The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a prominent Japanese organization representing survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored the group for its tireless advocacy for a nuclear-free world and its impactful witness testimony on the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare.
Formed in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo has long been the largest and most influential organization of atomic bomb survivors, known as “Hibakusha,” in Japan. For decades, the group has worked to raise global awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons. By sharing their deeply personal experiences from the bombings of August 1945, the Hibakusha have played a critical role in shaping international opposition to nuclear arms and helping establish the “nuclear taboo”—the moral condemnation of using such weapons.
The Nobel Committee praised Nihon Hidankyo for its unwavering dedication to this cause, emphasizing that the survivors’ firsthand testimonies provide a unique insight into the incomprehensible suffering caused by nuclear weapons. “The Hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable,” the Committee stated during the announcement.
The prize also serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing threats posed by nuclear arsenals, despite nearly 80 years having passed since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With global tensions rising, the committee pointed out that nuclear weapons remain a significant danger, as countries continue modernizing their arsenals.
Recent conflicts have underscored the fragility of global peace. The war in Ukraine, now in its third year following Russia’s invasion, and escalating violence in Gaza since October 2023 have claimed tens of thousands of lives. Additionally, Sudan has been embroiled in a deadly 17-month war that has displaced millions. Against this backdrop, the award to Nihon Hidankyo highlights the urgent need to prevent further nuclear devastation and renew efforts toward peace.
The recognition of Nihon Hidankyo and the Hibakusha serves not only as an acknowledgment of their suffering but as a call to action for the world to confront the enduring threat of nuclear warfare.