The Nobel Institute—serving as the secretariat of The Norwegian Nobel Committee—will host the inaugural Nobel Peace Prize Conference, “Responding to the Threat of Nuclear Arms,” on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Sophia University’s Yotsuya Campus in Tokyo, Japan. The event is co-hosted by Sophia University and the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo).

In the wake of Nihon Hidankyo’s Nobel Peace Prize recognition, global concern over nuclear weapons has intensified. Yet, with no clear roadmap to abolition and escalating tensions among nuclear-armed states, urgent dialogue is needed.

Marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings, this conference will bring together a diverse range of participants to explore paths toward overcoming the nuclear threat and advancing disarmament. Notably, this is the first time the Nobel Institute has organized an event outside its home country of Norway.

Keynote Speeches

・Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair, The Norwegian Nobel Committee

・Terumi Tanaka, Co-Chairperson, Nihon Hidankyo

・Michiko Kodama, Assistant Secretary General, Nihon Hidankyo

Commemorative Performance by Sophia University Orchestra

Speeches and Panel Discussion

・Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director, The Norwegian Nobel Institute (moderator)

・Asle Toje, Vice Chair, The Norwegian Nobel Committee

・Nobumasa Akiyama, Professor, Faculty of Law, Hitotsubashi University

・Keiko Nakamura, Associate Professor, Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University 

・Taro Komatsu, Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences, Sophia University

Ahead of the conference, a press briefing will be held at 11AM on Sunday, July 27. The venue is 17th Floor, Building 2, Yotsuya Campus, Sophia University. Representatives of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Nihon Hidankyo, and Sophia University will speak. Press registration will begin at 10 AM.

Pre-registration is required to participate in the press briefing and/or conference. Please register by emailing the Office of Public Relations at Sophia University by Wednesday, July 23. Please note that no registration is required for those who will only watch the live stream on YouTube.

Updated July 19: Press, including reporters, may cover the conference on-site. Please note that no press room for streaming will be provided.Due to limited space and seating, both the press briefing and the conference will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close once capacity is reached.

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 e-mail address listed below. Please note that Sophia University cannot accommodate inquiries outside the scope of this conference.