Terumi Tanaka says, “My speech would be 50 points,” hoping young people work hard
Dec. 12, 2024
by Fumiyasu Miyano and Michio Shimotaka, Staff Writers
Oslo—After the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony for the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) held in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, participants and the atomic bomb survivors who visited the site celebrated the honor. They pledged to strengthen their efforts toward building a society free of nuclear weapons and war.
After the ceremony, a delegation from Nihon Hidankyo took commemorative photos with other A-bomb survivors who had come to Oslo, gathering in an open square near their accommodation. Terumi Tanaka, 92, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, who had delivered a speech, said with a smile, “I feel relieved of my burden.” He added, “If I were to give it a score, it would be 50 points. I’ve just conveyed a message. I hope young people will work hard.”
Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), who took the stage to receive a certificate, also said, “I feel relieved I was able to play an important role without any trouble.” Satoshi Tanaka, 80, a resident of Hiroshima’s Nishi Ward and a director of Hiroshima Hidankyo who took notes while watching the ceremony, emphasized, “I want to put the joy of winning the prize behind me and focus my efforts on the fight to eliminate nuclear weapons.”
Some members of the delegation attended a reception hosted by the Japanese embassy. Emiko Honma, 74, director of the second-generation A-bomb survivors and chair of an A-bomb survivors’ group in Shimane Prefecture, emphasized, “This award comes at a good time given the international situation, but we still have a lot to do.” She expressed her intention to hold a photo exhibition next year, the 80th anniversary of A-bombings, in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, where the chapter no longer exists.
During a torchlight parade held in Oslo on the night of December 10, Japanese and local participants shouted together, “No nuclear weapons.” Yoshie Kurihara, 77, a former staff member of Nihon Hidankyo, skipped the dinner party to join the parade, carrying face photos of her predecessors. Reflecting fondly on them, she said, “They are the people who started the movement of Nihon Nidankyo. I hope they can share in the joy of this ceremony.”
Tomine Aulie, 15, a junior high school student from Porsgrunn who participated in the parade, reflected on the A-bomb survivors and said, “They are very important people who stood up against great difficulties. I want to support their activities.”
(Originally published on December 12, 2024)
Oslo—After the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony for the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) held in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, participants and the atomic bomb survivors who visited the site celebrated the honor. They pledged to strengthen their efforts toward building a society free of nuclear weapons and war.
After the ceremony, a delegation from Nihon Hidankyo took commemorative photos with other A-bomb survivors who had come to Oslo, gathering in an open square near their accommodation. Terumi Tanaka, 92, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, who had delivered a speech, said with a smile, “I feel relieved of my burden.” He added, “If I were to give it a score, it would be 50 points. I’ve just conveyed a message. I hope young people will work hard.”
Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo), who took the stage to receive a certificate, also said, “I feel relieved I was able to play an important role without any trouble.” Satoshi Tanaka, 80, a resident of Hiroshima’s Nishi Ward and a director of Hiroshima Hidankyo who took notes while watching the ceremony, emphasized, “I want to put the joy of winning the prize behind me and focus my efforts on the fight to eliminate nuclear weapons.”
Some members of the delegation attended a reception hosted by the Japanese embassy. Emiko Honma, 74, director of the second-generation A-bomb survivors and chair of an A-bomb survivors’ group in Shimane Prefecture, emphasized, “This award comes at a good time given the international situation, but we still have a lot to do.” She expressed her intention to hold a photo exhibition next year, the 80th anniversary of A-bombings, in the western part of Shimane Prefecture, where the chapter no longer exists.
During a torchlight parade held in Oslo on the night of December 10, Japanese and local participants shouted together, “No nuclear weapons.” Yoshie Kurihara, 77, a former staff member of Nihon Hidankyo, skipped the dinner party to join the parade, carrying face photos of her predecessors. Reflecting fondly on them, she said, “They are the people who started the movement of Nihon Nidankyo. I hope they can share in the joy of this ceremony.”
Tomine Aulie, 15, a junior high school student from Porsgrunn who participated in the parade, reflected on the A-bomb survivors and said, “They are very important people who stood up against great difficulties. I want to support their activities.”
(Originally published on December 12, 2024)
