Nobel Peace Prize Conference in Tokyo: Responding to the Threat of Nuclear Arms
Following the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo last year, the issue of nuclear weapons has drawn significant attention both domestically and internationally.
However, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the international community is now facing an unprecedented risk of nuclear weapon use since the end of the Cold War.
In response to this urgent threat, the Norwegian Nobel Institute has decided to host this conference in Tokyo to deepen dialogue, explore solutions, and foster broader public understanding in Japan regarding nuclear issues.
- Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025, 14:00–16:15
- Venue: Sophia University, Room 101, Building No. 6 (7-1Kioiccho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
- Hosted by: The Norwegian Nobel Institute
- Co-Hosted by: Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), Sophia University
- Open to: General public,high school students, Sophia University students, staff and faculty members. (free admission)
- Language: English, Japanese (simultaneous interpretation provided)
- Broadcast: Live streaming on Sophia University’s official YouTube channel (Japanese, English)
Speakers
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair, Norwegian Nobel Committee
Asle Toje, Vice Chair, Norwegian Nobel Committee
Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director, The Norwegian Nobel Institute
Terumi Tanaka, Co-Chairperson, Nihon Hidankyo
Michiko Kodama, Assistant Secretary General, Nihon Hidankyo
Sali Augustine, S.J., Chancellor, Sophia School Corporation
Nobumasa Akiyama, Professor, Faculty of Law, Hitotsubashi University
Keiko Nakamura, Associate Professor, Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition (RECNA), Nagasaki University
Taro Komatsu, Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Sophia University
(Updated July 23) Specially appointed Professor Tetsuo Kondo has regrettably had to withdraw from the event due to unforeseen circumstances.
Program
Moderated by Naoki Umemiya, Faculty of Global Studies, Sophia University
・Opening Remarks
Sali Augustine, S.J., Chancellor, Sophia School Corporation
・Keynote Speech 1 “Upholding the Nuclear Taboo: a Call to Humanity”
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair, Norwegian Nobel Committee
・Keynote Speech 2 “The Legacy of Nihon Hidankyo and the Future of the Nuclear Abolition Movement”
Terumi Tanaka, Co-Chairperson, Nihon Hidankyo
・Keynote Speech 3 ”A World Without Nuclear Weapons and War – Passing the Torch to the Next Generation”
Michiko Kodama, Assistant Secretary General, Nihon Hidankyo
・Commemorative Performance
Sophia Philharmonic Orchestra
・Panel Discussion
Moderated by Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director, The Norwegian Nobel Institute
-Nuclear Deterrence and Security
-Current Status and Challenges of Disarmament and Nonproliferation Regime
Nobumasa Akiyama, Professor, Faculty of Law, Hitotsubashi University
-The Role of Disarmament Education
Keiko Nakamura, Associate Professor, Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition (RECNA), Nagasaki University
-Preserving History
Taro Komatsu, Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Sophia University
・Closing Remarks
Pre-registration (free admission/ first-come, first-served)
※Please note that YouTube live streaming requires no registration.
Inquiries
- For General Public Contact : nobelconf-co@sophia.ac.jp
- For Media Contact : sophiapr-co@sophia.ac.jp
Press Inquiries Regarding Other Activities of the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s Visit to Japan
For all press-related inquiries about the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s visit to Japan beyond this conference—such as itinerary details or requests for one-on-one interviews—please contact the organization below. Please note that Sophia University cannot accommodate inquiries outside the scope of this conference.
- Press Inquiries Regarding the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s Visit to Japan
Japan-July2025@nobelpeaceprize.org