2024 Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Japan’s Aom Bomb Survivors’ Group Nihon Hidankyo

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organisation representing survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

The group was honoured by the Nobel Committee for its work in advocating for a nuclear-free world and for its powerful witness testimony on the horrors of nuclear warfare.

“In awarding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour all survivors who, despite physical suffering and painful memories, have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace,” the Committee said.

Formed in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo is the largest and most influential organisation of atomic bomb survivors in Japan. Its mission has been to raise global awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. They share their personal stories of the devastation they experienced in August 1945 to create awareness against the nuclear holocaust threat due to wars.

The Nobel Committee praised Nihon Hidankyo and said, “The Hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable.” the Committee said in its announcement.

Despite nearly 80 years passing since the bombings, nuclear weapons continue to pose a global threat. The prize is also a stark reminder of the growing threats to global peace. The committee noted that nuclear arsenals are being modernised, and the norm against their use is under pressure as new threats emerge.