Sign in Subscribe
Atomic bombs

Japanese Atomic Bomb Survivors Group Criticizes US President's Nuclear Testing Directive

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Japanese atomic bomb survivors group, Nihon Hidankyo, has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump's surprise directive to begin nuclear weapons testing, calling it "utterly unacceptable." The group, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, expressed concern that the directive contradicts the efforts of nations striving for a peaceful world without nuclear weapons. The directive has also been condemned by the Mayor of Nagasaki, who questioned Trump's worthiness for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 200,000 people were killed when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Japan's Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
  • Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of hibakusha, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 and called on countries to abolish nuclear weapons.
  • Two other atomic bomb survivor groups based in Hiroshima issued statements of protest, saying that no nuclear experiments should be conducted.
  • The US dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in around 214,000 deaths, including many from radiation exposure.
  • The United States has not conducted nuclear test explosions since 1992.
  • Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, despite his directive to begin nuclear testing.
  • The Mayor of Nagasaki questioned Trump's worthiness for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying that conducting nuclear tests would make him unworthy.

Statistics:

  • Over 200,000 people were killed in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
  • Around 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki, including many from radiation exposure.
  • The United States has not conducted nuclear test explosions since 1992.
  • 2,024 (approximate number of years since the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki)

Sources:

  • AFP (reported by), "Survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki blast Trump's nuclear testing plans," Nov. 1.
  • The New Nation, "Japanese atomic bomb survivors group criticizes US President Trump's nuclear testing plan," (exact publication date not specified).

Read more