From Japan to the world: Nihon Hidankyo’s Nobel Peace Prize and the quest to end nuclear arms

Hamazume Jiro, Deputy Secretary General of Nihon Hidankyo, speaks on the Nobel Prize’s significance for the Hibakusha community. In an exclusive interview with Kazinform News Agency, he describes the recognition as a pivotal point in the movement’s history, affirming Hibakusha demands for nuclear disarmament and global cooperation to ensure peace.

Nihon Hidankyo has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. What does this recognition mean for the Hibakusha and the broader disarmament movement?

The announcement that the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to the Japan Atomic Bomb Victims Union was a moment of recognition by the world community of the movement that is fighting for the elimination of atomic bomb victims. This movement actively advocates for the prevention of nuclear war and the elimination of nuclear weapons. In 1977, at the International Symposium on Atomic Bomb Victims, the word "HIBAKUSHA" became an international term, and now, again, "NIHON HIDANKYO" has become an international term. This is the moment when the movement of atomic bomb victims was officially recognized in human history. We hope that interest in the elimination of nuclear weapons will increase and various initiatives will move forward.

What are some of the key challenges Nihon Hidankyo has faced in maintaining awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons in the modern era?

Nuclear powers continue to modernize and improve nuclear weapons, justifying this with the policy of "nuclear deterrence". This was also emphasized at the G7 summit in 2023, but it is completely unacceptable for the victims of the atomic bombs. The same applies to the issue of "nuclear separation."

In 1980, in response to the recommendations of a private advisory body of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which stated that even if people suffered from war, it should be perceived as a "common sacrifice" that should be accepted by all citizens, the victims of the atomic bombs were outraged. We revised our theory and started a movement with two main demands: the elimination of nuclear weapons and national compensation for the victims of the atomic bombs.

Unfortunately, today nuclear weapons are still an element of political blackmail in the relations between individual countries. Does your organization work with political institutions? If so, what specific steps are being taken in this direction?

We have approached the Japanese government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. We also ask for the participation of member countries in the meetings as observers, and we are taking measures to support elderly victims and the second generation of victims through the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Meetings with the minister are held once a year, but our demands have not been responded to.

How do you work with the victims of nuclear tests? What work do you do with the younger generation of Japanese who, fortunately, have already experienced a different, less militarized world?

There is currently an ongoing lawsuit regarding the aftermath of the hydrogen tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll involving fishermen who suffered from the tests. We support these lawsuits. Japanese youth are working in the Secretariat of the Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons in Japan (a government organization) and are organizing an international civil forum to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing (February 8-9, 2025). There are also meetings with members of parliament, research, and online publication of testimonies from victims. In addition, students are conducting projects on post-war history based on materials left by the victims' union.

In your opinion, is it possible to achieve a nuclear-free world? What would be the most significant steps that world leaders could take to ensure that goal?

The Japan Atomic Bomb Victims' Union has repeatedly stated that concrete actions to prevent further atomic bomb casualties should include the elimination of nuclear weapons and national compensation for atomic bomb victims. World leaders should realize that atomic bombs continue to have a devastating effect on the bodies, lives, and souls of the victims to this day. An atomic bomb is a weapon that does not allow people to die or live as human beings. Nuclear weapons are an absolute evil that cannot be considered humane, and the only way to eliminate the threat of nuclear war is to completely eliminate nuclear weapons. (These conclusions were made based on the union's study of victims.)

As the number of Hibakusha dwindles, how can we ensure that their stories and experiences are preserved for future generations?

It is necessary to pass on the experience of surviving atomic bombs from victims to children and young people, and to preserve the memories of the victims in the form of written testimonies that can be read and passed on to future generations as "memory." The Nomor Hibakusha Heritage of Memory is creating an online museum featuring exhibitions held at the UN and notes from victims. Brochures such as “What We, the Victims, Want to Tell You Now” and “Basic Demands of Atomic Bomb Victims” are also being distributed.

Next year will mark 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How is Nihon Hidankyo preparing to commemorate this milestone, and what message do you hope to send to the world?

There are still 12,000 nuclear warheads in the world, of which 4,000 can be immediately put on alert. Despite the efforts of atomic bomb survivors who predicted this danger 80 years ago, the world community has not recognized the threat of nuclear weapons as a common threat to all mankind. The danger of war and the use of nuclear weapons continues to grow, and the year 2025, the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, will be critical for both the victims and all mankind. We must once again tell the world: “Do not allow nuclear war, eliminate nuclear weapons.” This is not only a problem for the victims, but for all mankind.

On August 10, 1956, the Japan Atomic Bomb Survivors Union was founded. Its declaration reads, “We vowed to save ourselves and, through our experience, save humanity from the threat.” I would like to address the world with these words again.

In 1982, at the Second UN Special Session on Disarmament, atomic bomb survivor Senji Yamaguchi said, “Never again Hiroshima, never again Nagasaki, never again war, never again hibakusha.” This is important because “never again war” comes first. Nuclear weapons were dropped on Japan because Japan went to war. War must never happen again. According to a 1985 study, 60% of those killed in the atomic bombings were women and children. The Japanese constitution, which rejects war and adheres to the principles of peaceful existence, should be a model for the world. Peace is necessary for children to realize their dreams. (This is not the result of collective discussions.)