hibakusha2

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

To take part in lawsuit is my obligation: plaintiff Hibakusha

Leaving the Osaka District Court after hearing the victory ruling, Odaka Miyoko, one of nine plaintiffs demanding that the government recognize their diseases as caused by A-bombings, said in tears, "It feels like my dreams finally came true. I'll continue to speak out against war as long as I live."

Three years ago, when Odaka received a letter from the Health Ministry regarding her application for official recognition of thyroid malfunction as A-bomb related, she just could not believe the verdict of "REJECTED." "I have had 60 years of suffering, how could they turn down my application in such a businesslike manner?" she asked.

1.8 km from hypocenter

A few days before the court ruling, Odaka said, "I am not seeking money in my lawsuit. There are and will be so many people who suffer from the A-bomb diseases. Through my court case, I only hope that the government recognition criteria will be eased even a little bit."

She attended every court hearing in her wheelchair. While making a statement at the court, she had a flashback of what she had seen right after the A-bombing. Crying "There are dead bodies, dead bodies" over and over, she was at a loss for words.

On August 6, 1945, Odaka, 20 years old and five-months pregnant, was exposed to a "flash tens of thousands times brighter than lightening." She was 1.8 km away from the hypocenter in Hiroshima.

She was blown by blast to the rooftop of a devastated house next door. She later dug out her family members from her collapsed house.

People walking from the direction of the hypocenter were like "stone statues," said Odaka. "It was hard to tell if they were men or women. Their eyes and noses were blurred by lymph fluid."

When she was running away, a school girl lying on a street asked Odaka to give her water. Odaka did not give her any because she feared that water might kill the schoolgirl, and Odaka is still blaming herself for refusing the girl her last request.

Pass the story on to next generations

Though she tried to forget about the A-bombing, she started to feel very weak when she was 37 years old. Her husband kept telling her, "Don't be so lazy."

After turning 40 years old, she began to suffer from anemia. One day, she collapsed on a street and went to a hospital to realize for the first time that her health had been affected by the A-bomb.

Her baby luckily grew up without any health problems, and now Odaka has three great-grand children.

Odaka said, "Those who have passed away are telling me, 'Please pass the stories about the A-bombings on to the next generations.' All of my friends were concerned about my health when I decided to join the lawsuit. But I believe that this is my obligation."
- Akahata, May 12 and 13, 2006