Nobel Peace Prize given to Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo

Last October, the Nobel Peace Prize was given to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization made up of survivors of the attacks in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The organization was honored for its work against nuclear weapons. The Norwegian Nobel Committee’s head, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, said the award is important because some people are expressing a different opinion against the use of nuclear weapons.

The committee wanted to honor the survivors who have changed their devastating experiences into a movement promoting hope and peace. Toshiyuki Mimaki, chairperson of Hidankyo’s Hiroshima branch, cheered and teared up upon hearing the announcement. He couldn’t believe that the organization won the Nobel Peace Prize this year.

The Nobel Committee has honored other efforts to eradicate nuclear weapons in the past. In 2017, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) won the prize. In 1995, Joseph Rotblat and the Pugwash Conferences received the prize for their work to reduce nuclear weapons in politics. Beatrice Fihn, ex-director of ICAN, said giving an award to Nihon Hidankyo was “very emotional.” She said they’re partners in the fight against using nuclear weapons.