Japan Press Weekly

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2021 July 14 - 27 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Hiroshima court again recognizes 84 radioactive ‘black rain’ victims as atomic bomb sufferers

The Hiroshima High Court on July 14 upheld the lower court ruling recognizing all 84 plaintiffs, who were exposed to radioactive “black rain” that fell soon after the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima, as A-bomb survivors (Hibakusha), and rejected appeals made by the national, Hiroshima prefectural, and Hiroshima city governments.

The 84 plaintiffs have been waging their court battle demanding that the state and the Hiroshima prefectural and city governments cancel their decision to not certify the plaintiffs as Hibakusha on the grounds that they lived outside the “black rain” areas designated by the national government.

At a rally held in Hiroshima City after the ruling, 81-year-old plaintiff, Honke Minoru said, “Following the first trial, we won the court ruling in favor of our demand that the government-set ‘black rain’ areas be enlarged. I’m very happy with this decision. We, plaintiffs are aging. Not only the national government but also the prefectural and city governments should accept this court decision.”

Sakuma Kunihiko, who heads the Hiroshima Association of A-bomb Sufferers, stressed that the Hiroshima prefectural and city authorities should give up on appealing to the Supreme Court, and said, “I’ll work even harder to realize the issuance of Hibakusha certificates and health books to the plaintiffs without delay.”

Representing the plaintiffs’ legal team, lawyer Takemori Masahiro said, “It is the national government’s duty to give relief to all Hibakusha. Considering the plaintiffs’ age, the national government should comply with the high court ruling. In addition, the national government should review its administration of support for A-bomb survivors.”

During the six-year lawsuit, 18 of the 84 plaintiffs passed away.

Past related articles:
> Gov’t appeals A-bomb ‘black rain’ court ruling [August 13, 2020]
> 84 radioactive ‘black rain’ victims in court recognized as atomic bomb sufferers [July 30, 2020]