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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Hibakusha apply for recognition of their illness as A-bomb caused

On April 6, 26 atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) living in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto Prefectures submitted to the Health Ministry applications for recognition of their diseases as caused by the A-bombings.

They are the second group of Hibakusha filing the application in response to the call by the Japan Confederation of A & H Bombs Sufferers Organizations (Japan Hidankyo) to change the governmentﾕs system of recognition that has allowed only 0.8 percent, or 2,000 Hibakusha to obtain an official recognition of their illness as A-bomb related.

Higuchi Hisao, a 78-year-old applicant in Nagasaki, was exposed to radiation 3.4km away from the hypocenter when he was 17 years old. After he underwent surgery for lung cancer six years ago, a tumor was found in his thyroid gland.

ﾒI am in constant fear of losing my voice or having another cancer. I want the government to recognize my suffering over the years as caused by the A-bomb,ﾓ said Higuchi.

Okuda Toyoji, a 76-year-old Basedow disease patient, is one of the 14 Hibakusha who submitted the applications in Tokyo. Okuda went into Hiroshima City three days after the A-bombing and walked around the hypocenter.

Okuda said, ﾒI want as many people as possible to understand the misery caused by the A-bombs. I decided to join the concerted application protest because I want to contribute my experience, however small it may be, to the movement to get rid of nuclear weapons.ﾓ
- Akahata, April 7, 2006