Hibakusha take mass action to be recognized as having A-bomb-related diseases

Seven atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) on April 17 filed concerted lawsuits demanding that the government recognize them as Hibakusha with diseases caused by A-bomb radiation.

The plaintiffs had filed applications for their recognition as sufferers of A-bomb-related illnesses but had been rejected by the government. Therefore, three of them brought their case to the district court in Sapporo, one to the Nagoya court, and three others to the Nagasaki court on that day.

Once being recognized as sufferers of such diseases, Hibakusha can receive special medical allowances from the government. However, the recognition system is so strict that only 19 percent of 496 applicants were accepted in the past year.

Calling for a drastic change in the rigid criteria, the Japan Confederation of A- and H- Sufferers Organizations (Japan Hidankyo) decided to organize Hibakusha's class actions last July. Those three suits are the first of court challenges.

In a statement published on the same day, Japan Hidankyo stated that Hibakusha, who have been suffering for 58 years under the government's severe policies, finally stood up to protest.

Japan Hidankyo criticized the government for taking the same position as the U.S. government which insists that A-bombs only cause minimal damage so that the use of nuclear weapons are made acceptable.

On the same day, representatives of Hibakusha organizations in South Korea, the U.S., and Brazil demanded that the government provide medical benefits for Hibakusha living outside Japan. (end)