Nihon Hidankyo, the organization representing survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has received the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for their long-standing advocacy against nuclear weapons. The Nobel Committee's recognition, made on October 11, 2024, highlights the group's enduring efforts to establish a world free of nuclear arms and the significant impact of their personal testimonies on global disarmament discussions.
The Nobel Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organizations contributing to the promotion of peace, and this year’s selection emphasizes the continuing risks posed by nuclear arsenals. Over the years, Nihon Hidankyo has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the repercussions of nuclear warfare and the urgent need for disarmament.
Founded in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo, formally known as the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, consists of hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors, who survived the bombings of Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. These survivors have been pivotal not just for their testimonies but for their advocacy efforts. The bond among members has been solidified through shared experiences of trauma and the pressing desire to prevent history from repeating itself.
According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the award was conferred upon Nihon Hidankyo for “demonstration through witness testimony” about the catastrophic toll and humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, underscoring the phrase, "nuclear weapons must never be used again." Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Nobel Committee, remarked on the heightened urgency for disarmament amid rising nuclear threats globally.
The committee emphasized the importance of the hibakusha's narratives. Their voices describe the indescribable, presenting the harrowing consequences of nuclear disaster. They remind the world of the suffering inflicted upon civilians, as nearly 150,000 lost their lives due to the initial attacks and many more from resulting radiation effects and persistent health issues.
Toshiyuki Mimaki, co-head of Nihon Hidankyo, shared poignant reflections about his memories of the survivors when he was only three years old. He cautioned against the notion of nuclear weapons maintaining peace, highlighted the potential threat of misuse, including by terrorist organizations. His words resonate more as geopolitical tensions intensify, especially with threats made by countries possessing nuclear capabilities.
The Nobel Prize, which includes a $1 million cash award, also serves as a call to action for nuclear disarmament. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lauded the hibakusha as "soul-bearing witnesses of the horrific human cost of nuclear weapons," emphasizing the increasing importance of their stories amid global uncertainties, which have seen nuclear stockpiles expand with more than 12,000 warheads still estimated globally.
Nihon Hidankyo’s activism has not only focused on local disarmament but has played significant roles on international platforms, urging for the realization of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, enacted in 2017, which currently has 94 signatory countries. This treaty stands as evidence of growing global consciousness and commitment among nations to negotiate toward nuclear abolition.
The path to recognition has been fraught with challenges. Notably, discussions surrounding the bombings were shunned for years due to the post-war stigma associated with the events. It was only after the 1954 Lucky Dragon incident—when Japanese fishermen were poisoned by irradiated fallout from American nuclear tests—that hibakusha began to raise their voices collectively, forming Nihon Hidankyo.
Throughout the ensuing decades, the group has mobilized international attention and sympathy, securing its place within the broader anti-nuclear movement. Their stories have been pivotal to raising awareness, exemplified by campaigns initiated during the late 20th century which sparked significant public opposition to nuclear armament, particularly exemplified during the Canadian anti-nuclear movement of the early 1980s.
Members like Setsuko Thurlow have reached iconic heights within the disarmament discourse, her testimony and advocacy reaching across borders. Her activism is reflective of the group's broader mission: ensuring future generations learn about the catastrophic realities of nuclear warfare and combatting the normalized rhetoric around weapons of mass destruction.
The award signifies not just recognition for Nihon Hidankyo's efforts but calls upon the global community to reexamine its stance on nuclear disarmament, as tensions remain high in regions like Eastern Europe with Russia’s activities creating undue anxiety among Eastern nations.
Despite living through immense trauma and loss, the hibakusha represent resilience and hope. Their continued call for peace offers clarity to the complicated geopolitical narrative surrounding nuclear weapons. This prestigious accolade serves as both acknowledgment of their past struggles and as encouragement for future citizens to engage actively for peace and security.
