. Recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin about potential nuclear retaliation, North Korea's accelerated nuclear program, and concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions have heightened international anxieties.

Toshiyuki Mimaki, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo and a survivor himself, expressed hope that the award would boost their efforts to demonstrate the possibility of nuclear abolition. The news was met with emotional responses in Japan, where many see it as a duty to raise awareness about the impacts of nuclear warfare.

The Nobel Committee's decision underscores the urgent need for nuclear disarmament and highlights the powerful impact of survivors' testimonies. It serves as a reminder of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use and the importance of preventing such devastation from ever occurring again.

This recognition of Nihon Hidankyo's work comes at a critical time when the threat of nuclear conflict seems to be increasing. The award not only honors the survivors' dedication to peace but also amplifies their message to a global audience, potentially influencing policy makers and public opinion on nuclear disarmament.