Hibakusha make mass action to be recognized as A-bomb disease sufferers

In a concerted effort to get the government to relieve 300,000 atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) from unnecessary sufferings, 76 Hibakusha in eight prefectures on July 9 filed applications to be recognized as Hibakusha with A-bomb diseases under the Atomic Bomb Survivors' Support Law.

Exposed to radiation from the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 57 years ago, Hibakusha are still suffering from the after-effects with cancer, liver function disorders, and other diseases. They can receive special medical allowances only if the government recognizes them as Hibakusha with A-bomb-related diseases.

However, the government's recognition system is so strict that only one percent of all Hibakusha has been given the certificate. In 2001, 484 out of 657 applications were rejected by the government.

The 76 Hibakusha say that if the government rejects their applications they will bring the case to court so that the government will be forced to change its policy regarding Hibakusha.

The eight prefectures that received applications from the Hibakusha are Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi, Ishikawa, Wakayama, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto.

The Japan Confederation of A and H Bombs Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo) which organized this concerted action published a statement on the same day calling for extensive support for the Hibakusha. The purpose of this action, the statement said, is to show the people in and outside the nation the horror of nuclear weapons.

One of the Hibakusha in this action, a 62-year-old woman from Nagasaki, was diagnosed with stomach cancer three years ago. "Losing my hair and seeing my skin color changing, I cannot find the words to describe the anxiety I feel everyday," she said.

Health, Labor, and Welfare Minister Sakaguchi Chikara at the July 9 press conference stated that the government does not see the necessity of revising the recognition system. (end)