'Nuclear taboo at risk': Nobel laureate group says in Oslo

LONDON

Members of Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's prominent organization of atomic bomb survivors, were honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on Tuesday.

The group hopes this recognition will invigorate the global movement for nuclear disarmament amid escalating geopolitical tensions that raise fears of potential nuclear weapon use.

In his lecture at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall co-chair Terumi Tanaka warned of the grave risks posed by modern nuclear arsenals and called on younger generations to continue their efforts to abolish nuclear weapons.

"Any one of you could become either a victim or a perpetrator, at any time," said Tanaka, 92, who survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945.

He emphasized the urgency of passing the mantle of advocacy to younger generations, noting that the average age of Japan’s atomic bomb survivors is now 85.

The group, also represented by co-chairs Shigemitsu Tanaka, 84, and Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, accepted the prestigious prize on behalf of all survivors.

Nihon Hidankyo is recognized for its decades-long work using firsthand testimony to raise awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.

Tanaka highlighted the organization's contributions to establishing the global norm against the use of nuclear weapons, often referred to as the "nuclear taboo."

However, he warned that this standard is increasingly at risk of being broken.

“In addition to the civilian casualties, I am infinitely saddened and angered that the 'nuclear taboo' risks being broken,” Tanaka said.

He referenced nuclear threats made during recent conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, underscoring the alarming reality that 4,000 nuclear warheads remain operationally deployed and ready to launch worldwide.

"A nuclear superpower Russia threatens to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine and a cabinet member of Israel in the midst of its unrelenting attacks on Gaza in Palestine, even spoke of the possible use of nuclear arms, in addition to the civilian casualties and infinitely saddened and angered that The nuclear taboo threatened to be broken," he added.

Tanaka recounted his personal experiences as a 13-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki bombing. Though he emerged from the explosion almost unharmed at his home 3 kilometers from ground zero, he lost five family members and witnessed unimaginable suffering.

“The deaths I witnessed at that time could hardly be described as human deaths,” he said. “There were hundreds of people suffering in agony, unable to receive any kind of medical attention. I strongly felt that even in war, such killing and maiming must never be allowed to happen.”

The survivors’ group estimates that 210,000 people perished as a result of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

Today’s nuclear weapons are many times more powerful, posing an even greater threat to humanity.

Tanaka expressed hope that the next generation would amplify their advocacy, warning that in ten years, only a handful of firsthand witnesses may remain.

"From now on, I hope that the next generation will find ways to build on our efforts and develop the movement even further," he said.