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Government accepts high court ruling that hibakusha can apply for benefits abroad

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on October 7 announced its acceptance of a court ruling that certified hibakusha (atomic-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) living abroad should be allowed to apply for and receive health and funeral benefits without having to come to Japan.

At a news conference called to announce the government decision, health minister Otsuji Hidehisa said, "Hibakusha are aging, and the hard fact is that they were exposed to radiation from atomic bombs. We took a political decision by setting aside our arguments."

The September 26 ruling by the Fukuoka High Court states that the Hibakusha Aid Law must be applicable to all hibakusha, including those living outside of Japan at present. It thus invalidated the government decree that said applications for benefits for hibakusha can be accepted only by local government heads.

It is estimated about 3,600 certified hibakusha are now living in 30-plus countries, including Brazil, the United States, and South Korea. Of them, about 1,300 hibakusha have been barred from receiving health and other benefits because of the provision that their applications are accepted only if submitted in Japan. -- Akahata, October 8, 2005