The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded on Friday to the Japanese anti-nuclear organization Nihon Hidankyo, which comprises survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
“This grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, also known as Hibakusha, is receiving the Peace Prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said in their announcement.
The co-chair of the Japanese anti-nuclear group expressed surprise at being recognized for showcasing, through personal accounts, that nuclear weapons must never be utilized again.
“I never imagined this could happen,” said Toshiyuki Mimaki to reporters. His movement represents the radiation-affected survivors of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba promptly praised the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, which was founded on August 10, 1956, marking 68 years since its establishment.
“The fact that the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to this organization, which has dedicated many years to advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons, is extremely significant,” he told the press.
