hibakusha

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Opposition parties submit joint bill to allow Hibakusha living overseas to apply for benefits under law

The Japanese Communist, Democratic, and Social Democratic parties on October 5 jointly submitted to the House of Councilors a bill to revise the Hibakusha Aid Law to cover atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) living overseas.

The bill, if enacted, will enable Hibakusha to apply for a Hibakusha certificate and benefits without having to visit Japan.

The number of Hibakusha living abroad is estimated at 5,100 (including those who are not certificate carriers) . They include South and North Koreans and Japanese who emigrated to other countries after 1945. Although the government requires Hibakusha to come to Japan to apply for benefits, it is hard for most of them, who are old and suffering from various diseases, to meet such a requirement.

In September, the Fukuoka High Court ruled that Hibakusha living abroad should be able to apply for Hibakusha benefits from abroad.

JCP House of Councilors member Koike Akira said, "The government should stand for the principle, 'No matter where they live, Hibakusha are Hibakusha,' and compensate them as soon as possible regardless of their nationality." -- Akahata, October 6, 2005