Tokyo: The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, known as Nihon Hidankyo, has revealed that nearly 2,000 children and grandchildren of atomic bomb survivors are actively participating in activities associated with the group.
According to Philippines News Agency, a survey conducted by Nihon Hidankyo's second-generation committee showed that 1,999 descendants of hibakusha are involved in initiatives across various organizations linked to the group. These individuals, some of whom hold leadership roles, are integral to the continuation of the movement, which earned Nihon Hidankyo the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
The survey, carried out between December 2025 and January 2026, gathered responses from 32 organizations across 31 prefectures. It highlighted that there are 18 second-generation organizations in 17 prefectures working in collaboration with Nihon Hidankyo, encompassing a total of 1,999 active members, including those from the third generation.
These members are engaged in various activities such as organizing exhibitions on the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, collecting signatures, and recounting the experiences of their parents. Despite the dissolution of prefectural organizations in 13 prefectures due to the aging population of hibakusha, many entities continue to have second-generation leaders.
Prominent leadership roles are held by second-generation members in five prefectures: Toyama, Yamanashi, Shimane, Kumamoto, and Oita. Additionally, they serve as deputy leaders in nine entities and as top secretaries in 10 groups. However, challenges remain, with some members expressing concerns about their ability to convey the experiences of atomic bomb survivors and the difficulty of increasing membership.
As Japan approaches the 81st anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings next month, the welfare ministry reports that the average age of hibakusha was 86.66 as of the end of March. With many hibakusha groups struggling to maintain their activities, Nihon Hidankyo plans to decide by June 2027 whether the second generation will continue the organization or if it will dissolve once hibakusha can no longer participate.
Yoshinori Omura, head of the second-generation committee, emphasized the importance of the parent generation's contributions to preventing nuclear war and highlighted the genetic concerns faced by the second generation. "We hope to expand the movement in cooperation with supporters," he stated.
