Hiroshima locals say Nobel win for atomic bomb survivors 'a great thing': Video
Residents of Hiroshima have expressed pride and hope after Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organisation representing atomic bomb survivors, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.
The award is seen as an opportunity to amplify Hiroshima’s long-standing anti-nuclear message on a global scale.
Kiyoharu Bajo, a 69-year-old retired business consultant, described the news as surprising but monumental. "It's a great thing," he told the AFP, adding that the prize comes at an important moment, with global nuclear threats looming due to conflicts like the Ukraine war and tensions in the Middle East.
"Hiroshima citizens have been spreading the anti-nuclear message for more than half a century, but unless it’s known worldwide, it won’t have the impact we need. In this sense, the prize provides a good opportunity," Bajo remarked.
Susumu Ogawa, 84, who lost several family members in the Hiroshima bombing, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the need for global nuclear disarmament. "All nuclear weapons in the world have to be abandoned," he said.
Visitors to Hiroshima also spoke on the importance of the award. Vojtech Tichy, a 33-year-old tourist from the Czech Republic, expressed concern over the recurring nature of global conflicts. "Seeing these monuments reminds us of this horrific tragedy, but wars continue, like in Ukraine and Israel. I'm afraid something like this could happen again," he said, lamenting humanity’s tendency to repeat historical mistakes.
Cathy Watson, a 60-year-old nurse from Australia visiting Hiroshima with her husband, noted the relevance of the prize in light of ongoing conflicts. "I think it’s really important, especially considering what’s happening in the Middle East," she said. "People don’t seem to learn from the past, but it’s wonderful that the survivors have received this recognition."
On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States detonated atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki killing an estimated 80,000 people.
