The Nobel Peace Prize for Nihon Hidankyo received. “A clear and direct message to Putin and Kim Jong Un”

The atomic bombs were intended to force Japan to surrender immediately, and they terrified the world with the destruction they wreaked. Hiroshima, August 6, 1945 – it was the first use of this type of weapon in an armed conflict in the history of mankind. Three days later, the second American atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. For almost 80 years, efforts have been made to ensure that no one will use this weapon again.

– I deeply believe that nuclear weapons cannot protect life or property. Defense is not about protecting territory, but about valuing and enriching people's lives. For this reason, I believe that the use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable, says Terumi Tanaka, representative of the Nihon Hidankyo organization.

Terumi Tanaka was 13 years old when the atomic bomb leveled Nagasaki. Together with other survivors, he is active in the Nihon Hidankyo organization. For their efforts towards a world free of nuclear weapons, they were awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. The Norwegian Nobel Committee says directly: they are the laureates, but the recipients of this decision are Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin.

– This is not a disguised message. This is a clear and direct message to Putin and Kim Jong Un that threatening humanity with the use of nuclear weapons is shameful and should never take place in a civilized and experienced world, emphasizes Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

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After launching the invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin continues to try to intimidate Kiev's Western allies. – For some reason, the West believes that Russia will never use nuclear weapons. We have a nuclear doctrine, look what it says. If someone's actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we can use all means at our disposal, the Russian leader said on June 5 this year.

Three weeks ago, Putin signed an update to the Russian nuclear doctrine, which lowers the declared threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and lists additional situations in which Moscow can justify using its nuclear arsenal.

– I don't think President Putin has ever really considered or understood what nuclear weapons are and what kind of ammunition they are against people. The biggest challenge is how we can change his way of thinking and whether we can achieve it, says Terumi Tanaka.

Looking at how Putin is ruining Ukraine, it is difficult to expect that the images of World War II and the effects of atomic explosions would appeal to him.

The “Little Boy” bomb exploded over 500 meters above Hiroshima. 90 percent of the city immediately fell to ruins. In a few seconds, 80,000 inhabitants died. The temperature reached 3,500 degrees Celsius. Rubble and people burst into flames. Some people, unable to bear the effects of the attack, committed suicide. Some estimates say that a total of up to 400,000 people may have died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki – directly as a result of the attack and due to radiation-related diseases.

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“Even though the current nuclear weapons situation is evolving and even worsening, I hope this award will lead us to improvement and progress to achieve breakthrough decisions,” says Terumi Tanaka.

It is estimated that there are currently over 12,000 nuclear warheads in the world. 90 percent of them are in the hands of Moscow and Washington.