12th October 2024 (Reiwa 6)
Mitsuo Ochi
President, Hiroshima University
Congratulations to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As President of Hiroshima University, an institution dedicated to the pursuit of peace and the development of globally minded individuals, I am truly delighted by this recognition. I would like to express my deepest respect for Nihon Hidankyo's tireless efforts over nearly 70 years, advocating for a world without nuclear weapons through the testimonies of atomic bomb survivors.
A key figure in the establishment of Nihon Hidankyo was Ichiro Moritaki (1901-1994), a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University. Dr. Moritaki experienced the atomic bombing while serving as a professor at Hiroshima Higher Normal School. He later continued his academic career at Hiroshima University’s School of Letters, while also leading Nihon Hidankyo as its chairman. Throughout his life, he was a dedicated advocate for nuclear disarmament, staging protests such as sit-ins at the Cenotaph for A-bomb Victims to oppose nuclear tests worldwide.
The Hiroshima University Archives, after acquiring valuable early documents from Hiroshima Hidankyo, is now cataloging approximately 10,000 items donated by Dr. Moritaki's family, including handwritten manuscripts and activity records. The goal is to make these materials accessible to the public in the coming years.
As the threat of nuclear weapon use in conflicts around the world grows, I sincerely hope that this award will mark a step toward the realization of global peace. At Hiroshima University, we will use this occasion to renew our commitment to peace, redoubling our efforts to contribute to a free and peaceful international society and the well-being of humanity.