Oslo: Nihon Hidankyo, the organization representing survivors of the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 for its long-running campaign against nuclear weapons. The Nobel Committee said the world has long been at risk of the use of nuclear weapons, particularly because of Russia's war in Ukraine and the ongoing violent conflict in the Middle East Asia.
Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Jorgen Wetten Friednes said the work of Nihon Hidankyo, which honors nuclear attack survivors who have endured intense suffering, is a ray of hope. Tomoyuki Mimaki, president of Hidankyo's Hiroshima branch, expressed an emotional reaction to the news, underscoring the importance of this recognition.
The award has been announced amid rising global tensions over the Ukraine war and Middle East violence. The Committee said that maintaining strong international norms against nuclear weapons is essential for the survival of life on Earth.
The Peace Prize continues the tradition of recognizing work against nuclear weapons, as have previous awards such as the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.
European Commission President Ursula Vander Leyen praised Nihon Hidankyo's advocacy, saying that commemorating the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki should promote efforts to avoid future nuclear attacks.
In particular, the Nobel Peace Prize remains a powerful symbol of the international community's commitment to promoting peace and reducing the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons.