Hibakusha Peace Journey
2025-07-10 03:33:01

A Journey Towards Peace: Japan's Hibakusha Group and the Nobel Peace Prize

Exploring a Significant Journey Towards Peace



On July 26, 2025, Tokyo will host an important event aimed at reflecting on the post-war era, marking 80 years since Japan's surrender in World War II. The Tokyo-based cooperative, Palsystem Tokyo, will connect its headquarters in Shinjuku with Hiroshima to examine the impact of atomic bombings and the ongoing fight for nuclear disarmament. This event features insightful discussions led by two prominent figures: Tomoyuki Mimaki, a representative of the Japan Confederation of A-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hibakusha Kyogikai), and Shunsuke Taga, a peace guide who has dedicated his life to educating about peace in Hiroshima. With an increasing number of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) passing away, their voices become more crucial than ever to relay the horrors of nuclear warfare and the urgent need for a world without such weapons.

The Conversation on Nuclear Disarmament



Mimaki, who was just three years old when Hiroshima was bombed, vividly recalls feeling the weight of responsibility to ensure that the stories of survivors and their experiences do not fade from collective memory. The Japan Hibakusha group has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, recognized for their efforts advocating for nuclear weapons eradication and shedding light on the profound effects of atomic warfare upon survivors and future generations.

During the event, Mimaki will share the harrowing journey of his peers who lived through the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki—where 210,000 lives were instantly lost in the bombings. The hibakusha have faced not only physical suffering but also stigma and isolation due to discrimination, making their call for nuclear disarmament even more urgent and poignant. They strive to ensure that no one else experiences the same pain and anguish, arguing emphatically that humanity cannot coexist with nuclear weapons. This sentiment drives their outreach to both domestic and global audiences, reinforcing the idea of shared humanity.

Following Mimaki's address, Shunsuke Taga will engage attendees further by presenting the realities of the catastrophic consequences that accompany the use of nuclear weapons. Having worked as a teacher in Hiroshima for several years, he is committed to instilling awareness and educating younger generations about the grave repercussions of war and the importance of peace education. With the average age of hibakusha being 86 years, opportunities to hear first-hand accounts are diminishing. Hence, it is vital for each individual to consider their role in fostering peace and preventing future calamities.

Facilitating the Event



The event will be guided by Kuniko Watanabe, the Director of the NPO ANT-Hiroshima, who will facilitate discussions connecting participants’ voices from Tokyo to Hiroshima. She emphasizes the importance of grassroots engagement in promoting peace, inviting participants to share their thoughts and concerns, thus creating a bridge between past experiences and future actions.

Event Details



The event, titled "Considering 80 Years Since the End of War: The Road to the Nobel Peace Prize," will take place between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM on July 26, 2025. It will be held at the Palsystem Tokyo Shinjuku headquarters. The event is free, with capacity limited to 50 in-person attendees and 300 participating online. Registration is required, with a deadline for in-person attendees set for July 16, 2025, and for online participants by the morning of the event.

As we approach the International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, the role of community organizations like Palsystem Tokyo becomes more significant in fostering dialogues about peace. As the organizing body, they seek not only to raise awareness but also to encourage collaborative efforts toward building a peaceful world devoid of nuclear weaponry. This event serves as a crucial reminder of the need for continuous engagement with and understanding of historical events that have shaped our society, calling for reflection and active participation in preventing the repetition of the past.

Location: Palsystem Tokyo, 7F Conference Room, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Additional Information: For more details, interested individuals can visit Palsystem Tokyo's official website.


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Topics People & Culture)

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