hibakusha

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Hibakusha apply for recognition of illness caused by A-bombing

On May 9, 37 atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) living in seven prefectures submitted to the Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry applications for recognition of their diseases as caused by A-bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 61 years ago.

They formed the third group to take part in Hibakusha's the concerted application process promoted by the Japan Confederation of A and H Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), as the first 30 Hibakusha submitted their applications in March and 26 more Hibakusha in April.

In Aichi Prefecture, eight Hibakusha went to the prefectural government office to submit their applications. Since 2001, 23 Hibakusha have filed applications in Aichi, but 22 of them were rejected. Four of them have brought the case to the Nagoya District Court.

Hori Saburo, one of the applicants and vice-chair of the Aichi Federation of A-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, was exposed to radiation 4 km away from the hypocenter in Hiroshima when he was 17 years old. He said, "Suffering from angina, lung tumor, and chronic hepatitis, I was told by my doctor that I may collapse anytime. I will make every effort to get my application approved because I consider this action as my last struggle to change the government policies regarding Hibakusha."
- Akahata, May 10, 2006