TOKYO — Empress Masako of Japan expressed her thoughts on the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, an organization comprising survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. She noted that this recognition was a significant event of the year, highlighting the ongoing importance of efforts geared toward global peace.
Masako, married to Emperor Naruhito, reflected on the anguish experienced by the survivors and acknowledged the long-standing struggles of those advocating for nuclear disarmament. In a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency in honor of her 61st birthday, she emphasized the necessity for people around the world to pursue greater understanding and collaborate towards constructing a peaceful society.
Her comments were made ahead of Tuesday’s Nobel prize award ceremony in Oslo, where a group of 30 atomic bombing survivors is scheduled to attend. The organization Hidankyo was recognized for its long-term activism against nuclear weapons, and these survivors, often referred to as hibakusha, view this accolade as a crucial opportunity to convey their message to subsequent generations.
Among those attending is Terumi Tanaka, a 91-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki bombing. Upon arriving in Oslo, he shared his intention to speak about the survivors’ campaign and advocate for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons. “I plan to make an even stronger plea for what hibakusha have sought and convey our hope for the younger generations to take over,” Tanaka remarked.
He expressed his concern that the tribulations endured by hibakusha are not widely recognized and emphasized the urgency of raising awareness about the path to a world free of nuclear arms. The bombings during World War II had devastating effects, with the Hiroshima bombing claiming an estimated 140,000 lives and the attack on Nagasaki resulting in an additional 70,000 deaths. Japan subsequently surrendered on August 15, thus concluding World War II and its decades of aggressive actions in Asia, which were supposedly carried out in the name of Emperor Hirohito, Naruhito’s grandfather.
Empress Masako, who has a background as a diplomat and holds degrees from Harvard, has faced challenges related to adjustment disorder since 2003. This condition arose shortly after the birth of Princess Aiko, the couple’s only child, amidst considerable public pressure for the imperial couple to have a male heir. While she has made several public appearances this year, royal physicians have advised that she requires time to recuperate following significant events or busy schedules.
It’s noteworthy that the 1947 Imperial House Law enforces traditional family values, permitting only males to ascend to the throne and requiring female members who marry outside the royal family to relinquish their titles.
