May 29, 2008

Following a Sendai High Court ruling supporting two Hibakusha’s demands for recognition that they have illnesses caused by exposure to radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, many Hibakusha and their supporters converged on the Health and Welfare Ministry to press the government to provide relief for all plaintiffs who are still fighting in appeals court and to refrain from appealing against the high court decision.

Lawyer Yasuhara Yukihiko of the liaison council of all legal teams in the Hibakusha lawsuits said, “The Sendai High Court ruling shows that the decisions of six district courts supporting the Hibaskuha’s claims are correct.”

He also demanded that the government settle all cases by recognizing all plaintiffs as Hibakusha suffering from A-bomb illnesses.