Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of Hidankyo, delivers speech to next generation at award ceremony for Nobel Peace Prize: “Let’s seek world of human society without nuclear weapons or war”
Dec. 11, 2024
by Michio Shimotaka, Staff Writer
Oslo—The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony for the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), a nationwide organization of atomic bomb survivors, was held on December 10 at Oslo City Hall in Norway. Terumi Tanaka, 92, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo who was exposed to the atomic bombing in Nagasaki, delivered a speech. Reflecting on his experience of losing five relatives in the atomic bombing by the U.S. military and the 68-year history of Nihon Hidankyo, he said, “Let’s work together to seek a world of human society without nuclear weapons or war.”
Mr. Tanaka testified his aunt and other relatives died in ways that could not be described as humane. He said A-bomb survivors, despite enduring illness and prejudice, formed Nihon Hidankyo and have since advocated for the abolition of nuclear weapons and national compensation for damage caused by the A-bombing.
Referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli military’s attack on the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, he condemned the move, saying, “The ‘nuclear taboo’ is being broken. I feel infinite regret and indignation.” He expressed a sense of impending crisis, noting that 4,000 nuclear warheads worldwide are ready to be launched at any time. He said, “I hope the next generation will innovate and advance the movement we have been carrying forward.” He also called for the promotion of a nuclear weapons ban treaty and the establishment of a treaty to abolish nuclear weapons.
Prior to the speeches, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), received a certificate, and Shigemitsu Tanaka, 84, chairperson of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council, received a medal on stage. The ceremony was attended by a delegation from Hidankyo, which comprises A-bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, second-generation A-bomb survivors, and their supporters. Also present were invited A-bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as high school student peace ambassadors.
Jorgen Watne Frydnes, 40, Chair of the Nobel Committee, delivered a speech. He paid tribute to the A-bomb survivors, saying, “You did not resign yourselves to victimhood. You refused to sit in silent terror. You stood tall and shared your unique personal testimony with the entire world. A light in the darkest night.” He also expressed his respect for those who had already passed away, saying, “The Norwegian Nobel Committee today honors all survivors who, despite physical suffering and painful memories, have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace.”
The prize money is 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately 150 million yen). Nihon Hidankyo intends to use it to support the A-bomb survivor movement.
(Originally published on December 11, 2024)
Oslo—The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony for the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), a nationwide organization of atomic bomb survivors, was held on December 10 at Oslo City Hall in Norway. Terumi Tanaka, 92, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo who was exposed to the atomic bombing in Nagasaki, delivered a speech. Reflecting on his experience of losing five relatives in the atomic bombing by the U.S. military and the 68-year history of Nihon Hidankyo, he said, “Let’s work together to seek a world of human society without nuclear weapons or war.”
Mr. Tanaka testified his aunt and other relatives died in ways that could not be described as humane. He said A-bomb survivors, despite enduring illness and prejudice, formed Nihon Hidankyo and have since advocated for the abolition of nuclear weapons and national compensation for damage caused by the A-bombing.
Referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli military’s attack on the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip, he condemned the move, saying, “The ‘nuclear taboo’ is being broken. I feel infinite regret and indignation.” He expressed a sense of impending crisis, noting that 4,000 nuclear warheads worldwide are ready to be launched at any time. He said, “I hope the next generation will innovate and advance the movement we have been carrying forward.” He also called for the promotion of a nuclear weapons ban treaty and the establishment of a treaty to abolish nuclear weapons.
Prior to the speeches, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), received a certificate, and Shigemitsu Tanaka, 84, chairperson of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council, received a medal on stage. The ceremony was attended by a delegation from Hidankyo, which comprises A-bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, second-generation A-bomb survivors, and their supporters. Also present were invited A-bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as high school student peace ambassadors.
Jorgen Watne Frydnes, 40, Chair of the Nobel Committee, delivered a speech. He paid tribute to the A-bomb survivors, saying, “You did not resign yourselves to victimhood. You refused to sit in silent terror. You stood tall and shared your unique personal testimony with the entire world. A light in the darkest night.” He also expressed his respect for those who had already passed away, saying, “The Norwegian Nobel Committee today honors all survivors who, despite physical suffering and painful memories, have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace.”
The prize money is 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately 150 million yen). Nihon Hidankyo intends to use it to support the A-bomb survivor movement.
(Originally published on December 11, 2024)
