On Friday, March 21, a special award ceremony and commemorative lecture honoring Dr. Terumi Tanaka, Representative Director of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) and recipient of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, was held at Tohoku University’s Centennial Hall (Kawauchi Hagi Hall).
The event, co-hosted by Tohoku University and the City of Sendai, welcomed over 600 attendees, including Tohoku University students, faculty, and Sendai citizens, who gathered to celebrate Dr. Tanaka’s achievements and listen to his lecture.
Dr. Tanaka, who was 13 years old when he experienced the atomic bombing at his home in Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, served as a faculty member at Tohoku University’s School of Engineering from 1960 until his retirement in 1996, contributing to education and research. At last year’s Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, he delivered an acceptance speech on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo.
The ceremony began with remarks from President Teiji Tominaga, who highlighted Dr. Tanaka’s contributions to world peace and his long-standing connection with Tohoku University. Sendai Mayor Kazuko Kori also delivered a speech, introducing Sendai’s peace education initiatives and expressing deep admiration for Dr. Tanaka’s dedication to peace and nuclear disarmament.
Following the presentation of the Tohoku University International Award by President Tominaga, awarded in recognition of Dr. Tanaka tireless efforts toward global peace, Dr. Tanaka gave a lecture in which he reflected on his life before World War II, the tragic experience of the atomic bombing, his decades-long efforts to promote peace and nuclear disarmament through Nihon Hidankyo, the path that led to the organization’s Nobel Prize recognition, and his concerns about a world once again on the brink of nuclear conflict. As a survivor of the atomic bombing, he emphasized the importance of passing on firsthand accounts of nuclear devastation to future generations.
After the lecture, Dr. Tanaka participated in a discussion session with Executive Vice President Toshiya Ueki. With the help of historical photographs from his tenure at Tohoku University, Dr. Tanaka reflected on his experiences at the university and shared his hopes for its students.
In the closing remarks, Vice President Tetsuya Nagasaka recalled his time as a faculty member in a neighboring research lab, sharing personal memories of Dr. Tanaka and reaffirming the importance of long-term peace initiatives.
The event was a great success—an invaluable opportunity for attendees to hear firsthand from one of the last remaining survivors of one of history’s greatest tragedies.
Established in 2022 to commemorate the 115th anniversary of Tohoku University, the Tohoku University International Award recognizes individuals with strong ties to the university who have made significant contributions to its international presence through their global activities. Dr. Tanaka is the 13th recipient of this prestigious award.