Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group advocating for survivors of atomic bombings, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its dedication to achieving a world free from nuclear weapons. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the group’s role in highlighting the devastation caused by nuclear weapons and the importance of preventing their future use. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the committee, announced the award on Friday at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, praising the group’s ability to convey through survivor testimonies that nuclear weapons must never be used again.
In his speech, Frydnes reflected on the upcoming 80th anniversary of the U.S. dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 120,000 people. The committee emphasized that the prize was meant to honor all atomic bomb survivors—referred to as Hibakusha—from both cities. Despite enduring physical suffering and painful memories, the survivors have chosen to use their experiences as a platform to foster hope and engage in global peace efforts.
Tomoyuki Mimaki, the co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo and a Hiroshima bombing survivor, expressed disbelief and joy upon hearing the news while standing by at Hiroshima City Hall. Mimaki highlighted that winning the Nobel Peace Prize would greatly amplify the group’s efforts to demonstrate that the abolition of nuclear weapons is possible. He said the award would act as a significant force to appeal to the world for the necessity of eliminating nuclear weapons.
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The Nobel Committee praised the survivors for helping the world comprehend the unimaginable pain and suffering caused by nuclear weapons. Frydnes described the survivors as helping to articulate the indescribable and think through the unthinkable consequences of nuclear warfare. Survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, known as Hibakusha, have been at the forefront of global nuclear disarmament efforts for decades, speaking out against the horrors they experienced.
Hiroshima’s mayor, Kazumi Matsui, pointed out that Hibakusha are aging, and there are fewer survivors left to testify about the senselessness of nuclear bombs and their inherent evil. Matsui stressed the importance of continuing their message, especially as those with firsthand experiences become increasingly scarce. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres echoed this sentiment, praising the resilience of the Hibakusha and recognizing their critical role as the backbone of the global movement for nuclear disarmament.
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo at a time when nuclear-armed nations are modernizing and expanding their arsenals. New countries are also moving toward acquiring nuclear capabilities, and there are increasing threats to use such weapons in ongoing conflicts. Frydnes praised Nihon Hidankyo’s contributions to establishing a global norm against the use of nuclear weapons, but he also warned that the recent threats of using these weapons are weakening this critical norm. He refrained from naming specific countries but emphasized that such threats are a serious danger to global peace.
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Mimaki further elaborated on the fallacy that nuclear weapons can maintain global peace. He argued that the notion that nuclear weapons are necessary to preserve peace is misleading and dangerous. In his view, nuclear weapons could easily fall into the hands of terrorists, further destabilizing the world. He warned that if nuclear weapons are used in conflicts like Russia’s war against Ukraine or Israel’s conflict with Gaza, the violence won’t stop there. Mimaki urged global politicians to recognize the dangers of relying on nuclear weapons as a means of maintaining peace.
Frydnes underscored the catastrophic potential of nuclear warfare, saying that nuclear war could destroy human civilization. He pointed out that today’s nuclear weapons are far more destructive than those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Such weapons, he said, have the capacity to kill millions and cause widespread environmental damage that would impact the climate in devastating ways.
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the United Nations Human Rights Office, emphasized that the award reflects the importance of grassroots organizations like Nihon Hidankyo. She praised the survivors for their tireless efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons, often working with limited resources and facing numerous obstacles. She noted that the award highlights the crucial role that survivors of horrific events play in advocating for justice and global change, even when their work is not in the public spotlight.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba welcomed Nihon Hidankyo’s Nobel Peace Prize win, calling it an important recognition of the group’s efforts to abolish nuclear weapons. Ishiba noted that the prize sends a strong message about the need to continue working toward a nuclear-free world. He emphasized that it is especially significant at a time when global tensions around nuclear weapons are high.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also praised the awarding of the prize to Nihon Hidankyo, saying it sends a powerful message to the world. She remarked that the specter of Hiroshima and Nagasaki still looms large over humanity, making the advocacy of Nihon Hidankyo all the more critical. Von der Leyen stated that the Nobel Peace Prize is a reminder of the responsibility to remember the horrors of nuclear warfare and to protect future generations from experiencing the same.
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Nihon Hidankyo’s win comes at a time when nuclear weapons are a major topic of international concern. The organization’s decades-long advocacy for nuclear disarmament has helped to elevate the voices of survivors and maintain global attention on the consequences of nuclear warfare. The survivors have been persistent in their efforts to demonstrate the absolute devastation caused by atomic bombs and the need for the world to work together to eliminate these weapons of mass destruction.
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize is the latest in a series of global acknowledgments of the work of nuclear disarmament advocates. Last year, the prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi, a jailed Iranian women’s rights activist who has been at the forefront of the struggle against the oppression of women in Iran and for social reform. The Nobel Peace Prize remains the only Nobel Prize awarded in the Norwegian capital, while the others are presented in Stockholm, Sweden.
In total, 286 candidates were nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, including 197 individuals and 89 organizations. While the Norwegian Nobel Committee keeps the names of nominees secret for 50 years, those eligible to nominate can reveal their selections. The prize includes a cash award of 11 million Swedish krona (about $1.1 million), which comes from the bequest of Alfred Nobel, the award’s creator. In addition to the cash prize, the winners will receive a Nobel medal at a ceremony scheduled for December 10.
