A-bomb survivors denounce government appeal to higher court

The government on June 15 decided to appeal the recent Osaka District Court ruling urging the government to pay allowance for an A-bombed Korean now outside Japan. The government decision has caused strong protest from the public, in particular A-bomb survivors organizations.

Under the Hibakusha Aid Law, Kwak Kwi Hun, a 77 year-old Korean A-bombed in Hiroshima, had received 34,000 yen a month as health care allowances from the Osaka Prefectural Government. However, when he went back to Korea again in July 1998, the government stopped the payment from the following month saying that the law can't be applied to foreigners residing outside of Japan.

Kwak filed a suit with the Osaka District Court against the state and the local government maintaining that the payment be continued. The court on June 1 upheld Kwak's claim.

The Komei Party, to which Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Sakaguchi Chikara belongs, supported the government decision.

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bombs Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) on June 15 published a statement of protest, saying:

"With a single ministry director's circular in 1974, the government appealed to the higher court. But, the local court decision said that 'the central government must take steps under the Hibakusha Aid Law, and any act against this can't be allowed.' This gave hope to thousands of A-bombed victims throughout the world.

"From the bottom of our heart, we protest against the unjustifiable government decision. We demand that a new hibakusha aid law based on state compensation be enacted by fully recognizing the state responsibility for the war of aggression."

The Japan Council against A and H Bombs (Gensuikyo) also issued a similar statement, calling on the government to withdraw its appeal. (end)