In a historic announcement, Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese atomic bomb survivors’ group, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its tireless efforts to promote a world free of nuclear weapons. This prestigious recognition highlights the group’s decades-long dedication to ensuring that the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are never repeated.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, led by Chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes, emphasized the powerful impact of the group’s witness testimony in illustrating the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons. “Their efforts have shown that nuclear weapons must never be used again,” Frydnes stated during the official announcement at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo.
Often referred to as Hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been at the forefront of advocating for nuclear disarmament. Through their harrowing experiences, Nihon Hidankyo has fostered global awareness of the suffering caused by nuclear warfare, driving international efforts to establish a strong “nuclear taboo.”
The Nobel Committee’s decision to honor Hibakusha pays tribute to their resilience. Despite enduring physical and emotional trauma, these survivors have transformed their painful memories into a powerful movement for peace. “They help us describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable, and to understand the incomprehensible pain and suffering caused by nuclear weapons,” the committee remarked.
However, the Nobel Committee also sounded a warning about the current state of global nuclear policies. As nuclear powers modernize their arsenals, and new nations explore acquiring these destructive weapons, the hard-won nuclear taboo is under threat. The committee stressed the need to remember the unparalleled devastation that nuclear weapons represent, particularly at this critical juncture in global history.
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize award to Nihon Hidankyo follows the 2023 prize, which was awarded to Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian women’s rights advocate, for her courageous struggle against oppression in Iran. While the other Nobel Prizes are announced in Stockholm, the Peace Prize is traditionally awarded in Oslo, Norway.
This recognition of Nihon Hidankyo highlights the urgency of nuclear disarmament and the importance of remembering the lessons from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With rising global tensions, this award serves as a reminder of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons and the need for continued efforts towards global peace.
