First reactions. Telephone interview, October 2024

“The dream came true!”

The prize came as a big surprise, says Masako Wada, a representative from Nihon Hidankyo. In this interview shortly after learning about the prize, she shares her deep concerns on the world’s backlash on nuclear disarmament, not least after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “Rather than anger, I feel sorrow and fear how deep humans will fall into darkness.”

Interview transcript

Robin Hardy: Hello, Ms Wada? My name is Robin Hardy.

Masako Wada: Hi.

RH: A big congratulations from us.

MW: Thank you very much. We didn’t expect this big surprise. The dream came true.

RH: I’m sure.

MW: Thank you.

RH: Where were you when you heard the news?

MW: We had a big meeting at Hidankyo today. So, you know, I am kind of feeling fatigue and I didn’t feel well. I’m afraid I had a cold, so I visited the doctor and I got some medicine, and on my way home, I got a telephone call from one of the press, Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

RH: So you were on the way home from the doctor when you heard?

MW: Yeah. So I didn’t believe, I didn’t believe, I couldn’t believe it, I said is that true? And no, no, no.

RH: A big surprise and hopefully a welcome one.

MW: Yes, that’s right.

RH: If you could send one message to world leaders who are in possession of nuclear weapons right now, what would that message be?

MW: We have been trying to tell the story about the humanitarian consequences if the A-bomb is used for the third time. So we have to stop. We have to cease that risk.

RH: Too great of a risk.

MW: Yeah. First of all, we have to persuade, we have to talk with our government to join the Ban treaty.

RH: Do you feel that’s the most important next step?

MW: Yeah. The world is currently moving backwards on nuclear disarmament. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused unspeakable human suffering and raised the risk of nuclear war. The Hibakusha. I dedicated my life to nuclear prohibition. I feel just how sinful humans are. Rather than anger, I feel sorrow and fear, how deep humans will fall into the darkness. We have to keep going forward to convey our wish, our hope without nuclear weapons, and that’s our mission. That’s our mission as a Hibakusha.

RH: Thank you so much for sharing with us and for speaking with me.

MW: Thank you. Thank you for your calling.

RH: You’re very welcome.

MW: I’m so happy. Thank you very much. Thank you. Bye.

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