**Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Japanese Anti-Nuclear Organization**
The esteemed Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization comprised of survivors from the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. This honor recognizes their significant efforts to promote a nuclear weapon-free world. Announcing the award on October 11, 2024, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, commended the group for its unwavering advocacy and powerful testimonies highlighting the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons.
Frydnes expressed concern that the “veto on the use of nuclear weapons,” established in the aftermath of the devastating bombings in August 1945, is currently being challenged. “This year’s prize emphasizes the urgent need to uphold this nuclear ban, with a collective responsibility resting heavily on nuclear powers,” he stated to the press.
As the 80th anniversary of the bombings, which killed approximately 120,000 people instantly, approaches in 2025, the reminders of the long-term effects continue with many more succumbing to burns and radiation injuries afterwards. Toshiyuki Mimaki, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo, conveyed surprise and gratitude upon learning of the accolade. “I never imagined this would happen,” he remarked during a press briefing in Tokyo.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba deemed the recognition for Nihon Hidankyo “highly significant.” Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, described the award as a “powerful message.” “The specter of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remains a dire warning to humanity, underscoring the indispensable work of Nihon Hidankyo,” she commented on social media.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the abolition of nuclear weapons, labeling them “instruments of death,” while Hiroshima’s Mayor Kazumi Matsui referred to them as “the ultimate evil.” Frydnes warned of the exponentially greater destructive power of modern nuclear weapons, cautioning that “a nuclear war could obliterate our civilization.”
The award will be formally presented in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, aligning with the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the prize’s founder. Nobel stipulated that the Peace Prize should be bestowed upon those contributing to fraternity among nations, disarmament, or organizing and promoting peace congresses. Unlike other Nobel categories announced in Stockholm, the Peace Prize ceremony occurs in Oslo and involves a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award exceeding one million dollars.
**Secondary Article: Global Response to Nihon Hidankyo’s Nobel Recognition**
The announcement of Nihon Hidankyo’s Nobel Peace Prize win has reverberated globally, sparking a renewed discourse on nuclear disarmament. Key political figures and organizations worldwide have lent their voices in support. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol hailed the award as a “timely reminder of the shared global responsibility to pursue peace.” Similarly, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), itself a Nobel laureate, praised Nihon Hidankyo for exemplifying the resilience and moral authority of nuclear survivors.
Nuclear disarmament has garnered increased international attention amid rising geopolitical tensions. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize is perceived by many as a call to action, urging nuclear states to recommit to reduction treaties and explore diplomatic avenues for de-escalation. Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde noted, “This acknowledgment emphasizes the global duty to move towards a safer, nuclear-free future.”
As the world grapples with the complexities of nuclear politics, Nihon Hidankyo’s recognition has sparked hope and sparked renewed determination within advocacy groups and governments, striving to prevent the repetition of past tragedies and foster a peaceful global community.