Survivors return to Pearl Harbor, recalling chaos of the historic attack

In December 2024, Terumi Tanaka, a 92-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bombing, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, an organization of atomic bomb survivors. This grassroots movement has been advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons for nearly 70 years, evoking the horrors of the bombings that killed around 210,000 people by the end of 1945, with many more suffering from the long-term effects of radiation. Each year, fewer survivors remain, leading to a profound concern that the global taboo against nuclear weapons is weakening. During the award ceremony in Oslo, Tanaka recounted his traumatic experiences from August 9, 1945, when the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. He described the overwhelming shock wave, the aftereffects, and the gruesome sight of the devastation, including charred corpses of his loved ones. He voiced his fears about the current global climate, where discussions about nuclear weapons usage have alarmingly resurfaced amidst conflicts involving nuclear states like Russia and Israel. The Nobel Committee recognized this alarming trend, emphasizing the need for remembrance and learning from the survivors' testimonies in the face of growing nuclear dangers around the world. Furthermore, the Nobel Peace Prize was not only a recognition of Nihon Hidankyo's persistent activism but also a clarion call to nuclear-armed nations to take their obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons seriously. Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, highlighted the urgent need to move towards disarmament amid growing global tensions and the modernizations of nuclear arsenals by various states. Masako, the Japanese Empress, also expressed her thoughts on the importance of the Nobel award in the realm of peace efforts. She remarked on the ongoing struggles of atomic bomb survivors and pointed out the necessity for mutual understanding among countries to foster a peaceful world. As the hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors, continue to age, their voices and messages about the dire consequences of nuclear weapons become increasingly vital for future generations to learn from. The collective memory of their suffering serves as a reminder of what must be cherished and protected—the hope for a world free of nuclear arms.