Survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki view the recent Nobel Peace Prize as a renewed motivation to advocate for nuclear disarmament, especially with the 80th anniversary of the 1945 attacks approaching.

Terumi Tanaka, a 92-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki bombing on Aug. 9, 1945, expressed his determination to intensify his efforts toward disarmament. Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's atomic bomb survivors' organization, Tanaka highlighted the significance of the upcoming milestone.

Tanaka, who co-chairs Nihon Hidankyo and formerly taught materials engineering, emphasized the importance of focusing on the next decade to bolster the movement. He aspires to spearhead a widespread campaign of survivor testimonials and urged Japan to lead the push for nuclear disarmament.

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As the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings, Tanaka believes Japan has a unique responsibility to take a stand against nuclear weapons. He plans to challenge Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who supports nuclear deterrence, during a scheduled meeting in January. Despite survivors' calls, Japan remains under the U.S. nuclear umbrella and has yet to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Michiko Kodama, another survivor who endured the Hiroshima bombing three days prior to Nagasaki, expressed gratitude for the Nobel recognition. Kodama, who was 7 years old at the time, acknowledged the struggles survivors faced, including discrimination and health concerns caused by radiation. She stressed the need to educate others about the catastrophic effects of nuclear weapons before survivors can no longer share their experiences firsthand.

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Founded nearly 70 years ago, Nihon Hidankyo has consistently campaigned to stigmatize nuclear weapons. The atomic bombings by the United States killed approximately 140,000 people in Hiroshima and another 70,000 in Nagasaki. Japan's surrender on Aug. 15 marked the end of World War II, which began with Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor during its bid to dominate Asia.