Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors, awarded Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to achieve nuclear-free world
Nihon Hidankyo, an atomic bomb survivors group based in Hiroshima and Nagasaki prefectures, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons — the first time in 50 years that a Japanese recipient has been awarded the prize.
Joergen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said it awarded the organization with the honor for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again.
“The extraordinary efforts of Nihon Hidankyo and other representatives of the hibakusha have contributed greatly to the establishment of the nuclear taboo,” said Frydnes. “It is therefore alarming that today this taboo against the use of nuclear weapons is under pressure.”
The announcement comes ahead of next year’s 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings on the two cities, which killed a combined estimate of 210,000 people.
It also comes amid growing fears of the proliferation of nuclear weapons, with Russia and North Korea both repeatedly rattling their nuclear sabers.
“The nuclear powers are modernizing and upgrading their arsenals; new countries appear to be preparing to acquire nuclear weapons; and threats are being made to use nuclear weapons in ongoing warfare,” Frydnes said. “At this moment in human history, it is worth reminding ourselves what nuclear weapons are: the most destructive weapons the world has ever seen.”
In January, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists said its Doomsday Clock, which measures how close the world is to global catastrophe — including the use of nuclear weapons — said the clock was at a “moment of historic danger” at "90 seconds to midnight.”
Toshiyuki Mimaki, one of the senior members of Nihon Hidankyo who had been watching the Nobel Peace Prize announcement in Hiroshima, was full of tears.
“I can’t believe it’s true,” he said, adding that he would like to continue appealing to the world for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting peace, according to NHK.
There are about 107,000 atomic survivors, with their average age being 85 years old, according to government data released in March. The aging of survivors is making it challenging for people to pass on their firsthand experiences to the younger generation.
A Japanese recipient was last awarded the prize 50 years ago, with the honor going to former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, who was also the first Asian laureate, for signing a nuclear nonproliferation treaty in 1970, as well as for the Three Non-Nuclear Principles he had advocated.
In Vientiane, Laos, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described Nihon Hidankyo’s award as “extremely meaningful.”
Nihon Hidankyo, or Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, dates back to 1956. It was originally aimed at campaigning against the 1954 Bikini Atoll hydrogen bomb test that exposed the crew of the Fukuryu Maru No. 5 to radioactive fallout.
Frydnes said the greater significance of Hidankyo’s contribution lies in the future.
“One day, the hibakusha will no longer be among us as witnesses to history. But with a strong culture of remembrance and continued commitment, new generations in Japan are carrying forward the experience and the message of the witnesses,” he said.
“They are inspiring and educating people around the world. In this way they are helping to maintain the nuclear taboo — a precondition of a peaceful future for humanity,” Frydnes added.