Hibakusha's Legacy: Nobel Peace Prize Honors Japanese Survivors' Campaign Against Nuclear Arms

Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization representing atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, won the Nobel Peace Prize. The grassroots movement has advocated against nuclear arms using survivor testimonies and educational campaigns for decades, significantly impacting global nuclear disarmament efforts while cultivating a culture of remembrance.

Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organization comprised of atomic bomb survivors known as Hibakusha, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this Friday. The movement, originating from survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, has long been an advocate for nuclear disarmament.

In 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, aiming to swiftly end World War Two. These attacks resulted in the deaths of an estimated 120,000 individuals in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with many others suffering long-term effects from burns and radiation. Initially obscured and neglected, Hibakusha formed the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations in 1956, which later became Nihon Hidankyo.

For years, Nihon Hidankyo has documented survivor testimonies, issued public appeals, and engaged with international bodies to push for nuclear disarmament. Their dedicated efforts and educational campaigns have shaped global opposition to nuclear weapons and fostered a culture of remembrance, empowering younger generations to continue their mission.

(With inputs from agencies.)