US Atomic Bomb Injury Investigation Commission: Priority treatment for cooperative A-bomb survivors August 4:45
An organization established by the United States after the war to investigate the impact of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki will make it easier for survivors who are cooperative in the investigation to receive preferential treatment while anti-US and anti-nuclear movements are increasing A new document has been found to show what was planned. Experts say, “It is a valuable document for examining US policy toward Japan, and it is necessary to make such materials widely available to fulfill accountability to A-bomb survivors.”
In 1947, two years after the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the United States established the ABCC = atomic bomb injury investigation committee with the aim of investigating the effects of radiation on the human body. In addition, criticism came from survivors.
According to a document newly found at the American Academy of Sciences this time, in 1956, 11 years after the atomic bombing, a representative of an organization called “Headquarters of the Atomic Bomb Victims” who was active in Hiroshima at that time, After communicating their position and research cooperation based on pro-American / anti-communism, I was writing letters to ABCC to give exclusive treatment to members of their organizations.
On the other hand, the ABCC side is working with the Japanese side in order to be able to receive treatment preferentially.
At that time, in an American hydrogen bomb experiment, the crew of the Japanese fishing boat “Fifth Fukuryu Maru” was exposed to the so-called death ashes, and the atomic bomb ban campaign increased.
Regarding the need for convenience, ABCC has concluded that "if you provide limited treatment, A-bomb survivors and healthcare professionals will be grateful and friendly."
Researcher Hiroko Takahashi of Nagoya University Graduate School, who is familiar with the history of ABCC, said, “After the Fifth Fukuryu Maru, the US fears that anti-American and anti-nuclear sentiment will spread in Japan. “Those who are looking towards them have an explicit attitude to treatment, and the true scientists of American scientists can see very well,” and “are valuable documents for verifying those days. In order to fulfill their accountability, it is necessary to proceed with the release of these materials. "
What is ABCC = Atomic Bomb Injury Investigation Committee?
ABCC = A-bomb injury investigation committee is an organization established in 1947 by the presidential decree issued by President Truman in the United States to conduct a long-term investigation on the effects of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the human body. , The predecessor of the Radiation Effects Research Institute jointly operated by Japan and the United States, established in 1975.
ABCC conducts extensive surveys on survivors and newborns with the cooperation of local governments, universities, and local healthcare professionals to investigate the physical and genetic effects of radiation. Was also used for US nuclear strategy under the Cold War.
However, while the survivors were subject to research, they did not receive any treatment, so they were criticized by the survivors as “I did not treat them but treated them”.
Such criticism of ABCC policy can be seen in the “Barefoot Gen” manga drawn by Hiroshima-born comic artist, late Keiji Nakazawa, based on his own experiences of exposure.
“I didn't think of taking over the US”
“The first time I saw this document. We knew this past,” said Dr. Tanuki Niwa, director of the Radiation Effects Research Institute, a jointly managed organization that took over research activities from ABCC. I think that it is important and important, but RERF does not have any documents on organizational management in the ABCC era, probably the US side would share such documents between Japan and the US, or RERF Wasn't there any thought of taking over? "