In brief
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivors, or hibakusha, who have dedicated their lives to sharing the harrowing impact of nuclear warfare.
In the devastating summer of 1945, atomic bombs dropped by the U.S. decimated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing around 200,000 people. However, many survived these attacks, enduring severe injuries and psychological trauma. These people, termed "hibakusha" or "bomb-affected people," have been pivotal in raising awareness about nuclear warfare's dire consequences. Nihon Hidankyo, established 11 years post-World War II, represents these survivors, now numbering around 114,000, who have continuously faced the fallout of radiation exposure and societal stigma.Nihon Hidankyo is Japan's only nationwide organization encompassing all 47 prefectures. Since its inception, it has worked tirelessly, sending hibakusha across the globe to share firsthand accounts of life post-nuclear warfare. Their efforts have not only garnered international support but have emphasized, "Humanity must never again inflict nor suffer the sacrifice and torture we have experienced," as per their 1956 founding declaration.The Nobel Peace Prize committee, while acknowledging the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2005, also recognized Nihon Hidankyo and the hibakusha’s relentless campaign against nuclear warfare, underscoring the organization's indispensable role in advocating for global peace and the elimination of nuclear arms.
