Nippon Hidankyo publishes report on Nobel Peace Prize ``Don't let it be a temporary thing, connect it to the future''

The Japan Council of Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb Victims' Organizations (Japan Hidankyo) has published a collection of reports on the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in 2024. He looked back on everything from the decision to receive the award, to the award ceremony in Norway, and after returning to Japan, including his impressions. Director-General Jiro Hamasumi (80) called on many people to read the book, ``so that it doesn't end as a temporary thing and will lead to the future.''

In October 2024, the country's Nobel Prize Committee announced that it would award the Peace Prize to Nippon Hidankyo for contributing through its testimony to establishing a ``nuclear taboo'' that prohibits the use of nuclear weapons. The award ceremony was held in the capital, Oslo, in December, and a delegation of 30 people, including atomic bomb survivors, attended. At the ceremony, representative committee member Hisami Tanaka (94) gave a lecture.

The report collection was published in June this year and is 68 A4 pages. We have posted an email from the Nobel Prize Committee announcing the award, as well as the full text of the speech by representative committee member Tanaka and chairperson Friedness at the award ceremony.

The report also includes comments from members of the delegation, such as ``I will continue testifying as long as I live'' and ``We must not be happy about receiving the award.'' A second-generation atomic bomb survivor who traveled with her parents expressed her determination, saying, ``I was able to face the atomic bomb and war, which I had been running away from until now.I will definitely pass on my father's experience.'' Also included are representative committee members Tanaka's words encouraging the younger generation to take action towards the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Director-General Hamazumi said, ``With the award, Hidankyo has been recognized around the world,'' but he also pointed out that the aging of the atomic bomb survivors means that ``the movement is in a difficult situation.'' ``How should each and every person in the world develop their activities and take action?'' he said emphatically, ``This collection of reports will serve as material for thinking.''

Some report collections cost 1,000 yen (tax included). A DVD containing about 20 minutes of on-site activities and interviews with the delegation is also on sale for 1,000 yen (same).