Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Japanese Anti-Nuclear Group Nihon Hidankyo

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The group was recognized for its decades-long fight against nuclear weapons and its efforts to raise awareness of the catastrophic impact of nuclear warfare.

Announcing the award, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, stated that the recognition comes at a time when the “taboo against the use of nuclear weapons is under pressure.” The committee highlighted the importance of Nihon Hidankyo’s work, particularly as global nuclear tensions escalate.

The decision comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin revised Russia’s nuclear policy, signaling a potential reduction in the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons in response to Ukraine’s military actions. This shift has increased concerns about nuclear conflict.

By honoring Nihon Hidankyo, the Nobel Committee acknowledged the resilience of atomic bomb survivors who, despite enduring unimaginable suffering, continue to campaign for peace and nuclear disarmament. The group’s activism, the committee said, serves as a vital reminder of the horrors of nuclear war and the need for global efforts to prevent it.