 Court rules Hibakusha residing in the U.S. can request benefits The Hiroshima District Court on May 10 ruled that four atomic-bomb survivors (Hibakusha) who are now living abroad are entitled to receive from the government medical benefits and funeral expenses based on the Hibakusha Aid Law. Judge Nose Akio said, "The law is aimed at broadly providing relief for Hibakusha who are suffering from health problems, and should cover medical costs for Hibakusha living outside of Japan." The lawsuit was filed by four plaintiffs now living in California. Morinaka Teruko, 73, and two other plaintiffs obtained their Hibakusha certificates in Japan and applied for health allowances. Kuramoto Chisato, a 74-year-old widow of Hibakusha, requested Hiroshima City to pay for her husband's funeral expenses. However, Hiroshima City turned down their applications on the grounds that they were not Hiroshima residents. A representative of a group supporting Hibakusha living in the U.S. said, "The court ruled reasonably, pointing out that the plaintiffs should be considered as Hibakusha, no matter where they live. As an A-bombed city, Hiroshima City should not appeal to a higher court." - Akahata May 11, 2005 |