- Awarded to: Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo.
- Reason: For its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.
- Members: Survivors of the 1945 atom bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, known as Hibakusha or “bomb-affected people.
The Importance of Nihon Hidankyo
- Formation: Founded on August 10, 1956, it is the only national organization for survivors of the atomic bombings.
- Objectives:
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- Advocate for the welfare of Hibakusha.
- Eliminate nuclear weapons.
- Secure compensation for the victims of atomic bombings.
- Key Efforts: Sharing testimonies of Hibakusha globally, documenting the aftermath of atomic bombings, and advocating at the United Nations.
The Role of Hibakusha in Nuclear Disarmament
- Global Movement: Hibakusha have been integral in raising awareness about the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.
- Testimonies: Their experiences helped establish the nuclear taboo—the idea that nuclear weapons should not be used again.
- Impact: Their advocacy helped ensure that no nuclear weapons have been used since 1945, despite the development and stockpiling of new and improved nuclear arms by global powers.
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize’s Broader Significance
- Nuclear Taboo Under Pressure: The Nobel Committee emphasized the importance of protecting the nuclear taboo, which is now under threat as new countries seek nuclear weapons and existing nuclear powers upgrade their arsenals.
- Current Nuclear Landscape: Despite reduced stockpiles, countries like the U.S. and Russia still possess thousands of nuclear weapons, and the U.S. plans to spend over $1 trillion on nuclear capabilities by the 2040s.
Previous Nobel Prizes for Disarmament
- 1974: Former Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato was awarded the Nobel for Japan’s policy of not acquiring nuclear weapons.
- 2017: The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which has worked closely with Nihon Hidankyo in documenting the impacts of nuclear weapons.
These awards reflect Alfred Nobel’s vision of promoting peace and reducing standing armies as part of his legacy.
