With the ranks of hibakusha rapidly dwindling, a group of atomic bomb survivors' efforts to pass down their experiences and achieve a world free of nuclear weapons have earned them a Nobel Peace Prize.

Now, the group is hoping the global recognition will further energize the next generation who are being entrusted to carry on the campaign. 

On Oct. 13, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo (the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations), visited a cafe in Hiroshima to celebrate his organization being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with around 20 members over cake.

Among the gathering were young activists involved in the anti-nuclear movement.

“I think the passing down of the (hibakusha’s) message is still far from sufficient,” said Miho Tanaka, 30, co-chair of the Kakuwaka Hiroshima group, which brings together young people living in Hiroshima to advocate for a world without nuclear weapons.

“The award has given us a stronger opportunity to send a more powerful message to the world urging the government to join the TPNW (Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons). I also want to work together with the people here,” she added.

Mimaki said, “The day will come when there will be no hibakusha left. I’m heartened by the enthusiasm of young people for peace activities.”

“I hope they will carry on our legacy and become strong leaders,” he said.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee in its award statement praised the work of the next generation to carry on the efforts of atomic bomb survivors.

“One day, the hibakusha will no longer be among us as witnesses to history," the statement said. "But with a strong culture of remembrance and continued commitment, new generations in Japan are carrying forward the experience and the message of the witnesses.”

PRAISE FROM FELLOW NOBEL LAUREATE 

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for its work in promoting the TPNW, celebrated Nihon Hidankyo  receiving the award this year.

Melissa Parke, executive director of ICAN, posted a congratulatory message on the organization’s website on Oct. 11.

“(Nihon Hidankyo and the hibakusha’s) testimonies and tireless campaigning have been crucial to progress on nuclear disarmament in general and the adoption and entry into force of the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in particular,” she said.

Parke called on nuclear-armed states and those protected under their nuclear umbrella, “including Japan, to heed (hibakusha’s) call to abolish these inhumane weapons.”

The Japanese government has cited the fact that nuclear-armed nations have not joined the TPNW as the main reason for not ratifying the treaty.

Nihon Hidankyo and other groups have repeatedly called on the government to at least participate as an observer in conferences of state parties to the TPNW. However, the government has not attended either of the past two meetings.

Masako Wada, 80, assistant secretary-general of Nihon Hidankyo, visited the Foreign Ministry last November ahead of the second meeting of state parties to the TPNW.

“We’ve met with the ministry officials so many times, in so many different settings, but what they tell us is always exactly the same,” she said.

The views of hibakusha, who see nuclear weapons as the ultimate evil, remain at odds with those of the government of an atomic-bombed nation.

The day after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, on Aug. 10, 1945, Japan accused the United States of violating international law and committing a war crime.

However, over time, Japan came to tolerate the existence of nuclear weapons.

In 1955, five hibakusha from Hiroshima and Nagasaki filed a lawsuit against the government seeking compensation.

The government, as the defendant, argued that it was difficult to definitively determine if the use of atomic bombs, which were considered “new weapons” at the time, constituted a violation of international law.

In 1995 when the International Court of Justice was reviewing the legality of nuclear weapons, then-Hiroshima Mayor Takashi Hiraoka said, “The use of nuclear weapons clearly violates international law.”

However, the government said, “The mayor’s statement does not necessarily reflect the government’s official position.”

GOVERNMENT STILL NOT LISTENING

Even today, the government only refers to nuclear weapons as “inhumane weapons” but does not address their illegality.

Its stance remained unchanged even after Fumio Kishida, who represents a Hiroshima constituency in the Diet, became prime minister.

This month, Shigeru Ishiba, who emphasizes the importance of nuclear deterrence, was elected prime minster.

Shortly before taking office, Ishiba argued in an essay that Japan must seriously consider nuclear weapons sharing with the United States and allowing U.S. nuclear arms into the country.

His stance became a major point during the party leaders’ debate on Oct. 12, before campaigning for the Lower House election officially kicked off.

Wada expressed frustration that her own government, which should be the one closest to hibakusha, does not reflect her organization's wishes.

“If the United States brings its nuclear weapons here and we end up using them under American command, it would make everything we’ve fought for meaningless,” she said.

Sixty-eight years have passed since the founding of Nihon Hidankyo. As of March this year, the average age of hibakusha reached 85.58 years.

Among them was Senji Yamaguchi, who delivered the first-ever hibakusha speech at the United Nations in 1982, calling for “No more hibakusha.”

Another was Sumiteru Taniguchi, known for showing a photo of his severe burns on his back from the atomic bomb as he campaigned for nuclear abolition.

Sunao Tsuboi, famous for his catchphrase “Never give up” and his meeting with then-U.S. President Barack Obama during his historic visit to Hiroshima in 2016, was also a leading figure.

One by one, these prominent hibakusha who led the anti-nuclear movement have passed away.

The goal of achieving a world without nuclear weapons while hibakusha are still living remains a distant dream at present.

(This article was written by Asako Hanafusa, Masato Tainaka and Hayashi Yanagawa.)