At a press conference in Oslo, Tanaka, who is 92 years old, spoke just one day prior to his lecture on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, which consists of survivors from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and was honored with this prestigious award.
When asked if he had a message for Putin, Tanaka remarked that the Russian president’s ongoing nuclear threats made him believe that Putin does not fully grasp the catastrophic impact that nuclear warfare incurs. He emphasized that his organization’s communication to Putin—one that has been directed to the leader himself—asserts that “nuclear weapons must never be used.”
Tanaka expressed concern that Putin might not have reflected on the true consequences of such weapons, allowing him to express these threats. He emphasized the importance of transforming the leader’s understanding to truly convey the devastating nature of nuclear arms.
The first atomic attack by the U.S. resulted in approximately 140,000 deaths in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. A subsequent bombing in Nagasaki three days later caused around 70,000 fatalities, leading to Japan’s surrender on August 15 and marking the end of World War II.
According to Japan’s Kyodo news agency, Tanaka was just 13 years old and living in Nagasaki at the time of the bombing. Although he personally escaped major injuries, he tragically lost five family members and vividly recalls the horrifying sights of charred bodies amidst the ruins of his city.
The chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, stated when presenting the award that it served to highlight the escalating pressures against the nuclear weapons taboo.
The committee observed that instead of moving towards disarmament, countries with nuclear capabilities are modernizing their stockpiles, while other nations seem poised to develop their own nuclear capabilities. The committee also remarked on the rising number of threats to employ nuclear weapons in current conflicts, likely referencing Russia’s statements related to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The aging members of the Japanese organization are calling for the complete abolition of nuclear arms, directing their plea not only towards Russia but also towards the United States.
Tanaka emphasized that, despite their age, the survivors feel a significant sense of obligation to remind the world about the immense destruction caused by nuclear weapons. “Nuclear weapons and humanity cannot coexist,” he declared firmly.
Meanwhile, in Japan, Empress Masako expressed on Monday that the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo represents a vital milestone this year, underscoring the urgency of global peace initiatives.
In her statement, she reiterated the crucial need for people worldwide to pursue mutual understanding and collaborative efforts towards building a peaceful future.
