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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
|name=Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations
| name = Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations
|image=
| image =
|logo=Nihon Hidankyō Logo.jpg
| logo = Nihon Hidankyō Logo.jpg
| image_size = 150px
|type=
| leader_title = Executive director
| leader_title = Executive director
| leader_name = [[Sueichi Kido]]
| leader_name = [[Sueichi Kido]]
|founded_date={{start date and age|1956|8|10|df=yes}}
| founded_date = {{start date and age|1956|8|10|df=yes}}
|headquarters=[[Shibadaimon]], Minato, Tokyo
| headquarters = [[Shibadaimon]], Minato, Tokyo
|origins=
| origins =
|key_people=
| key_people =
|area_served=Japan
| area_served = Japan
|focus=[[Nuclear disarmament|Abolition]] of [[nuclear weapon]]s
| focus = [[Nuclear disarmament|Abolition]] of [[nuclear weapon]]s
|method=[[Lobbying]]
| method = [[Lobbying]]
|homepage={{url|http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/}}
| homepage = {{url|https://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/english/index.html}}
}}
}}


The {{nihongo|'''Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations'''|日本原水爆被害者団体協議会|Nihon gensuibaku higaisha dantai kyōgi-kai}}, often shortened to {{nihongo|'''Nihon Hidankyō'''|日本被団協|Nihon Hidankyō}}, is a group formed by ''[[hibakusha]]'' in 1956 with the goals of pressuring the Japanese government to improve support of the victims and [[lobbying]] governments for the [[nuclear disarmament|abolition of nuclear weapon]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/rn_page/english/index_english/index_english.html|title=Welcome to HIDANKYO|publisher=Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization (Nihon Hidankyo) website|accessdate=31 August 2007}}</ref>
The {{nihongo|'''Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations'''|日本原水爆被害者団体協議会|Nihon gensuibaku higaisha dantai kyōgi-kai}}, often shortened to {{nihongo|'''Nihon Hidankyō'''|日本被団協|Nihon Hidankyō}}, is a group that represents survivors (known as ''[[hibakusha]]'') of the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]]. It was formed in 1956.


The organisation's activities included providing thousands of witness accounts, issuing resolutions and public appeals, and sending annual delegations to various international organisations, including the [[United Nations]], to advocate for global nuclear disarmament.<ref name="NobelPrizeorg-2024">{{Cite web |title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2024 – Press release|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2024/press-release/ |date=11 October 2024 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=NobelPrize.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
Nihon Hidankyō [[lobbying|lobbies]] both the Japanese government for improved support of the victims and governments worldwide for the [[nuclear disarmament|abolition of nuclear weapon]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/rn_page/english/index_english/index_english.html|title=Welcome to HIDANKYO|publisher=Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization (Nihon Hidankyo) website|accessdate=31 August 2007}}</ref> Their activities included recording thousands of witness accounts, issuing resolutions and public appeals, and sending annual delegations to various international organisations, including the [[United Nations]], to advocate for global nuclear disarmament.<ref name="NobelPrizeorg-2024">{{Cite web |title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2024 – Press release|url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2024/press-release/ |date=11 October 2024 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=NobelPrize.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
This organization was awarded the [[2024 Nobel Peace Prize]] "for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again".<ref name="NobelPrizeorg-2024" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/nobel-peace-prize-awarded-to-the-japanese-organisation-nihon-hidankyo-of-survivors-of-the-world-war-ii-atomic-bombings/cid/2054712|title=Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo of survivors of the World War II atomic bombings|publisher=[[The Telegraph (India)]] |date=2024-10-11}}</ref>
The organisation was awarded the [[2024 Nobel Peace Prize]] "for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again".<ref name="NobelPrizeorg-2024" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/nobel-peace-prize-awarded-to-the-japanese-organisation-nihon-hidankyo-of-survivors-of-the-world-war-ii-atomic-bombings/cid/2054712|title=Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo of survivors of the World War II atomic bombings|publisher=[[The Telegraph (India)]] |date=2024-10-11}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Hibakusha.jpg|thumb|right|Nihon Hidankyo's secretary general [[Terumi Tanaka]] speaking to youth about surviving the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima at a UN event in [[Vienna]] in 2007]]
⚫
Nihon Hidankyo is a nation-wide organisation formed by survivor groups of atomic bomb victims from [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] in each [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]].<ref name="西日本新聞me">{{Cite web |title=被団協機能不全に 「はっちゃん」の努力 原爆を背負って(42) |url=https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/630110/ |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=西日本新聞me |language=ja}}</ref> The fallout from [[Castle Bravo]], a thermonuclear weapon test conducted at [[Bikini Atoll]] by the United States in 1954, caused acute radiation syndrome in residents of neighbouring atolls and 23 crew members of the Japanese fishing vessel ''[[Daigo Fukuryū Maru]]''. This led to the formation of the [[Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs]] in Hiroshima the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ヒロシマの記録１９５５ ９月 |trans-title=Hiroshima Records of September 1955|url=https://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=26316 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター |language=ja}}</ref> Inspired and supported by this movement, atomic bomb survivors established Nihon Hidankyo on 10 August 1956, at the second annual conference of the council in Nagasaki.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=日本被団協 |title=被爆者の願いの実現をめざして、どのような運動をしてきたか |trans-title=What tyWhat kind of campaigns have been carried out to realize the wishes of atomic bomb survivors? |url=https://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/about/about2-02.html |language=ja |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=www.ne.jp}}</ref> However, the movement's solidarity was jeopardised when the council became actively involved in the [[Anpo protests|anti-U.S.-Japan Security Treaty]] movement alongside the left-leaning [[Japan Socialist Party]] in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ヒロシマの記録１９５９ ３月 |trans-title=Hiroshima Records of March 1959|url=https://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=26262 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター |language=ja}}</ref> A large number of supporters withdrew from the council, and with the support of the conservative [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democrats]], a new organisation, led by Masatoshi Matsushita, leader of the staunchly anti-communist [[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)|Democratic Socialist Party]], was established.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ヒロシマの記録１９６１ １１月 |trans-title=Hiroshima Records of November 1961|url=https://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=26246 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター |language=ja}}</ref> In 1961, when the [[Soviet Union]] resumed nuclear tests, the communist wing of the council refused to denounce them, which led to severe internal tension.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ヒロシマの記録１９６１ ９月 |trans-title=Hiroshima Records of September 1961 |url=https://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=26244 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター |language=ja}}</ref> This led to a further split in the movement, with a Japan Socialist Party-backed group that denounces nuclear tests by any nation breaking away as a new council.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 May 2020 |title=原水禁とは – 原水禁 |trans-title=What is Gensuikin? |url=http://gensuikin.peace-forum.com/about_gensuikin/ |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=原水禁 – 核と人類は共存できない}}</ref> These tensions within [[anti-nuclear movement]]s caused some prefectural Hidankyos to split at the local level as well, such as in Hiroshima, where there are both Socialist Party-backed and Communist Party-backed Hidankyos with the same name. The nationwide organisation itself decided not to align with any political movements in 1965, after they became highly politicised.<ref name="西日本新聞me" />
Nihon Hidankyo is a nation-wide organisation formed by survivor groups of atomic bomb victims from [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|Hiroshima and Nagasaki]] in each [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]].<ref name="西日本新聞me">{{Cite web |title=被団協機能不全に 「はっちゃん」の努力 原爆を背負って(42) |url=https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/630110/ |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=西日本新聞me |language=ja}}</ref> The fallout from [[Castle Bravo]], a thermonuclear weapon test conducted at [[Bikini Atoll]] by the United States in 1954, caused acute radiation syndrome in residents of neighbouring atolls and 23 crew members of the Japanese fishing vessel ''[[Daigo Fukuryū Maru]]''. This led to the formation of the [[Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs]] in Hiroshima the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ヒロシマの記録１９５５ ９月 |trans-title=Hiroshima Records of September 1955|url=https://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=26316 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター |language=ja}}</ref> Inspired and supported by this movement, atomic bomb survivors established Nihon Hidankyo on 10 August 1956, at the second annual conference of the council in Nagasaki.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=日本被団協 |title=被爆者の願いの実現をめざして、どのような運動をしてきたか |trans-title=What tyWhat kind of campaigns have been carried out to realize the wishes of atomic bomb survivors? |url=https://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/about/about2-02.html |language=ja |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=www.ne.jp}}</ref>

⚫
However, the movement's solidarity was jeopardised when the council became actively involved in the [[Anpo protests|anti-U.S.-Japan Security Treaty]] movement alongside the left-leaning [[Japan Socialist Party]] in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ヒロシマの記録１９５９ ３月 |trans-title=Hiroshima Records of March 1959|url=https://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=26262 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター |language=ja}}</ref> A large number of supporters withdrew from the council, and with the support of the conservative [[Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democrats]], a new organisation, led by Masatoshi Matsushita, leader of the staunchly anti-communist [[Democratic Socialist Party (Japan)|Democratic Socialist Party]], was established.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ヒロシマの記録１９６１ １１月 |trans-title=Hiroshima Records of November 1961|url=https://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=26246 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター |language=ja}}</ref> In 1961, when the [[Soviet Union]] resumed nuclear tests, the communist wing of the council refused to denounce them, which led to severe internal tension.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ヒロシマの記録１９６１ ９月 |trans-title=Hiroshima Records of September 1961 |url=https://www.hiroshimapeacemedia.jp/?p=26244 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター |language=ja}}</ref> This led to a further split in the movement, with a Japan Socialist Party-backed group that denounces nuclear tests by any nation breaking away as a new council.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 May 2020 |title=原水禁とは – 原水禁 |trans-title=What is Gensuikin? |url=http://gensuikin.peace-forum.com/about_gensuikin/ |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=原水禁 – 核と人類は共存できない}}</ref> These tensions within [[anti-nuclear movement]]s caused some prefectural Hidankyos to split at the local level as well, such as in Hiroshima, where there are both Socialist Party-backed and Communist Party-backed Hidankyos with the same name. The nationwide organisation itself decided not to align with any political movements in 1965, after they became highly politicised.<ref name="西日本新聞me" />


== Activities ==
== Activities ==
Line 39: Line 42:
== Key figures ==
== Key figures ==


=== Current officials ===
⚫
=== Current officials<ref>{{Cite web |title=welcome to HIDANKYO in Japanese |url=https://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/english/about/about1-01.html |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=www.ne.jp}}</ref> ===


==== Co-chairs: ====
==== Co-chairs ====
* [[Terumi Tanaka]]: Exposed to radiation 3.2 km away from the Nagasaki hypocentre at the age of 13; assumed office on 14 June 2017<ref name="NS2018">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2018 |title=被団協 代表委員に田中重光氏 総会で選出 故谷口氏の |url=https://nordot.app/380181374566712417 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=長崎新聞 |language=ja-JP |trans-title=Shigemitsu Tanaka elected as representative committee member of the Hidankyo at general meeting, succeeding the late Mr. Taniguchi}}</ref>
* [[Terumi Tanaka]]: Exposed to radiation 3.2 km away from the Nagasaki hypocentre at the age of 13; assumed office on 14 June 2017<ref name="NS2018">{{Cite web |date=15 June 2018 |title=被団協 代表委員に田中重光氏 総会で選出 故谷口氏の |url=https://nordot.app/380181374566712417 |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=長崎新聞 |language=ja-JP |trans-title=Shigemitsu Tanaka elected as representative committee member of the Hidankyo at general meeting, succeeding the late Mr. Taniguchi}}</ref>
* [[Shigemitsu Tanaka]]: Exposed to radiation 6 km away from the Nagasaki hypocentre at the age of 4;<ref name="Messages"/> assumed office on 14 June 2018<ref name="NS2018"/>
* [[Shigemitsu Tanaka]]: Exposed to radiation 6 km away from the Nagasaki hypocentre at the age of 4;<ref name="Messages"/> assumed office on 14 June 2018<ref name="NS2018"/>
* [[Toshiyuki Mimaki]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nobel-peace-prize-laureate-2024-1.7348355|title=Japan's Nihon Hidankyo, organization of atomic bomb survivors, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=11 October 2024|access-date=11 Octover 2024}}</ref>: Exposed to radiation at his home in Hiroshima at the age of 3;<ref name="Messages">{{Cite web |title=広島の声 – 広島・長崎の記憶～被爆者からのメッセージ |publisher=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] |trans-title=Voices of Hiroshima: Memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - Messages from atomic bomb survivors|url=https://www.asahi.com/hibakusha/hiroshima/h02-00003j.html |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=www.asahi.com}}</ref> assumed office on 9 June 2022<ref name="Face">{{Cite web |date=9 June 2022 |title=日本被団協の代表委員に箕牧さん 大きな壁に挑む新たな「顔」|url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQ696WVMQ67PITB00M.html |access-date=11 October 2024 |publisher=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] |website=朝日新聞デジタル |language=ja |trans-title=Minomaki appointed as representative committee member of the Japan Confederation of A-bomb Victims Organizations: A new "face" tackling a big challenge}}</ref>
* [[Toshiyuki Mimaki]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nobel-peace-prize-laureate-2024-1.7348355|title=Japan's Nihon Hidankyo, organization of atomic bomb survivors, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=11 October 2024|access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref>: Exposed to radiation at his home in Hiroshima at the age of 3;<ref name="Messages">{{Cite web |title=広島の声 – 広島・長崎の記憶～被爆者からのメッセージ |publisher=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] |trans-title=Voices of Hiroshima: Memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – Messages from atomic bomb survivors|url=https://www.asahi.com/hibakusha/hiroshima/h02-00003j.html |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=www.asahi.com}}</ref> assumed office on 9 June 2022<ref name="Face">{{Cite web |date=9 June 2022 |title=日本被団協の代表委員に箕牧さん 大きな壁に挑む新たな「顔」|url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQ696WVMQ67PITB00M.html |access-date=11 October 2024 |publisher=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] |website=朝日新聞デジタル |language=ja |trans-title=Minomaki appointed as representative committee member of the Japan Confederation of A-bomb Victims Organizations: A new "face" tackling a big challenge}}</ref>


==== Secretary general: ====
==== Secretary general ====
* [[Sueichi Kido]]: Exposed to radiation in Nagasaki at the age of 5; assumed office on 7 June 2017<ref name="Face"/>
* [[Sueichi Kido]]: Exposed to radiation in Nagasaki at the age of 5; assumed office on 7 June 2017<ref name="Face"/>


==== Assistant secretaries general: ====
==== Assistant secretaries general ====
⚫
* Toshiko Hamanaka<ref name="WelcomeHidankyo">{{Cite web |title=welcome to HIDANKYO in Japanese |url=https://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/english/about/about1-01.html |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=www.ne.jp}}</ref>
* Toshiko Hamanaka
* Jiro Hamasumi
* Jiro Hamasumi<ref name="WelcomeHidankyo" />
* Michiko Kodama
* Michiko Kodama<ref name="WelcomeHidankyo" />
* [[Masako Wada]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=First reactions. Telephone interview, October 2024 |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2024/nihon-hidankyo/interview/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=NobelPrize.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Masako Wada]]


=== Former officials ===
=== Former officials ===
Line 64: Line 67:
*2003: [[Seán MacBride Peace Prize]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ipb.org/sean-macbride-peace-prize/ |title=Seán MacBride Peace Prize |publisher=[[International Peace Bureau]] }}</ref>
*2003: [[Seán MacBride Peace Prize]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ipb.org/sean-macbride-peace-prize/ |title=Seán MacBride Peace Prize |publisher=[[International Peace Bureau]] }}</ref>
*2010: [[Man of Peace|Award for Social Activism]] from the [[World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2024 |title=Japanese atomic bomb survivor organisation Nihon Hidankyo wins Nobel Peace Prize: All you need to know |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/nobel-peace-prize-goes-to-japanese-organization-nihon-hidankyo-9615409/ |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
*2010: [[Man of Peace|Award for Social Activism]] from the [[World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2024 |title=Japanese atomic bomb survivor organisation Nihon Hidankyo wins Nobel Peace Prize: All you need to know |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/nobel-peace-prize-goes-to-japanese-organization-nihon-hidankyo-9615409/ |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
*2024: [[Nobel Peace Prize]]<ref name="NobelPrizeorg-2024" /> <ref>{{Cite news |last=Leussink & Wang |first=Daniel, Irene |date=October 13, 2024 |title=In Hiroshima peace park, visitors hope Nobel win will boost peace efforts |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/10/13/japan/hiroshima-nobel-reaction/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=The Japan Times}}</ref>
*2024: [[Nobel Peace Prize]]<ref name="NobelPrizeorg-2024" />
Before being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Nihon Hidankyo was also nominated in 1985, 1994 and 2015 by the Swiss-based [[International Peace Bureau]] (IPB).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2015/08/01/commentary/atomic-bomb-survivors-nominated-nobel-prize/#.Vdtc7yWqqkp |title=Atomic bomb survivors nominated for Nobel prize |work=[[The Japan Times]] |first1=Jeff |last1=Kingston |date=2015-08-01 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Before being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Nihon Hidankyo was also nominated in 1985, 1994 and 2015 by the Swiss-based [[International Peace Bureau]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2015/08/01/commentary/atomic-bomb-survivors-nominated-nobel-prize/#.Vdtc7yWqqkp |title=Atomic bomb survivors nominated for Nobel prize |work=[[The Japan Times]] |first1=Jeff |last1=Kingston |date=2015-08-01 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 79: Line 82:
{{sisterlinks|d=Q1989908|c=Category:Nihon Hidankyo|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
{{sisterlinks|d=Q1989908|c=Category:Nihon Hidankyo|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
* [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/ Nihon Hidankyō]
* [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/ Nihon Hidankyō]
* [https://www.un.org/disarmament/content/slideshow/hibakusha/ HIBAKUSHA – Atomic Bomb Survivors]
* [https://education.unoda.org/presentations/hibakusha.html HIBAKUSHA – Atomic Bomb Survivors]
* [https://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=8885 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Statements]
* [https://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=8885 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Statements]
* {{Nobelprize}}
* {{Nobelprize}}
Line 93: Line 96:
[[Category:Organizations established in 1956]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1956]]
[[Category:1956 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:1956 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Nobel Peace Prize laureates]]
[[Category:Organizations awarded Nobel Peace Prizes]]
[[Category:Japanese Nobel laureates]]
[[Category:Japanese Nobel laureates]]

Latest revision as of 23:03, 17 October 2024

Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations
Founded10 August 1956; 68 years ago (1956-08-10)
FocusAbolition of nuclear weapons
HeadquartersShibadaimon, Minato, Tokyo
Area served
Japan
MethodLobbying
Executive director
Sueichi Kido
Websitewww.ne.jp/asahi/hidankyo/nihon/english/index.html

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (日本原水爆被害者団体協議会, Nihon gensuibaku higaisha dantai kyōgi-kai), often shortened to Nihon Hidankyō (日本被団協, Nihon Hidankyō), is a group that represents survivors (known as hibakusha) of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was formed in 1956.

Nihon Hidankyō lobbies both the Japanese government for improved support of the victims and governments worldwide for the abolition of nuclear weapons.[1] Their activities included recording thousands of witness accounts, issuing resolutions and public appeals, and sending annual delegations to various international organisations, including the United Nations, to advocate for global nuclear disarmament.[2]

The organisation was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize "for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again".[2][3]

History

[edit]
Nihon Hidankyo's secretary general Terumi Tanaka speaking to youth about surviving the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima at a UN event in Vienna in 2007

Nihon Hidankyo is a nation-wide organisation formed by survivor groups of atomic bomb victims from Hiroshima and Nagasaki in each prefecture.[4] The fallout from Castle Bravo, a thermonuclear weapon test conducted at Bikini Atoll by the United States in 1954, caused acute radiation syndrome in residents of neighbouring atolls and 23 crew members of the Japanese fishing vessel Daigo Fukuryū Maru. This led to the formation of the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs in Hiroshima the following year.[5] Inspired and supported by this movement, atomic bomb survivors established Nihon Hidankyo on 10 August 1956, at the second annual conference of the council in Nagasaki.[6]

However, the movement's solidarity was jeopardised when the council became actively involved in the anti-U.S.-Japan Security Treaty movement alongside the left-leaning Japan Socialist Party in 1959.[7] A large number of supporters withdrew from the council, and with the support of the conservative Liberal Democrats, a new organisation, led by Masatoshi Matsushita, leader of the staunchly anti-communist Democratic Socialist Party, was established.[8] In 1961, when the Soviet Union resumed nuclear tests, the communist wing of the council refused to denounce them, which led to severe internal tension.[9] This led to a further split in the movement, with a Japan Socialist Party-backed group that denounces nuclear tests by any nation breaking away as a new council.[10] These tensions within anti-nuclear movements caused some prefectural Hidankyos to split at the local level as well, such as in Hiroshima, where there are both Socialist Party-backed and Communist Party-backed Hidankyos with the same name. The nationwide organisation itself decided not to align with any political movements in 1965, after they became highly politicised.[4]

Activities

[edit]

As of October 2024, Nihon Hidankyo's activities include:[11]

  • Advocacy for the abolition of nuclear weapons and demands for state compensations
  • Petitioning actions towards the Japanese government, the United Nations and other governments
  • Elimination and removal of nuclear weapons, establishment of an international treaty for nuclear disarmament, holding of international conferences, enactment of non-nuclear laws and enhancement of hibakusha support measures
  • Raising awareness of the realities of the atomic bombings both domestically and internationally
  • Research, study, publication, exhibitions and gatherings on atomic bomb damage
  • Consultation and support activities for hibakusha

Key figures

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Current officials

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Co-chairs

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  • Terumi Tanaka: Exposed to radiation 3.2 km away from the Nagasaki hypocentre at the age of 13; assumed office on 14 June 2017[12]
  • Shigemitsu Tanaka: Exposed to radiation 6 km away from the Nagasaki hypocentre at the age of 4;[13] assumed office on 14 June 2018[12]
  • Toshiyuki Mimaki[14]: Exposed to radiation at his home in Hiroshima at the age of 3;[13] assumed office on 9 June 2022[15]

Secretary general

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  • Sueichi Kido: Exposed to radiation in Nagasaki at the age of 5; assumed office on 7 June 2017[15]

Assistant secretaries general

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Former officials

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  • Sumiteru Taniguchi: Severely injured by the Nagasaki bomb 1.8 km away from the hypocentre at the age of 16; co-chairperson until his death on 20 August 2017[18]
  • Takeshi Ito: Born in Hiroshima City. Ito was exposed to the atomic bomb during his third year at the former Hiroshima Prefectural First Middle School; co-chairperson until his death on 3 March 2000.
  • Sunao Tsuboi: Severely injured by the Hiroshima bomb 1.5 km away from the hypocentre at the age of 20; co-chairperson until his death on 24 October 2021[19]
  • Mikiso Iwasa: Severely injured by the Hiroshima bomb at his home 1.2 km away from the hypocentre at the age of 16; co-chairperson until his death on 7 September 2020[20]

Honors

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Before being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Nihon Hidankyo was also nominated in 1985, 1994 and 2015 by the Swiss-based International Peace Bureau.[24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Welcome to HIDANKYO". Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization (Nihon Hidankyo) website. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "The Nobel Peace Prize 2024 – Press release". NobelPrize.org. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo of survivors of the World War II atomic bombings". The Telegraph (India). 11 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b "被団協機能不全に 「はっちゃん」の努力 原爆を背負って(42)". 西日本新聞me (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  5. ^ "ヒロシマの記録１９５５ ９月" [Hiroshima Records of September 1955]. 中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  6. ^ "被爆者の願いの実現をめざして、どのような運動をしてきたか" [What tyWhat kind of campaigns have been carried out to realize the wishes of atomic bomb survivors?]. www.ne.jp (in Japanese). 日本被団協. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  7. ^ "ヒロシマの記録１９５９ ３月" [Hiroshima Records of March 1959]. 中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  8. ^ "ヒロシマの記録１９６１ １１月" [Hiroshima Records of November 1961]. 中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  9. ^ "ヒロシマの記録１９６１ ９月" [Hiroshima Records of September 1961]. 中国新聞ヒロシマ平和メディアセンター (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  10. ^ "原水禁とは – 原水禁" [What is Gensuikin?]. 原水禁 – 核と人類は共存できない. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  11. ^ "紹介" [Introduction]. www.ne.jp (in Japanese). 日本被団協. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  12. ^ a b "被団協 代表委員に田中重光氏 総会で選出 故谷口氏の" [Shigemitsu Tanaka elected as representative committee member of the Hidankyo at general meeting, succeeding the late Mr. Taniguchi]. 長崎新聞 (in Japanese). 15 June 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  13. ^ a b "広島の声 – 広島・長崎の記憶～被爆者からのメッセージ" [Voices of Hiroshima: Memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – Messages from atomic bomb survivors]. www.asahi.com. The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Japan's Nihon Hidankyo, organization of atomic bomb survivors, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize". CBC News. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  15. ^ a b "日本被団協の代表委員に箕牧さん 大きな壁に挑む新たな「顔」" [Minomaki appointed as representative committee member of the Japan Confederation of A-bomb Victims Organizations: A new "face" tackling a big challenge]. 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "welcome to HIDANKYO in Japanese". www.ne.jp. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  17. ^ "First reactions. Telephone interview, October 2024". NobelPrize.org. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Nagasaki atomic bomb survivor Sumiteru Taniguchi dies at 88". BBC. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Sunao Tsuboi: Campaigning Hiroshima survivor dies aged 96". BBC. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Anti-nuclear crusader Mikiso Iwasa dies at the age of 91". The Asahi Shimbun. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Seán MacBride Peace Prize". International Peace Bureau.
  22. ^ "Japanese atomic bomb survivor organisation Nihon Hidankyo wins Nobel Peace Prize: All you need to know". The Indian Express. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  23. ^ Leussink & Wang, Daniel, Irene (13 October 2024). "In Hiroshima peace park, visitors hope Nobel win will boost peace efforts". The Japan Times. Retrieved 15 October 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Kingston, Jeff (1 August 2015). "Atomic bomb survivors nominated for Nobel prize". The Japan Times.
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