S/ Tanaka Terumi, Nihon Hidankyo Co-chairperson:

One atomic bomb transformed five of my family members into unrecognizable forms and took their lives in an instant. It was a state that could hardly be called a human death. Even in war, such killing and injuring should never happen. I felt this strongly at the time.

During the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony on December 10, Tanaka emphasized the inhumanity of nuclear weapons through his experiences as a survivor.

He reiterated that “nuclear weapons cannot coexist with humanity” and called for their abolition.

S/ Tanaka Terumi, Nihon Hidankyo Co-chairperson:

The heartfelt wish of atomic bomb survivors is that not a single nuclear weapon should be possessed.

Furthermore, given the aging of the survivors, Tanaka expressed hope that the movement for nuclear disarmament would be carried on by the next generation. 

After his speech, Tanaka received a standing ovation from the audience.

Following the ceremony, he shared his joy, saying, “I was also moved.”