Japan Press Weekly

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2014 March 12 - 18 [ANTI-N-ARMS]

Hibakusha request lawmakers to support their demand for state compensation

Survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki requested lawmakers on March 12 to support their demand that the state compensate all A-bomb victims for damages. About 80 people from across Japan participated in this action.

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) has demanded that the A-Bomb Survivors’ Support Law oblige the government to pay damages to victims and the act clearly state as its purpose the abolition of all nuclear weapons.

In concrete terms, they demand that the state offer a sincere apology to all A-bomb victims for launching the war of aggression, provide them with monetary compensation and living allowances, and accept and take responsibility for their health care.

That day, five parliamentarians expressed their support for the petition. The number of legislators endorsing it totals 54 (33 Representatives and 21 Councilors). As to the Japanese Communist Party, all its 19 lawmakers (8 Representatives and 11 Councilors) have backed their demand.

At a gathering held in the Diet building after the action, Hidankyo representative Iwasa Mikiso called for the participants to step up their efforts to achieve the law’s revision.


Past related article:
> Hibakusha demand state compensation for A-bomb sufferings [October 11, 2013]