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Hibakusha request political parties for relief

On June 8, about 100 Hibakusha representing the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) visited political parties and lawmakers, calling for a drastic improvement of governmental measures for Hibakusha.

They requested that the present "Hibakusha Aid Law" be revised so that it will provide proper state compensation.

They also presented their demands that condolence money be disbursed to bereaved families of the atomic bomb victims, that health-care allowances be disbursed to all Hibakusha, and that any disease or disorder of Hibakusha be eligible for medical benefits and allowances unless they are proved to be not caused by A-bomb radiation.

On behalf of the Japanese Communist Party, Chair Shii Kazuo and House of Representatives members Kasai Akira and Takahashi Chizuko received the Hibakusha.

Nihon Hidankyo representative Tohei Nori requested the JCP to press the government to take appropriate measures, pointing out that the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry's system to grant recognition of A-bomb diseases shows no sign of being corrected despite the repeated court rulings against the system's defects.

Miyahara Tetsuro, a lawyer representing the legal team for Hibakusha lawsuits claiming official recognition of their diseases as caused by A-bomb radiation, also requested the JCP to make an effort to drastically improve the certification system in cooperation with other parties.

Shii said, "It runs counter to the principle of the separation of the three powers that the government resists the Supreme Court judgment in which it criticized the ministry's certification system." Shii emphasized, "The JCP will work hard to make a cross party movement to redress the system."
- Akahata, June 9, 2006