The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday that the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo. This grassroots movement, composed of survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, known as the Hibakusha, has been recognized for its relentless efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for its powerful testimonies that highlight the urgency of ensuring such horrors are never repeated.
Nihon Hidankyo: The Voice of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Survivors
Following the atomic bombings of August 1945, a global movement emerged, driven by people who tirelessly worked to raise awareness of the devastating humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. This collective effort has helped establish an international norm that stigmatizes the use of nuclear weapons as morally unacceptable—a principle now known as the “nuclear taboo.”
The Hibakusha, as living witnesses to the unimaginable suffering caused by the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have played a crucial role in consolidating global opposition to nuclear weapons. By sharing their personal experiences, leading educational campaigns, and issuing urgent warnings about the dangers of nuclear proliferation, the Hibakusha have made it possible for the world to truly understand the horrors of nuclear warfare and to recognize its catastrophic impact.
80 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The Struggle for a World Without Nuclear Weapons
Next year will mark 80 years since the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, instantly killing approximately 120,000 people, with a similar number dying later from burns and radiation exposure. Today, nuclear weapons are far more powerful, capable of killing millions and causing catastrophic climate impacts. A nuclear war could mean the total destruction of human civilization.
For many years, the plight of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors was largely ignored. In 1956, local Hibakusha associations, together with victims of nuclear tests in the Pacific, founded the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, known as Nihon Hidankyo. Over time, Nihon Hidankyo has become the largest and most influential Hibakusha organization in Japan, actively advocating for a nuclear-free world.
Honoring the Legacy of the Hibakusha and Their Commitment to Peace
The decision to award this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo aligns perfectly with the spirit of Alfred Nobel’s will, joining a distinguished list of laureates who have fought for nuclear disarmament and arms control. The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize recognizes efforts that profoundly benefit humanity and reaffirms our collective responsibility to strive for a world without nuclear weapons.
