Nihon Hidankyo Awarded 2024 Nobel Peace Prize

Nihon Hidankyo, representing Japanese atomic bomb survivors, has been honored with the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its dedication to abolishing nuclear weapons.

Nihon Hidankyo, a group comprising survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their relentless efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons worldwide. Their recognition by the Norwegian Nobel Committee underscores their significant role in solidifying the "nuclear taboo" and their ongoing mission to prevent the use of such weapons in the future. Co-chair Toshiyuki Mimaki expressed emotional gratitude, emphasizing that nuclear weapons should never be equated with peace, given their catastrophic potential. Founded in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo employs witness testimony to highlight the profound devastation caused by nuclear arms, a mission initiated nearly a decade post the bombings. The Nobel recognition also shifts focus to global nuclear threats amid ongoing conflicts, notably the potential for nuclear use in Ukraine and tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The Peace Prize, with 286 nominations this year, reflects the urgent dialogue needed regarding nuclear disarmament, against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions.