80 years after Hiroshima, atomic bomb survivors win Nobel Peace Prize amid global nuclear tensions

The scenes of atomic devastation—cities leveled to dust, bodies consumed by flames, and the haunting silhouette of a mushroom cloud—forever changed the course of history.

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in 1945 showcased the unimaginable horrors of nuclear warfare, with tens of thousands dying instantly and many more suffering in the aftermath from radiation-related illnesses.

From this devastation, a group of survivors emerged, not only battling the physical effects of radiation but also societal isolation. For decades, they lived as reminders of humanity's darkest capabilities, often ostracized for representing the painful reality of nuclear warfare.

On October 11, Nihon Hidankyo, a group representing these survivors, was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. The group’s decades-long mission to advocate for nuclear disarmament was recognized by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which praised them for “bearing witness to the horror of nuclear weapons and demonstrating why they must never be used again.”

The Nobel committee emphasized the critical importance of their testimony, acknowledging that the 100,000 remaining survivors of the bombings have made it possible for the world to understand the devastation of nuclear warfare in a deeply personal way. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, the committee's chairman, stated, “Their voices describe the indescribable and help us confront the unthinkable pain caused by nuclear weapons.”

While nuclear weapons have not been deployed in war since those attacks in August 1945, the committee noted the growing global threat. Many nuclear powers continue to modernize their arsenals, and the risk of proliferation looms, with rising tensions in the Middle East and Asia, and Russian President Vladimir V. Putin's threats to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

"At this moment in human history, it is crucial to remind ourselves of the catastrophic destruction that nuclear weapons bring," the Nobel committee declared.

The legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remains a powerful reminder. Nearly 80 years ago, on August 6 and 9, 1945, the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs—codenamed "Little Boy" and "Fat Man"—on these cities, killing 120,000 people instantly.

Another 120,000 succumbed to burns, injuries, and radiation-related diseases over the following months. While the bombings hastened the end of World War II, they also ignited a global nuclear arms race, with tests carried out from the deserts of China to the atolls of the South Pacific, spreading lethal radiation far and wide.

Today, nine countries, including the United States, Russia, and China, possess nuclear weapons. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, nearly 13,000 nuclear warheads are in existence worldwide, posing a continual threat to global peace.

In Japan, the bombings left scars far deeper than the physical destruction of the cities. Once an imperial power, Japan embraced a pacifist future, embedding peace into its Constitution and national identity.

Yet, despite this, many survivors, known as hibakusha, found themselves marginalized. They were seen as a painful reminder of the bombings, both in Japan and abroad. Terumi Tanaka, a prominent member of Nihon Hidankyo, was shocked during his visit to the United Nations in 1976 by how little the world seemed to know about the bombings’ true death toll.

The hibakusha also faced social stigma within Japan. There was a fear that radiation-related illnesses were contagious, which led to struggles in both marriage and employment.

Sunao Tsuboi, former chairman of Nihon Hidankyo and a survivor of the Hiroshima blast, recounted how he and his fiancée attempted suicide after her parents forbade their marriage due to his status as a survivor.

Thankfully, they survived, married, and Tsuboi went on to meet President Barack Obama during his historic visit to Hiroshima in 2016.

As hibakusha shared their stories, Nihon Hidankyo formed in 1956 to advocate for nuclear disarmament, standing as a powerful testament to survival. However, the journey wasn’t without hardship.

Many survivors felt abandoned by the Japanese government and oppressed by the United States during the post-war occupation. Despite this, they continued their mission to ensure the horrors they lived through would never be repeated.

Japan’s relationship with nuclear power is complicated. As the nation grew into a technological powerhouse, it embraced nuclear energy, only to be reminded of its dangers after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Since then, most of the country’s nuclear reactors have remained offline, a sobering reminder of the risks tied to nuclear technology.

Despite their advancing age, hibakusha continue their fight against nuclear proliferation, and the Nobel committee acknowledged their contribution to establishing what has been called the “nuclear taboo.”

However, this taboo is now facing threats from modern nuclear powers and emerging conflicts. Henrik Urdal, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, emphasized the relevance of the award, stating, “In an age of automated weaponry and AI-driven warfare, the message of disarmament is not just about history, but about our future.”

While the aging hibakusha remain at the forefront of the movement, the hope is that a younger generation in Japan will carry forward their mission. Nevertheless, Japan’s position is precarious, surrounded by nuclear powers such as Russia and China. From Laos, where he was attending a regional summit, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo "deeply significant." However, Ishiba, a former defense minister, has also advocated for a stronger military posture and even suggested that the U.S. could share its nuclear arsenal with Japan.

While public support for nuclear disarmament remains high in Japan, some younger citizens have expressed belief in nuclear deterrence—a strategy that involves maintaining nuclear arms to prevent attacks.

Last year’s G7 summit, held in Hiroshima, saw world leaders release a statement that acknowledged the ongoing existence of nuclear weapons but did not call for outright disarmament. Instead, they argued that nuclear weapons, “as long as they exist, should serve defensive purposes.”

In response, Toshiyuki Mimaki, the current chairman of Nihon Hidankyo, implored the world to take action before time runs out. "Please abolish nuclear weapons while we are still alive," he urged.