The Hibakusha Testimonies
Nobel Peace Prize, Oslo 2024
“Our deepest desire as survivors of the atomic bombs is that humanity will reject a
policy of deterrence that presupposes both the existence and use of nuclear weapons,
in favor of a world where no one is allowed to possess such weapons. […]
Therefore, I am asking that everyone around the world must participate in the
conversation about how we can abolish nuclear weapons, and that we must demand action
from our governments to achieve this goal.”
Terumi Tanaka, co-director of Nihon Hidankyo
Hibakusha is a word of Japanese origin generally designating the people affected by the atomic bombings
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.
the red sky in the sunset, I remember the scene that time, and then I just apologize in my mind. I hate the burning red sky in the evening”
“We are honored to feature your powerful portraits of Hibakushas in one of our exhibition rooms. These portraits serve as a profound reminder of the devastating and lasting impact of nuclear weapons.
Despite a reduction in the number of nuclear warheads since the Cold War, the destructive capacity of modern arsenals far exceeds that of earlier bombs, and the threat of their use remains ever-present. Your work brings attention to the personal stories of those who survived these atrocities, emphasizing the continued danger nuclear weapons pose to humanity and the future of global security.”
Lara A. Chiavarini
Manager
International Museum for Democracy
