Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) co-chair Toshiyuki Mimaki, who survived the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, attends a news conference after the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner was announced in Hiroshima, Japan, on October 11, 2024. [Kyodo/via Reuters]
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, an organization founded by survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to advocate for nuclear disarmament. Hibakusha, as the survivors are known, have been pivotal in spreading awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and promoting global activism against them.
Since its establishment in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo has been instrumental in supporting initiatives such as the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and challenging Japan’s stance on nuclear armament. The organization’s efforts have drawn attention to the urgent need for nuclear disarmament, particularly in a world where nuclear threats are increasingly prevalent.
With the voices of hibakusha serving as powerful reminders of the horrors of nuclear warfare, Nihon Hidankyo’s recognition with the Nobel Peace Prize highlights the ongoing importance of their advocacy in fostering a world free from the threat of nuclear devastation. It is a timely reminder of the critical role that survivors play in shaping global conversations on peace and disarmament.
To delve deeper into the history of anti-nuclear activism and hear firsthand testimonies from hibakusha, don’t miss the opportunity to join the free online course “Banning the Bomb: A global history of activism against nuclear weapons,” created by the Open University and ICAN.