In brief
A Japanese group, Nihon Hidankyo, representing atomic bomb survivors, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts in sharing firsthand accounts of nuclear devastation.
In the summer of 1945, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki claimed the lives of approximately 200,000 people. The survivors, known as “hibakusha,” witnessed not only immense physical destruction but also endured long-lasting emotional and physical scars. Following the war, Japan recognized approximately 650,000 of these bomb-affected individuals. However, today, only about 114,000 of them remain alive, most of whom are in their 80s. Nihon Hidankyo, the grassroots organization representing these survivors, was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for chronicling such experiences.Founded 11 years after World War II, Nihon Hidankyo remains the solitary nationwide organization advocating for hibakusha. It has a presence in all of Japan’s 47 prefectures, providing a platform for these survivors to voice their stories globally and educate others on the horrors of nuclear warfare. The ethos of the group, as expressed in its 1956 founding statement, is that humanity must "never again inflict nor suffer" the sacrifices and torments experienced by the survivors of atomic bombings.Despite its foundation in the aftermath of World War II, the organization's passionate efforts and global outreach have made it a significant force against nuclear warfare. At the 2005 Peace Prize ceremony, where the International Atomic Energy Agency was recognized, the Nobel committee also acknowledged Nihon Hidankyo and its efforts in the continuous global battle against nuclear threats. Through the voices of hibakusha, Nihon Hidankyo continues to shape global consciousness, giving prominence to those who have recounted their stories of irreversible loss.
