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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Hibakusha campaign for state compensation

About 200 atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) and their supporters on October 19 made representations to Diet members, ministries, and embassies, calling for state compensation for Hibakusha and efforts to abolish nuclear weapons.

Their action, organized by the Japan Confederation of A & H Bombs Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo), also urged the government to improve its standards for certifying Hibakusha with A-bomb diseases.

In front of the Diet building, Hibakusha held a five-hour sit-in, holding a thousand paper cranes and placards reading, "No more Hibakusha!"

A participant said, "60 years after the A-bombings, Hibakusha still have to fight in courts and hold sit-ins while suffering from illnesses. The government must change its policy toward them."

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On October 18 and 19, members of the Japan Council against A & H Bombs (Japan Gensuikyo) visited 14 embassies to request that their governments make diplomatic efforts to establish an international treaty totally banning nuclear weapons.

The embassies they visited included those of Indonesia, Britain, the U.S., and Malaysia.

On October 19, Gensuikyo members led by Secretary-General Taka Hiroshi visited the Mexican Embassy. Ambassador Miguel Ruiz-Cabanas Izquierdo said that the demands in the petition are what the Mexican government is calling for in the U.N. He also expressed support for the Gensuikyo effort. -- Akahata, October 20, 2005