Nobel Peace Laureate Nihon Hidankyo and Norwegian Prime Minister determine to press nuclear weapons states into nuclear disarmament: Those involved march in Oslo
Dec. 12, 2024
by Fumiyasu Miyano, Staff Writer
Oslo, Norway – On December 11, three co-chairpersons of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), winners of this year’s Novel Peace Prize, met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the Prime Minister’s Office in Oslo, Norway. At a joint press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Støre promised to “put pressure on the nuclear powers to join in nuclear disarmament.” Terumi Tanaka, 92, expressed his appreciation by saying that the prime minister’s determination toward the abolition of nuclear weapons has become a source of strong encouragement.
During a closed-door meeting, they reportedly exchanged views on the Japanese government’s nuclear policy, security that does not rely on nuclear weapons, and the roles of young people, together with Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo) and Shigemitsu Tanaka, 84, chairperson of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council.
At a press conference, Mr. Terumi Tanaka expressed his gratitude by saying, “We have received such a warm welcome by the entire Norwegian nation. I am so happy that it brings tears to my eyes.” He also stated that he felt Prime Minister Støre’s strong will toward the abolition of nuclear weapons. Mr. Tanaka was pleased that, although Norway is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or a nuclear alliance, it has participated as an observer in the meeting of State Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and that the Prime Minister clearly stated in front of the Hidankyo representatives that he would like to break new ground toward creating a world without nuclear weapons.
Prime Minister Støre revealed that he has been engaged in political movements towards the abolition of nuclear weapons, and said that the extraordinary efforts of A-bomb survivors who continue to offer their testimonies had made him aware of the dangers of nuclear weapons from early on.
A delegation of 30 Hidankyo members attended the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony held at Oslo City Hall on December 10. On that night, a traditional torchlight procession was held in honor of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates, with about 1,000 people, including participants from Japan and Norwegian citizens, walking 800 meters along the road to the hotel. In front of the hotel at the end of the procession, the participants shouted, “No more Hiroshimas” and “No more wars” in unison, and the three Hidankyo representatives responded by waving back to them from the balcony.
Kunihiko Sakuma, 80, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, who participated in the procession, said, “I felt my strength emerge just like a burning flame. What we do from hereon is very important. I want to join forces with others,” and has renewed his determination toward the abolition of nuclear weapons.
(Originally published on December 12, 2024)
Oslo, Norway – On December 11, three co-chairpersons of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), winners of this year’s Novel Peace Prize, met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at the Prime Minister’s Office in Oslo, Norway. At a joint press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Støre promised to “put pressure on the nuclear powers to join in nuclear disarmament.” Terumi Tanaka, 92, expressed his appreciation by saying that the prime minister’s determination toward the abolition of nuclear weapons has become a source of strong encouragement.
During a closed-door meeting, they reportedly exchanged views on the Japanese government’s nuclear policy, security that does not rely on nuclear weapons, and the roles of young people, together with Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, chair of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo) and Shigemitsu Tanaka, 84, chairperson of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors Council.
At a press conference, Mr. Terumi Tanaka expressed his gratitude by saying, “We have received such a warm welcome by the entire Norwegian nation. I am so happy that it brings tears to my eyes.” He also stated that he felt Prime Minister Støre’s strong will toward the abolition of nuclear weapons. Mr. Tanaka was pleased that, although Norway is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or a nuclear alliance, it has participated as an observer in the meeting of State Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and that the Prime Minister clearly stated in front of the Hidankyo representatives that he would like to break new ground toward creating a world without nuclear weapons.
Prime Minister Støre revealed that he has been engaged in political movements towards the abolition of nuclear weapons, and said that the extraordinary efforts of A-bomb survivors who continue to offer their testimonies had made him aware of the dangers of nuclear weapons from early on.
A delegation of 30 Hidankyo members attended the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony held at Oslo City Hall on December 10. On that night, a traditional torchlight procession was held in honor of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates, with about 1,000 people, including participants from Japan and Norwegian citizens, walking 800 meters along the road to the hotel. In front of the hotel at the end of the procession, the participants shouted, “No more Hiroshimas” and “No more wars” in unison, and the three Hidankyo representatives responded by waving back to them from the balcony.
Kunihiko Sakuma, 80, chair of the other Hiroshima Hidankyo, who participated in the procession, said, “I felt my strength emerge just like a burning flame. What we do from hereon is very important. I want to join forces with others,” and has renewed his determination toward the abolition of nuclear weapons.
(Originally published on December 12, 2024)
