Nihon Hidankyo is a grass-roots movement of survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The group’s efforts have helped establish a “nuclear taboo,” the Nobel committee said.The New York Times reports that on Friday, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization dedicated to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons. The group, which represents survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, has been recognized for their efforts to raise awareness of the human consequences of nuclear warfare.

The Nobel committee praised the hibakusha, as the survivors are known, for their bravery in sharing their testimonies and helping to establish a “nuclear taboo” that has prevented the use of nuclear weapons in war for the past 80 years. However, with the recent threats from Russia and concerns about the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, the committee expressed alarm at the fading of this taboo.

Jorgen Watne Frydnes, the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, stated that the award was also meant to honor all survivors who have used their painful experiences to cultivate hope. The Peace Prize, considered one of the most prestigious honors in the world, has been given to notable figures such as Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and President Barack Obama in the past.

In 2023, the prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi, an imprisoned Iranian human rights activist. This year, the committee received 286 candidates, including 197 individuals and 89 organizations, before ultimately selecting Nihon Hidankyo as the recipient.

The Nobel Peace Prize, first awarded in 1901, has also been given to 30 organizations, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross. In 2020, the World Food Program, a U.N. agency, received the award.

As the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of nuclear weapons, the recognition of Nihon Hidankyo serves as a reminder of the importance of working towards a world free of these destructive weapons. 

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