Editorial: Nihon Hidankyo awarded Nobel Peace Prize: Booster for a world without nuclear weapons
Oct. 12, 2024
Nuclear weapons must never be used again. The appeals and actions of hibakusha have finally been recognized around the world.
The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), a nationwide organization of A-bomb survivors, has been selected to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The last Japanese who received the prize was former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato. He was awarded the prize in 1974 for the three non-nuclear principles and other reasons.
Next year will mark the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During this long time, many survivors have left this world, and the average age of atomic bomb survivors now exceeds 85. We heartily rejoice the world’s recognition of the assiduous efforts of A-bomb survivors to appeal to the world about the inhumanity of nuclear weapons.
Nihon Hidankyo was formed in August 1956. As the A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were facing illness, poverty and discrimination, it took 11 years after the atomic bombings for them to rise up.
When the organization was formed, they declared: “We have pledged to save humanity from crisis through our experience.” With this in mind, the hibakusha have continued to give witness testimonies both in Japan and abroad, while also calling for medical care and a stable livelihood for the hibakusha. Through these efforts, the word “hibakusha” has come to be known around the world.
The Nobel Committee praised A-bomb survivors’ testimonies as having issued an urgent warning against the spread and use of nuclear weapons and “have helped to generate and consolidate widespread opposition to nuclear weapons.” This grassroots movement of Nihon Hidankyo has greatly contributed to the establishment of the “nuclear taboo,” the idea that the use of nuclear weapons is morally unacceptable. This reason for the award must be taken seriously.
In their efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and abolition, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, an organization of doctors from around the world, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons in 2017.
We cannot just be happy about the prize. The fear nuclear weapons might be used again is higher than ever. Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine and continues to threaten the use of nuclear weapons. North Korea is advancing its nuclear development. The conflict between Israel and Iran is also becoming more serious.
The decision to award the prize to Nihon Hidankyo is a warning to a world moving backward from nuclear abolition. We must increase our efforts to achieve nuclear abolition.
After hearing news of the prize, Nihon Hidankyo Co-Chairperson Terumi Tanaka said, “Nuclear weapons cannot coexist with humanity. I urge the Japanese government to take the lead in working towards nuclear abolition.” This is a very reasonable comment.
The framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has been paralyzed, though the treaty should be the foundation of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In addition, there is no sign of progress in the nuclear disarmament negotiations the nuclear weapon states are obliged to conduct. We cannot turn a blind eye to the reality that nuclear capabilities are being enhanced, and that nuclear deterrence theory is being strengthened by the nuclear weapon states and the countries that rely on them.
“A chain reaction of spiritual atoms must overcome the chain reaction of material atoms.” These are the words of the late Ichiro Moritaki, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University, who led the anti-nuclear movement as the first Chair of Nihon Hidankyo. We must not forget the beginning of this movement: the emotional connection of human beings must prevail against the chain reaction of nuclear arms.
Nihon Hidankyo has been calling on the Japanese government to participate in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which came into effect in 2021. However, the government has refused to participate even as an observer. This is totally unacceptable. The government should use the award as an opportunity to change course and participate in the treaty.
(Originally published on October 12, 2024)
The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), a nationwide organization of A-bomb survivors, has been selected to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The last Japanese who received the prize was former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato. He was awarded the prize in 1974 for the three non-nuclear principles and other reasons.
Next year will mark the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During this long time, many survivors have left this world, and the average age of atomic bomb survivors now exceeds 85. We heartily rejoice the world’s recognition of the assiduous efforts of A-bomb survivors to appeal to the world about the inhumanity of nuclear weapons.
Nihon Hidankyo was formed in August 1956. As the A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were facing illness, poverty and discrimination, it took 11 years after the atomic bombings for them to rise up.
When the organization was formed, they declared: “We have pledged to save humanity from crisis through our experience.” With this in mind, the hibakusha have continued to give witness testimonies both in Japan and abroad, while also calling for medical care and a stable livelihood for the hibakusha. Through these efforts, the word “hibakusha” has come to be known around the world.
The Nobel Committee praised A-bomb survivors’ testimonies as having issued an urgent warning against the spread and use of nuclear weapons and “have helped to generate and consolidate widespread opposition to nuclear weapons.” This grassroots movement of Nihon Hidankyo has greatly contributed to the establishment of the “nuclear taboo,” the idea that the use of nuclear weapons is morally unacceptable. This reason for the award must be taken seriously.
In their efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and abolition, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, an organization of doctors from around the world, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons in 2017.
We cannot just be happy about the prize. The fear nuclear weapons might be used again is higher than ever. Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine and continues to threaten the use of nuclear weapons. North Korea is advancing its nuclear development. The conflict between Israel and Iran is also becoming more serious.
The decision to award the prize to Nihon Hidankyo is a warning to a world moving backward from nuclear abolition. We must increase our efforts to achieve nuclear abolition.
After hearing news of the prize, Nihon Hidankyo Co-Chairperson Terumi Tanaka said, “Nuclear weapons cannot coexist with humanity. I urge the Japanese government to take the lead in working towards nuclear abolition.” This is a very reasonable comment.
The framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has been paralyzed, though the treaty should be the foundation of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. In addition, there is no sign of progress in the nuclear disarmament negotiations the nuclear weapon states are obliged to conduct. We cannot turn a blind eye to the reality that nuclear capabilities are being enhanced, and that nuclear deterrence theory is being strengthened by the nuclear weapon states and the countries that rely on them.
“A chain reaction of spiritual atoms must overcome the chain reaction of material atoms.” These are the words of the late Ichiro Moritaki, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University, who led the anti-nuclear movement as the first Chair of Nihon Hidankyo. We must not forget the beginning of this movement: the emotional connection of human beings must prevail against the chain reaction of nuclear arms.
Nihon Hidankyo has been calling on the Japanese government to participate in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which came into effect in 2021. However, the government has refused to participate even as an observer. This is totally unacceptable. The government should use the award as an opportunity to change course and participate in the treaty.
(Originally published on October 12, 2024)
