Japan Press Weekly

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2024 February 21 - 27 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Nagasaki ‘black rain’ victims urge gov’t to recognize them as ‘Hibakusha’

An organization of people who had experienced the “black rain (radioactive fallout)” after the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945 made representations on February 20 to the Health and Welfare Ministry, demanding that Hibakusha certificates and health books be given to all A-bomb survivors.

Hibakusha certificate holders are entitled to receive from the government medical benefits and compensation for sufferings associated with the atomic bombings.

Japanese Communist Party members of the House of Councilors Nihi Sohei and Inoue Satoshi and JCP member of the House of Representatives Kasai Akira joined in the representations. Along with the JCP lawmakers, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) secretary general, Kido Sueichi, took part in this action.

The organization’s head Ikeyama Michio pointed out that in Nagasaki, areas where the black rain had been observed include the Shimabara Peninsula which is located 37 kilometers distance from ground zero. Yamamoto Seiichi, a member of the organization, said that the government should recognize people who had been exposed to the black rain in Nagasaki as “Hibakusha” in line with the Hiroshima High Court “black rain” ruling.

The Hiroshima High Court in July 2021 issued a ruling ordering the national government to recognize people who had been exposed to the black rain both inside and outside the government-designated area following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima even if they have not developed any of designated diseases. The national government accepted this ruling.

JCP Kasai pointed out that the last meeting of State Parties to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons discussed how to promote support for A-bomb victims. He said that in this regard, whether Japan provides relief to all Hibakusha will come into the spotlight.

Past related article:
> Gov't gives up on appealing 'black rain' court ruling [July 27, 2021]