Your Majesties,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee,
Distinguished guests,
Friends around the world fighting for the abolition of nuclear weapons,

Thank you for the introduction. My name is Terumi Tanaka, one of the representative committee members of Nihon Hidankyo. I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the laureate, Nihon Hidankyo.

We founded the Japan Confederation of Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb Victims Organization in August 1956. Atomic bomb survivors have sought to avoid a repetition of suffering from historically unprecedented inhumane treatment, as well as uphold two basic demands and further progress the movement.

First, we oppose the claim of “citizens must endure the sufferings of war” as put forward by the Japanese government. Atomic bomb victims should be compensated by countries that have started and actively participated in the war. Second, since nuclear weapons are exceedingly inhumane weapons meant for slaughter, humanity should not coexist with these weapons. We urge the swift abolition of nuclear weapons. 

There is no doubt that this campaign played a significant role in establishing the “nuclear taboo.” However, even today, 12,000 nuclear warheads still exist on this Earth, with 4,000 able to be launched immediately. These possibilities include how the nuclear superpower Russia, entrenched in the Ukraine War, has made threats using its nuclear weapons and how cabinet ministers of Israel often mention the usage of nuclear weapons in its persistent attacks on the Gaza Strip. With the addition of civilian victims, I feel boundless regret and anger for such a flout of the “nuclear taboo.”

I am one of the victims of the Nagasaki atomic bomb. I was 13 years old, at home, around 3 kilometers east of ground zero. On August 9th of 1945, I suddenly heard the sound of a bomber. And a moment after, I was in a bright light. I was surprised by the light and the sound, and ran downstairs. Immediately after I covered my eyes and ears and fell down, a strong shock wave passed through me. I had no recollection after that, but I noticed that I was under a large glass door. But it was a miracle that none of the glass had been broken. I was saved with nearly no injuries.

I could only see the disaster caused by the Nagasaki atomic bomb three days after when I visited to inquire about the well-being of two of my aunts who lived in the area at the center of the explosion. My mother and I took a detour around a small hill before finally reaching the peak. We were astonished by what we saw as we overlooked the area. The blackened ruins spread to the harbor about three kilometers away, and Urakami Cathedral, the largest brick church in the East, collapsed and disappeared.

All the houses along the way down to the foot were burned down, and bodies were left around them. People still alive with serious injuries and burns were left with no one to help. I lost my emotion, numbed my mind of humanity, and just headed for my destination.

The charred body of one aunt with her grandson was found, 400 meters from the hypocenter. The other aunt’s house collapsed and became a pile of wood. My grandfather was crouching on the verge of death from a severe burn. My aunt was burned and died just before we arrived, and we cremated her in the field. My uncle, who was almost unharmed, had left the scene in search of help, but collapsed at the rescue site and died after suffering from a high fever for about a week. One atomic bomb transformed five of my relatives and cruelly killed them all at once. 

(Translated by: Gina Lin and Nanami Harashima)

People faced unspeakable deaths at the time as hundreds of people were left to suffer without assistance or treatment.  Even in times of war, I strongly believe that people should not have been killed and harmed in this manner.  

The atomic bomb in Nagasaki was dropped and exploded 600 meters above ground.  Half of the energy released produced shock waves that crushed houses and 35% generated a heat ray that severely burned people outside and burned down collapsed houses.  Many people died due to being crushed and burned from collapsing houses that were set ablaze.  The remaining 15% of the bomb's energy produced radiation such as neutron and gamma beams that pierced and destroyed people's bodies from the inside which led to their deaths or caused diseases related to atomic bomb radiation.  

The death toll by the end of the year was estimated to be 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki. About 40,000 people suffered injuries from the explosion as well as radiation exposure.  

For seven years after the bomb, survivors were silenced by the U.S. occupation army.  Furthermore, the victims were abandoned by the Japanese government.  This led victims to endure prejudice and discrimination for ten years, leaving them to suffer from sickness and face hardships in life alone.  

On March 1st, 1954, a major incident occurred on Bikini Atoll where Japanese fishing boats were exposed to radioactive fallout or “ash of death” from experimental hydrogen bombs conducted by the U.S.  Amongst the boats was the “Daigo Fukuryu Maru” where all passengers were exposed to radiation and suffered from acute radiation sickness.  In addition to this, the captured tuna were wasted as a result of the radiation.

This incident became the catalyst for the widespread movement in Japan to prohibit atomic and hydrogen bomb testing.  The movement gained over 30 million signatures and in August of 1955,  the “World Conference against atomic and hydrogen bomb” was held in Hiroshima and in Nagasaki the following year.  

Motivated by this campaign, Nihon Hidankyo was formed on August 10, 1956 by the atomic bomb victims who participated in the conference.  To show our resolve, we declared, “We will be saving ourselves as well as saving humanity through our experience”.  Our movement seeks for the abolition of nuclear weapons and compensation from the nation for victims.  

As a result of the campaign, the “A-Bomb Survivors Medical Treatment Law” was enacted in 1957. However, the law only issued “Atomic Bombs Survivor Certificates” and offered free medical examinations to the affected individuals. Furthermore, medical bills were paid only for the atomic bomb-related illnesses recognized by the minister of health and welfare. The “Law Concerning Special Measures for A-Bomb Sufferers”was enacted in 1968, providing the victims with financial support in various recompensations. However, this was only part of the social security system, and the national compensation for the victims was still stubbornly rejected.

In 1985, we, the Nihon Hindankyo, have conducted a survey of atomic bomb victims. This survey revealed that the atrocities of the atomic bombing have caused victims to suffer loss of lives, bodily and mental injuries, and diminished quality of livelihood. The bombing took away lives; it caused trauma to the physical body and to the spiritual mind; it robbed victims of the ability to work due to illnesses and prejudice. This survey strongly attested to the basic needs of the atomic bomb victims, that this ghastly atrocity that scarred them must not be repeated towards anybody in this world.

(Translated by: Juri Yamamoto and Tszyu Ling)

In December 1994, these two laws were combined, thus enacting the so-called “law in support of atomic bombing victims”. However, not one provision was included to compensate the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives, and the government of Japan remains steadfast in limiting its aid to radiation damage only. I repeat, and would like to make clear the reality that to this day, the Japanese government has offered no recompense to those who perished from the atomic explosions.

For a long time these laws disregarded victims living abroad, regardless of their nationality. Some Koreans moved back to their motherland after the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan, and many others moved to America, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada. These people carried diseases specific to atomic bomb victims and suffered due to a lack of knowledge of the side effects of the bomb.  

We collaborated in solidarity with organizations of atomic bomb victims in these countries and, by appealing their cases in trials, established support similar to what we offer in my home country.

We have been strongly requesting that all countries mobilize to expedite the abolition of nuclear weapons. 

In 1977, the International Symposium on the Damage and After-effects of the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was held in Japan by the United Nations. Here, the adverse effects of atomic explosions on humans was made apparent. It so happened that the risk of nuclear warfare in Europe was rising at this time, leading to demonstrations attracting hundreds of thousands in these countries. Hidankyo was called upon to give its testimonial there.

At both of the United Nations Special Sessions of Disarmament held at the New York UN Headquarters in 1978 and 1982, around 40 representatives from Hidankyo participated in the conference to address as well as testify for the abolishment of nuclear weapons. At the review meeting for the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and its Preparatory Committee, Hidankyo was able to secure opportunities to speak up, and at the same time create an atomic bomb exhibition at the UN General Assembly lobby during the course of the Reconsideration Meeting, producing significant results regarding spreading awareness about Nuclear Weapons.

At the 2012 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference Preparatory Committee, the Norwegian government recommended the organization of the Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. As a result, in three meetings since 2013, atomic bombing victims gave their testimonials, which later developed into negotiations for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

In April of 2016, Hidankyo proposed the holding of The International Signature Campaign in Support of the Appeal of the Hibakusha for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons which atomic bomb victims around the world were also urging forward. This campaign, which became very widespread and got more than 13.7 million signatures, was submitted to the UN. July 7, 2017, following the support of 122 different countries, the TPNW was established. It was a big victory for us.

Our heartfelt desire is not for a world balanced upon the doctrine of nuclear deterrence, built on the premise of retaining and using nuclear weapons, but for one in which their possession is unequivocally prohibited.

Try to imagine this. There are 4000 nuclear weapons that could be fired immediately. These weapons could do a hundredfold or even a thousandfold of destruction just like that. We must understand that we could be the next victims, or possibly even the attackers using these weapons. This is why it is crucial to discuss with and urge the world on how we can get rid of these weapons.

Presently, the average age of atomic bombing victims is 85 years. Ten years from now, it is conceivable that there will be few left who can provide first-hand testimonials of their experiences. It is our hope that the next generation exercises its ingenuity in continuing what we have started.

There is one particularly important reference I would like to highlight; that is the “No More Hibakusha Project - Inheriting Memories of the Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb Sufferers”, an NPO that’s worked closely with the Hidankyo to preserve records of the Hibakusha movement and testimonies of survivors. 

For nearly 15 years, the said organization has persistently devoted their efforts to archiving the Grassroots Movements, activities, and testimonies of Hibakusha groups across regions. I hope that such efforts will bring our communities a step forward in utilizing these archives, sharing our message to the world. I believe that our organization is one that devotes efforts to spreading the tragic reality of the atomic bombings, and I am confident that our endeavors will soon expand beyond our borders.

To all nations across the world: please consider an opportunity(place?) for atomic bomb survivors to share their experiences; For a place for people to truly understand the inhumanity of nuclear weapons; For a place for all people to establish an emotional obligation of the universalization of the “Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.” We hope that citizens of armed nations and their allied countries will come to understand that nuclear weapons cannot and must not coexist with humanity. Our unity will(must) demand changes in government nuclear policies. 

Let us ensure that humanity does not bring about its own destruction through nuclear weapons.

And let us work together for a world free of both nuclear weapons and war. 

(Translated by: Kento Kanai, Mei Fukushima, Carlos Takeshita)