Tokyo, Japan – Yoshiko Watanabe, a 58-year-old Tokyo resident, was filled with emotion on Friday night after learning that the Nihon Hidankyo group of atomic bomb survivors received the Nobel Peace Prize. Born long after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Watanabe wept as she reflected on the award’s significance.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored the survivors for their efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons and for sharing their powerful testimonies, which stress the importance of never using such weapons again. This recognition is expected to renew attention on the survivors, known as “hibakusha,” and Japan’s history as the only nation to experience nuclear attacks. The 80th anniversary of the bombings in August 1945 is approaching.
“This is truly wonderful, and I can only express my gratitude to those who awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Japan,” Watanabe told Reuters while crying in Tokyo’s Shinbashi district. “I’m sorry, I can’t help but cry.”
As the news spread, workers distributed late editions of the Asahi newspaper. For the over 106,000 survivors still alive, the atomic bombings symbolize both a personal tragedy and an integral part of Japan’s national consciousness. Many Japanese still feel the United States should apologize for the bombings, which led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands and Japan’s surrender in World War II.
Ryosuke Kobayashi, 53, who works at a real estate agency, expressed his joy over the award. “I hope this will further raise global awareness about peace,” he said.
Despite more than 106,000 registered atomic bomb survivors as of March, their average age of 85.6 years raises concerns that younger Japanese and people outside the country are becoming less aware of the tragic lessons from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Tomoko Okuuchi, 78, noted the knowledge gap regarding atomic weapons. “I think Japan should do the utmost to raise awareness about it,” she said. “I hope this international award will help us to spread the message even more.”
