Japan Press Weekly

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2016 December 7 - 13 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Hibakusha urge Welfare Minister to revise A-bomb victim certification program

Representatives of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) on December 12 conducted a negotiation with Welfare Minister Shiozaki Yasuhisa in the ministry office building and demanded a drastic revision of the current A-bomb victim certification program so that all survivors can receive financial assistance.

This negotiation was the fifth “regular consultation” between Hidankyo and the central government. In 2009, Hidankyo and then Prime Minister Aso Taro signed an agreement that they will work to resolve the issue of relieving Hibakusha (A-bomb victims) through talks, not court battles.

Hidankyo Secretary General Tanaka Terumi noted that 121 A-bomb survivors had no choice but to file lawsuits again with seven district courts across the country because the state had been reluctant to fulfill the agreement. Referring to the fact that the Tokyo District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in June this year, Tanaka pushed the government to revise the present program in line with the Hidankyo proposal for the sake of aging survivors suffering from serious illnesses.

Minister Shiozaki replied that he has no intent to review the current certification standards and its operation.

Past related article:
> A-bomb survivors and Prime Minister Aso sign agreement to provide relief to all plaintiffs in lawsuits [August 7, 2009]