A Nobel Peace Prize for Nihon Hidankyo: A Powerful Plea for Peace

In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions and nuclear threats, the awarding of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo reminds us of an urgent and fundamental truth: nuclear weapons are the most destructive weapons humanity has ever developed, and their use must be prevented forever. The voices of the Hibakusha – the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – are not only witnesses to past catastrophes, but also warnings for the future.

Since the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, a global awareness of the immense dangers of these weapons has developed. However, the world today seems perilously close to forgetting these lessons. At a time when nuclear powers are modernising their arsenals and new states are seeking nuclear weapons, we are once again on the brink of a potential nuclear disaster.

Nihon Hidankyo, the confederation of Japanese A- and H-bomb victims, has made it its mission to raise awareness about the unimaginable humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons. This organisation, founded almost 70 years ago, unites the voices of the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as the victims of nuclear tests in the Pacific. “We have been trying to tell the story about the humanitarian consequences if the A-bomb is used for the third time. So we have to stop. We have to cease that risk,” says Masako Wada, Deputy Secretary General of Nihon Hidankyo. “We have to keep going forward to convey our wish, our hope without nuclear weapons, and that’s our mission. That’s our mission as Hibakusha”.[1]

This warning is more relevant today than ever. The modernised nuclear weapons of today have a vastly greater destructive potential than the bombs of 1945. They could wipe out millions of lives, render the environment uninhabitable for generations, and have global climate impacts that would endanger our civilisation.

The Importance of International Treaties to Protect Humanity

A key step towards nuclear disarmament has been the creation of international treaties that limit or prohibit the use and spread of nuclear weapons. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which came into force in 1968, is one of the most important agreements. The NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and achieve complete nuclear disarmament. To date, 191 states have signed the NPT, making it one of the most widely accepted disarmament treaties.

Another example is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which came into force in 2021 and completely bans the possession and use of nuclear weapons. Although the nuclear powers have not yet recognised this treaty, it remains an important signal of global commitment to the complete abolition of these weapons.

However, it is equally alarming that existing treaties are being violated or broken. A striking example is the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between the United States and Russia, which in 1987 required the elimination of an entire category of nuclear weapons. This treaty was terminated by the United States in 2019 after repeatedly accusing Russia of violating its terms. This development has significantly increased the risk of a new nuclear arms race in Europe.

The Nobel Peace Prize for Nihon Hidankyo is therefore not only a recognition of their work, but also a reminder of the importance of these international frameworks. However, respect for such treaties must also mean strengthening the institutions that monitor and enforce them. The United Nations, in particular, plays a key role in overseeing and promoting nuclear disarmament. Without strong international institutions, important frameworks could unravel, leading to an uncontrolled escalation of nuclear threats.

The Importance of the “Nuclear Taboo” and the Danger of Its Erosion

In recent decades, a strong international norm against the use of nuclear weapons has developed, known as the “nuclear taboo.” This taboo is the result of years of efforts by survivors, activists, diplomats, and peace organisations to remind the world of the immense humanitarian costs of a nuclear weapons use. The fact that nuclear weapons have not been used in conflicts for nearly 80 years is a testament to the success of these efforts.

However, this taboo is under significant pressure today. Several nuclear powers, including the United States, Russia, and China, have modernised their nuclear arsenals and developed new nuclear strategies that once again consider the use of nuclear weapons as a possible option in military conflicts. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, in particular, has brought the global nuclear threat back into sharp focus. Russia’s President Putin has repeatedly hinted that the use of nuclear weapons could be a possibility, and this rhetoric is causing great concern worldwide.

“The world is currently moving backwards on nuclear disarmament. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused unspeakable human suffering and raised the risk of nuclear war. Rather than anger, I feel sorrow and fear, how deep humans will fall into the darkness”,[2] says Masako Wada. Her words reflect the deep concern that the world is moving away from the lessons of the past and once again towards the brink of nuclear conflict. The modernisation of nuclear arsenals, the expansion of nuclear doctrines, and rising geopolitical tensions all contribute to this growing danger.

The “nuclear taboo” must not erode. It is one of the most important achievements of the international peace movement and a safeguard against the worst excesses of human destructiveness. The work of Nihon Hidankyo and other organisations advocating for nuclear disarmament reminds us of how crucial it is to maintain and strengthen this norm.

Peace as an Active Commitment

Peace is not simply the absence of war – it requires active efforts to create the conditions under which violence and conflict can be avoided. The work of Nihon Hidankyo shows us that the fight for peace encompasses far more than just the abolition of nuclear weapons. It is about mobilising humanity to reduce injustice and inequality, promote dialogue, and resolve conflicts through diplomacy.

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo underscores that committed individuals and movements can make a difference. Alfred Nobel’s vision was to honour those who, through their actions, make a significant contribution to peace. The Hibakusha, who have experienced unimaginable suffering, have chosen to turn their painful memories into a call for peace – a call that is more important today than ever before.

A Wake-Up Call for the Global Community

Nuclear disarmament is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The work of Nihon Hidankyo shows us that the path to a more peaceful world is not easy, but it is necessary. Every escalation of nuclear threats brings us one step closer to catastrophe. Yet the efforts of the Hibakusha and other peace activists remind us that there are alternatives: dialogue, diplomacy, and a shared vision for peace.

It is time for the international community not only to react but to act proactively. The modernisation of nuclear arsenals must be stopped, and international disarmament agreements must be revived. The Nobel Peace Prize for Nihon Hidankyo is not only a recognition of their decades-long efforts but also a wake-up call to all of us to take responsibility for a more peaceful future. Equally important is the strengthening of institutions such as the United Nations, which oversee and implement these treaties, to ensure that they can fulfil their responsibilities.

A Call to Action

The Nobel Peace Prize for Nihon Hidankyo sends a strong signal to the global community: peace is possible, but it must be actively defended. The lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are as relevant today as they were 80 years ago. At a time when the nuclear threat is once again growing, we must come together to work for a world free of nuclear weapons. The work of Nihon Hidankyo shows us that the path to peace can be paved through engagement, remembrance, and collective effort. It is up to all of us to continue on this path before it is too late.

Eva Wuchold is the Programme Director for Social Rights at the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Geneva Office. Since joining the foundation in 2012, she has played a key role in advancing its global initiatives on social and human rights.

[1] Interview with Robin Hardy on the Nobel Peace Prize website: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2024/nihon-hidankyo/interview/

[2] ibid.