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During the acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the anti-nuclear weapons group Nihon Hidankyo, 92-year-old survivor Terumi Tanaka described the horrors witnessed during the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The group, made up of hibakusha, has been advocating for the global elimination of nuclear weapons for nearly 70 years. The use of nuclear weapons in Japan during World War II resulted in the deaths of thousands, with long-term effects continuing to impact survivors in the following decades.
Tanaka expressed concern over the current presence of nuclear weapons worldwide, and called out countries like Russia and Israel for their recent discussions around possible use of these weapons. The expansion and modernization of nuclear arsenals by various nations, as well as the failure of nuclear powers to pursue disarmament, was highlighted as a troubling trend. The urgency of the hibakusha’s mission was emphasized, with a call for more countries to ratify the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
At 13 years old, Tanaka survived the bombing of Nagasaki and witnessed the devastating aftermath firsthand. He shared the heartbreaking stories of loss and suffering experienced by his own family members in the wake of the bombings. He emphasized the need for continued advocacy to ensure nuclear weapons are never used again, and called for a global shift in the perception of these weapons. Tanaka expressed hope that future generations would continue the fight for a world free of nuclear weapons.
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