Nihon Hidankyo, a group of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in promoting a nuclear-free world. Members of the group, now in their 80s and 90s, accepted the prestigious award in Oslo, Norway. Toshiyuki Mimaki, the co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, expressed surprise at winning the award, expecting it to go to those working for peace in Gaza instead.
The group’s mission is to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again, with a focus on ending conflicts such as the war in Gaza. Terumi Tanaka, who delivered the acceptance lecture on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, highlighted the ongoing wars in Palestine and Ukraine as significant concerns. Tanaka emphasized the need to prevent the breaking of the nuclear taboo, especially in conflicts involving nuclear superpowers like Russia and Israel.
Tanaka recounted his own experience as a survivor of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, describing the horror of the attacks and the lack of assistance for injured individuals. He emphasized the importance of preventing the use of nuclear weapons in the future, referencing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a crucial step in this direction.
Overall, Nihon Hidankyo’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize underscores the continued importance of nuclear disarmament efforts and the need to work towards a world free of nuclear weapons to prevent further devastation and suffering.
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