Japan: Atomic bomb survivors’ group wins Nobel Peace Prize

HIROSHIMA: Nihon Hidankyo co-chair Toshiyuki Mimaki appeared to be in shock at a news conference In Japan on Friday as the group was announced the winner of Nobel Peace Prize 2024.

The news conference was held in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, the site of the August 6, 1945 atomic bombing during Second World War.

The head of Nihon Hidankyo said that the group’s win of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize would support its efforts to demonstrate that the abolition of nuclear weapons was possible.

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Witnesses to the only two nuclear bombs ever to be used in conflict, known in Japan as ‘Hibakusha’, have dedicated their lives to the struggle for a nuclear-free world.

The group would continue to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons, Mimaki said.

Next year will mark the 80th anniversary of the dropping of nuclear bombs by the United States on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945.