Japan Press Weekly

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2021 September 1 - 7 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Victorious A-bomb ‘black rain’ lawsuit plaintiffs urge gov’t to give relief to all other ‘black rain’ victims

A team of 84 plaintiffs in the victorious “black rain” lawsuit together with their counsel and supporters’ group on September 1 submitted to the national government as well as to the Hiroshima prefectural and city governments a written request demanding that relief be given without delay to all A-bomb “black rain” victims by revising the current standards for Hibakusha certification under the Atomic Bomb Survivors' Assistance Act.

In the submission, representing the plaintiffs’ counsel, Lawyer Takemori Masahiro referred to Prime Minister Suga’s statement regarding his decision to accept the July Hiroshima High Court ruling recognizing the 84 plaintiffs as A-bomb survivors (Hibakusha). In the statement, PM Suga expressed his intent to take measures so that like the 84 plaintiffs, those who were exposed to radioactive “black rain” caused by the U.S. atomic bombing will be certified as Hibakusha even though they lived outside the designated “black rain” areas. Takemori pointed out, “One month has already passed since the release of PM Suga’s statement. However, no practical steps, such as reviewing the standards for Hibakusha certification, have been taken.”

Takemori stressed that the national government is responsible for implementing measures to enable all “black rain” victims, who are aging and have little time left, to receive relief benefits as A-bomb survivors. The lawyer said that along with the Health and Welfare Ministry in charge of operations of the law on A-bomb survivors’ assistance, the Hiroshima prefectural and city governments, both of which are responsible for Hibakusha certification at the practical level, should swiftly work on this issue.

Past related articles:
> Gov't gives up on appealing 'black rain' court ruling [July 27, 2021]
> Hiroshima court again recognizes 84 radioactive ‘black rain’ victims as atomic bomb sufferers [July 15, 2021]