Japanese Group For Atomic Bomb Survivors Nihon Hidankyo Awarded Nobel Peace Prize 2024

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organisation representing the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The group was recognised for its tireless work in advocating for a world free from nuclear weapons and for the powerful testimony provided by its members about the horrors of nuclear warfare.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/NobelPrize

Established in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo is the largest and most influential organisation of atomic bomb survivors in Japan. Its mission has been to raise global awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear arms.

Through the personal accounts of the Hibakusha - the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - the organisation has contributed on a big scale to the development of the international "nuclear taboo," a strong moral norm against the use of nuclear weapons.

The Nobel Committee commended Nihon Hidankyo for its steadfast commitment to generating and sustaining global opposition to nuclear arms, noting that the testimonies of the Hibakusha have provided a unique and direct understanding of the immense pain and suffering caused by these weapons.

"The Hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable," the Committee remarked in its announcement.

Even though nearly 80 years have passed since the bombings, nuclear weapons still pose a major global threat. The award serves as a stark reminder of the increasing dangers to world peace.

The Committee observed that nuclear arsenals are being modernised, and the norm against their use is under pressure as new threats arise.

The ongoing war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia's invasion, continues into its third year, with enormous loss of life. In Gaza, a conflict that erupted in October 2023 has already claimed over 42,000 lives, with violence escalating across the region. Sudan, too, is enduring a deadly 17-month conflict that has displaced millions.

"At this moment in human history, it is worth reminding ourselves what nuclear weapons are: the most destructive weapons the world has ever seen," the Committee's statement added.

Next year will mark 80 years since the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing an estimated 120,000 people instantly, with thousands more dying from injuries and radiation exposure in the years that followed.

The stories of the Hibakusha, shared through witness accounts, public appeals, and annual delegations to the United Nations, have played a pivotal role in advancing nuclear disarmament efforts.

"In awarding this year's Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour all survivors who, despite physical suffering and painful memories, have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace," the Committee said.