2024 Nobel peace prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, Japanese organisation

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization composed of survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This recognition honors their relentless advocacy for a nuclear-free world and their efforts to raise awareness about the devastating humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.

Established in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo is the largest organization representing atomic bomb survivors in Japan. The group has played a vital role in promoting the global “nuclear taboo,” which regards the use of nuclear arms as morally unacceptable. Through personal testimonies, the Hibakusha—survivors of the 1945 bombings—have illustrated the profound suffering caused by nuclear warfare, thereby fostering a stronger opposition to nuclear weapons on an international scale.

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, highlighted that the award is particularly significant given the increasing threats posed by nuclear weapons today. Tensions involving nations such as North Korea and Russia, which have made repeated threats to use nuclear arms, underscore the urgent need for continued advocacy against their proliferation. The committee pointed out that as the global landscape changes, the taboo surrounding nuclear weapons is increasingly under pressure.

The award also serves as a poignant reminder of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, which resulted in an estimated 120,000 immediate deaths and countless others suffering from long-term effects. Nihon Hidankyo's efforts to share these stories through public appeals and annual delegations to the United Nations have been instrumental in advancing the cause of nuclear disarmament.

In a world rife with conflict, including ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, this recognition of Nihon Hidankyo emphasizes the necessity of peace and disarmament. The Nobel Committee noted, “At this moment in human history, it is worth reminding ourselves what nuclear weapons are: the most destructive weapons the world has ever seen.” The committee's award to Nihon Hidankyo is a tribute to the survivors' courage and their commitment to cultivating hope and engagement for peace.