LDP subcommittee proposes abolishing current A-bomb disease certification criteria

   The Liberal Democratic Party’s subcommittee on measures for atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) on August 30 called for the abolition of the current government criteria to recognize A-bomb related diseases that were criticized by six court rulings for failing to reflect the realities of A-bomb injuries.

   Hibakusha’s long struggles, including the concerted lawsuit actions, are forcing the ruling party to change its position.

   Pointing out that only 2,200 people (0.8 percent of Hibakusha) have been certified as having diseases caused by the A-bombs, the proposal called for their early relief.

   It also pointed out that the Health Ministry’s current criteria only take into consideration the amount of radiation that Hibakusha were initially exposed to when the A-bombs were dropped. It proposed that they be revised based on scientific knowledge and sufficiently take into account the effect of residual radiation.

   It requested the ministry to include those who are capable of representing Hibakusha’s interests as members of its specialists’ committee to review the criteria.

   After the ruling parties’ crushing defeat in the House of Councilors election, Prime Minister Abe Shinzo promised at a meeting with Hibakusha that the government will revise the criteria. However, the government has aroused public anger by appealing to a higher court against the sixth court decision in favor of Hibakusha soon after that meeting.

   The LDP subcommittee calls on the government to withdraw its appeals against those court decisions.

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) issued a statement on the same day pointing out that the LDP subcommittee proposal reflects their demands.

   It called on the Health Ministry to sincerely respond to the proposal, drastically improve the system to recognize A-bomb related diseases as soon as possible so that it will meet Hibakusha’s demands, and provide the necessary assistance to aging Hibakusha.                                                                   - Akahata, August 31, 2007