2024 Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Nihon Hidankyo

The Nobel Committee has announced that the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations. This group, known for its advocacy for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons, receives the honor just one year before the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

Nihon Hidankyo’s efforts have focused on raising awareness about the devastating effects of nuclear weapons and pushing for global nuclear disarmament. The Nobel Committee recognized the organization “for its relentless pursuit of a world free from nuclear weapons” and its use of survivor testimony to highlight the irreversible damage caused by these weapons.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee noted that the personal accounts of hibakusha—survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings by the United States—have played a critical role in building worldwide opposition to nuclear arms. Through their firsthand experiences, hibakusha have helped shape educational campaigns and issued urgent warnings about the dangers of nuclear proliferation.

This year’s award comes at a time of heightened global concern over nuclear threats amidst ongoing international conflicts, underscoring the continued relevance of Nihon Hidankyo’s mission. The Nobel Prize honors their unwavering commitment to peace and their efforts to ensure that the horrors of nuclear war are never repeated.