Nobel Peace Prize 2024: Nihon Hidankyo’s Call for Global Nuclear Disarmament

On December 10, 2024, three survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, an organization founded by atomic bomb survivors to campaign for the abolition of nuclear weapons. This marks a significant moment for nuclear disarmament as the elderly survivors, who have lived through the horror of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, pass on their urgent plea for a world free of nuclear arms. Terumi Tanaka, a 92-year-old survivor from Nagasaki, accepted the prestigious award with a stark warning about the current state of nuclear weapons.

The Rising Threat of Nuclear Weapons: A Call for Immediate Action
Tanaka’s speech highlighted the immense danger posed by the modern stockpile of nuclear weapons. “Imagine this: there are 4,000 nuclear warheads that could be launched immediately. The devastation caused in Hiroshima and Nagasaki could be multiplied by hundreds or even thousands,” Tanaka said, calling for a global effort to eliminate nuclear weapons and prevent future wars. His words resonate deeply with the fears of the atomic bomb survivors, many of whom are witnessing the weakening of the nuclear taboo they worked so hard to establish.

This growing concern is fueled by current global tensions. Tanaka pointed to the Russian threat of nuclear escalation in the ongoing war in Ukraine, and even remarked on recent comments from a cabinet member of Israel, who alluded to the possibility of using nuclear arms in the Gaza conflict. The very fabric of the nuclear taboo—the idea that no nation would ever again use these weapons of mass destruction—is now at risk. “I am infinitely saddened and angered that the nuclear taboo threatens to be broken,” Tanaka said, reflecting the broader global concern over the instability and increased likelihood of nuclear conflict.

The Global Nuclear Arms Race: The Role of the Five Nuclear Powers
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, in awarding the Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, underscored the urgency of these concerns. Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the committee chair, highlighted the troubling reality that no nuclear-armed country is currently committed to reducing its arsenal. Instead, the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and other nuclear powers are modernizing their weapons systems, an action that undermines the goal of global nuclear disarmament.

The Nobel Committee’s remarks reflect the ongoing stagnation in nuclear arms control. The nine nuclear-armed nations—U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K., India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea—are not taking steps to fulfill their obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). On the contrary, these countries are expanding their nuclear arsenals, despite repeated calls for disarmament. The Nobel Committee urged these nations to return to meaningful dialogue on arms reduction and to honor their commitments to the NPT.

The Role of Nihon Hidankyo: Keeping the Memory Alive
As the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki grow older, their efforts to keep the memory of nuclear devastation alive are becoming even more critical. Nihon Hidankyo, which has been a leading force in nuclear disarmament for nearly 70 years, is concerned that without the voices of the survivors, the global fight for a nuclear-free world will lose its most powerful advocates. Tanaka’s acceptance of the Peace Prize also represents the final plea of many survivors who fear that future generations will forget the horrors of nuclear war.

The Nobel Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo serves as a reminder that the fight against nuclear weapons is not just a historical issue but an urgent modern-day concern. The survivors’ testimony stands as a stark reminder of the catastrophic impact of nuclear war and the pressing need for global efforts to prevent it.

A Global Call for Nuclear Disarmament: The Next Steps
The Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision to honor Nihon Hidankyo reinforces the importance of continuing the work for nuclear disarmament. As the committee pointed out, the current nuclear powers must demonstrate serious commitment to arms reduction, while nations that have yet to ratify the NPT must do so. The global community must act now to prevent the further proliferation of nuclear weapons and ensure that the horrors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are never repeated.