Nihon Hidankyo, the group of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. Speaking out against current conflicts around the globe, including in Gaza, the group warns of the increasing possibility of a nuclear war. Survivor Shigemitsu Tanaka, from Nagasaki, expressed concern about the growing international tensions and the threat of nuclear weapons being used in wars. Meanwhile, Hiroshima residents like Susumu Ogawa shared their personal experiences of the devastation caused by the bombings in 1945, urging for the abandonment of all nuclear weapons.
The recent conflicts in the Middle East and Russia’s nuclear threats have further fueled the group’s call for peace and disarmament. Japanese demonstrators gathered in support of Palestinians in Gaza, drawing parallels between the suffering of children in Gaza and that of Japanese civilians during World War II. With the average age of survivors now 85, educating young people about the horrors of nuclear weapons is crucial. The group hopes that the Nobel Prize will help raise awareness and encourage more people to visit Hiroshima and learn about the devastating impact of atomic bombings.
As the world commemorates the events of 1945, the message remains clear – the only way to prevent self-destruction is to abolish nuclear weapons. The stories of hibakusha must be remembered and shared to ensure that the horrors of nuclear warfare are never repeated.
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