Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese association of atomic bomb survivors, was announced as the winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, cited for its work over six decades to eliminate nuclear weapons from this Earth. Founded in 1956, it is an organization of survivors of that cataclysmic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The Norwegian Nobel Committee referred particularly to the organization’s significant contributions toward establishing the “nuclear taboo” and working toward global disarmament of nuclear arms by creating a testimonial for the voices of survivors. This report pointed to the “appalling harm” of nuclear weapons to ensure they are never again launched.
Nobel Committee Chair Joergen Watne Frydnes
Said the campaign rightly makes powerful use of personal experience, but that the nuclear taboo remains “under pressure.” As many hurdles await this effort, Nihon Hidankyo’s work has been unwavering in demanding a world free from nuclear menace.
Prizes must be awarded despite controversy over potential nominees,
One of them being that of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNWRA, whose nine members were recently dismissed on allegations of having a hand in the Hamas attack on Israel in October this year. International Court of Justice, another nominee, also courted the criticism of having been conducting investigations into claims of genocide in Gaza.
This year’s Peace Prize received 286 nominations,
Involving 197 individuals and 89 organizations. Nihon Hidankyo has come under the Nobel Peace Prize as its equivalents awarded in 2023 were claimed by Narges Mohammadi-an Iranian human rights activist for the courageous battle against women oppression in Iran.
Speaking to the journalists, co-head of Nihon Hidankyo, Toshiyuki Mimaki, reveals deep emotional feelings that this win has bestowed upon the survivors. While tears are streaming down his face, speaking to the journalists, he would say he could never have imagined how deeply this win would be in the significance of winning such an award for the entire world.
