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s conflicts in the Middle “More and more
East and Ukraine con- victims have
Atinue, 93-year-old atomic
bomb survivor Terumi Tanaka warns passed away, and
the threat of a nuclear war is an ur-
gent matter that world leaders must our member-
address in dialogue.
ship continues to
“Even in the 21st century, leaders
of many countries continue with out- shrink. For those
dated approaches, such as waging war who have left us,
or believing that as long as their own
nation is prosperous, other countries I think the award
do not matter,” Tanaka says when
meeting students from the Chinese came too late.”
University of Hong Kong in a class-
room at the University of Tokyo cam-
pus. Atomic bomb survivor Terumi Tanaka, writing down a message Poster on the global state of nuclear materials and weapons The organisation has a very
calling for peace. strict membership policy.
The co-chairperson of Nobel
Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidank- “Under the policy, it means only
yo (Japan Confederation of A- and “There are people who want war to sponse to a broader range of conven- testimonies and organise exhibitions bel Peace Prize seven years later in victims who have suffered from ra-
H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations), an happen, but they won’t go to the bat- tional attacks. Tanaka warns: “If Putin on the atomic bomb at the United Na- 2024. Tanaka says: diation exposure or injuries, and
organisation set up by atomic bomb tlefield themselves. War only makes is not in the right mood, he might use tions every five years,” Tanaka says. victims who lost family members or
survivors from Hiroshima and Na- them richer,” he says, criticizing in- it (nuclear weapons).” became displaced due to the atomic
gasaki, expresses deep concern about dustries and politicians who benefit These efforts contributed to the
declining international cooperation. from military actions. He stresses maintaining peace re- anti-nuclear weapons group’s most
quires dialogue and cooperation be- significant victory – the 2017 adop-
“These people create a climate of tween different countries: “I hope tion of the Treaty on the Prohibition
fear by claiming ‘we are under attack’ everyone will talk more about peace of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
“If tensions between or ‘we are being threatened,’ making rather than war – how to maintain
But in 2017, Nihon Hidankyo did
nations escalate to citizens believe that military expan- peace and create peace, rather than not receive the award. The Interna-
sion and weapons purchases are ne-
discussing possible wars or what to do
the point of war, it cessities…as long as these leaders can when war happens.” tional Campaign to Abolish Nuclear
Weapons (ICAN), which jointly pro-
convince their citizens a war is neces-
will inevitably lead sary, they can continue to use public The peace activist has put his ap- moted TPNW with Nihon Hidankyo,
money to purchase weapons,” he adds. peal into action all his life. He started
won the award.
to nuclear conflict. helping atomic bomb survivors in Mi-
“We thought we would win that
Citing data from the Stockholm yagi Prefecture in 1956, shortly after
We must eliminate International Peace Research Institute Nihon Hidankyo was founded. His year. We’d been practicing for some
any possibility that (SIPRI), Tanaka points out that there duty was to travel to various regions time to get ready for the award pre-
sentation. But we did not get it. We
are about 4,000 nuclear weapons that to visit atomic bomb victims across
could lead to a can be launched at any time world the country and find out what diffi- thought maybe it’s because Norway is
wide.
a member of The North Atlantic Trea-
culties and problems they had when
war,” he says. He points out Russian President praise and was invited to join the or- ty Organization (NATO), and they
rebuilding their lives. His work won
could not honor a group that helped
Vladimir Putin, and his government ganisation. victims who were bombed by the
officially adopted a new nuclear doct USA,” he says.
rine last November, lowering the “I also lead atomic bomb survivors Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to Nihon Hidankyo
threshold for a nuclear strike in re- to the United Nations to share their The group was awarded the No-