By Palestine Chronicle Staff 
“The images of the children in Gaza covered with blood held by their parents remind me of Japan 80 years ago.”
A Japanese anti-nuclear weapons movement, represented by the co-chair Toshiyuki Miyamaki, expressed surprise at winning the Nobel Peace Prize, feeling that peace activists in Gaza deserved the honor more.
The grassroots movement comprised of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, known as Hibakusha, was awarded for their efforts towards achieving a nuclear-free world and highlighting the devastating impact of nuclear weapons.
Miyamaki emotionally recalled the horrifying scenes from Gaza, drawing parallels to Japan’s past tragedies, and emphasized the importance of preventing nuclear catastrophes.
The recognition of Nihon Hidankyo by the Nobel Foundation underlines the significance of maintaining the nuclear taboo and the urgent need to prevent the use of nuclear weapons in a world facing escalating tensions.
In light of recent calls by Israeli officials to strike Iranian nuclear sites, the focus on peace and disarmament becomes more crucial than ever.