Hiroshima’s peace park visitors are hopeful that Friday’s Nobel Peace Prize for Japan’s atomic bomb survivors would boost efforts for world peace.
They also hope that this would spur world leaders to visit the site.
What Did The Norwegian Nobel Committee Recognize?
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize to the Nihon Hidankyo group, representing survivors of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The Committee gave the prize for the group’s decades-long efforts to abolish nuclear weapons.
Japan Must Ensure That The Same Thing Does Not Recur
“As Japanese people, we need to ensure that the same thing doesn’t happen again,” Ui Torisawa, a young student who was visiting the Park, said.
“Since Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, I think Japan is probably in the best position to stop that.”
Debate About Nuclear Weapons
August next year will mark the 80th anniversary of the bombings.
It is likely to draw focus on the legacy of its survivors, known as “hibakusha”, and could set off a renewed debate about nuclear weapons.
A Groundbreaking Decision
Yasuhiro Suzuki, who was visiting the Peace Memorial Park called it “groundbreaking” that the group representing the atomic bomb survivors was awarded the Nobel Peace Price.
He had come with his wife, son and daughter from Fukuoka prefecture in southwest Japan.
“Nuclear power is incredibly beneficial to the world, but we must be careful not to misuse it,” Suzuki said.
“I hope this becomes an opportunity for people around the world to think about various aspects of this issue.”
More World Leaders Must Visit The Park
Hiroshima’s peace park has long drawn not just Japanese visitors but also foreigners, including world leaders such as Barack Obama.
In 2016, Obama who spoke at the site and hugged a tearful hibakusha.
“I believe there are still many prime ministers and leaders
in the world who could come (to Japan), and I hope they will
make the effort to visit,” said Hiroshima resident Hirokazu
Tanabe.
Hirokazu, a driver had came to the park to show around a friend.
U.S. Must Apologise For The Bombings
Many Japanese feel the U.S. should apologise for the bombings, which killed hundreds of thousands and prompted Japan’s surrender days later.
Japan has since relied on the U.S. for protection, renouncing the right to wage war and defining its military as only for self-defence.
Young Japanese Student Hails The Decision Of The Nobel Committee
Twenty-two-year-old student Ayane Takiguchi, who visited the park with Torisawa, said it was an honour the group representing atomic bomb victims was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
“I am studying education, and I’ve recently recognised the importance of achieving peace through education,” she said.
Ayane said, “In that sense, I’m happy that this has such a big impact.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
