76 years ago, immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the judgment of the second trial of the trial demanding that residents and others recognize that they were exposed to the so-called "black rain" containing radioactive substances and suffered health damage was decided on the 14th. , Will be handed down at the Hiroshima High Court.
Since the first instance recognized the health hazard outside the area designated by the country for the first time, the country has begun to verify whether the area is appropriate, and the judgment of the second instance will be watched.
The trial alleged that 84 residents aged 76 to 97 and their bereaved families living in Hiroshima City and surrounding municipalities were hit by the so-called "black rain" that fell immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped, and suffered health problems. And Hiroshima Prefecture are required to be recognized as atomic bomb survivors as stipulated by law.
The plaintiffs' residents were not recognized as A-bomb survivors because they were outside the state-designated free health checkup area, but the Hiroshima District Court of the first instance was outside the area of assistance last July. For the first time, he made a decision to recognize the health hazards caused by the "black rain" of Hiroshima, and identified all of them as atomic bomb survivors.
The city and prefecture, which had asked the country to expand the area of assistance, were reluctant to appeal the ruling, but they appealed in a way that accepted the request of the country.
On the other hand, the country has begun to verify whether the scope of the area of assistance is appropriate after receiving the ruling, but the conclusion has not been reached.
Under these circumstances, the judgment of the second instance is scheduled to be handed down at the Hiroshima High Court on the afternoon of the 14th, and the content of the judicial decision to be presented again will be noted.
What is "black rain"?
The so-called "black rain" is the rain that was mixed with radioactive materials and soot due to a fire immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and was carried out by the staff of the meteorological observatory at that time in 1945 immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped. As a result of the investigation, it is said that it fell within a range of about 29 km north-south and 15 km east-west from the hypocenter.
Of these, the area approximately 19 km north-south and 11 km east-west from the hypocenter was classified as a "heavy rain area" where heavy rain fell, and in 1976, the country followed this "heavy rain area" as the A-bomb survivors. We have designated it as a "special health examination area" as an area for assistance.
Those who were in this area will receive a free medical examination, and if they develop any of the 11 types of illnesses such as cancer designated by the government, they will be issued a health handbook for the A-bomb survivors for medical expenses. Etc. will be paid.
The residents who filed the complaint were outside the scope of the "special health examination area" where they could receive assistance similar to that of the A-bomb survivors. We carried out activities to request a fact-finding survey of damage.
In response to this, the city of Hiroshima formed a research group consisting of professors from Hiroshima University and conducted a survey, and in 2010, the area where it rained black was said to be about six times the area designated by the government. I summarized the results.
Hiroshima City and the prefecture requested that the entire area of black rain collected in this survey result be designated as a support area, but the national government said that there was little scientific evidence that health damage occurred in 2012, and support it. Did not allow the area to expand.
The issue of the trial is
The biggest issue in the trial is whether the plaintiffs' residents fall under the provision of the A-bomb survivor protection law that "there was a situation that was affected by the radiation from the atomic bomb" as one of the definitions of the survivors. is.
Residents argued that the effects of radiation on the body were not fully understood, and that the interpretation of the provisions of the law was broadly understood, and that if the effects could not be denied, they should be recognized as A-bomb survivors.
He added, "It is clear that the black rain may have been exposed to the radiation of the atomic bomb because it contains radioactive particles."
On the other hand, Hiroshima City and Hiroshima Prefecture interpret the provisions of the A-bomb Survivor Assistance Law as "a state of being significantly affected by radiation to the extent that it is considered to cause health damage," and prove it with concrete scientific grounds. Insisted that it should be done.
He added, "Although the area stipulated by law is basically within a range of about 5 km from the hypocenter, the plaintiffs' residents are 8.8 km from the hypocenter even if they are the closest, so the current scientific view is In the light of this, even if you are exposed to "black rain," there is no possibility that radiation will cause health problems. "
At the trial, the court's judgment as to whether or not the range designated by the country, which is called the "special health examination area" where the assistance equivalent to that of the A-bomb survivors is available, is also drawing attention.
In 1976, the national government designated the area about 19 km north-south and 11 km east-west from the hypocenter as a "special health examination area", and people in this area received free health examinations according to the A-bomb survivors. You can.
In addition, if you develop a disease such as cancer designated by the government, you will be issued a Health Handbook for A-bomb survivors and will be provided with medical expenses.
This support area was designated only in the "heavy rain area" where it was said that it rained heavily in 1945, immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped, according to a survey conducted by the staff of the meteorological station on that day. Residents of the plaintiffs who were outside the area have argued that it is unreasonable to limit the area of support even though it has rained not only in the'heavy rain area'but also in a wider area.
Last year's first-instance judgment pointed out that "it is not reasonable to make a difference in the recognition of A-bomb survivors depending on the length of time it rained black," I was questioning the range.
Scientific verification by the country
The health effects of "black rain" are being scientifically verified by the government.
Following the decision of the Hiroshima District Court, in August last year, former Prime Minister Abe announced his intention to examine the area covered by "black rain" with a view to expanding it.
Last November, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare set up a study group that brought together experts in meteorology, energy engineering, and radiology.
The study group is trying to reproduce the weather conditions at that time and the process of mushroom cloud formation with the latest simulation in order to clarify the situation where it rained black, but the weather data at that time was scarce and it was realized by the committee members. There are also voices who question.
Earlier this month, it was decided to significantly increase the number of places where soil is collected in order to investigate the amount of radioactive substances contained in the strata at that time, and to analyze health effects using data from cancer patients at medical institutions. underneath it is, and it depends on the Ministry of Health, Labor and welfare, is that not standing time of the prospect that put out the conclusion.
It will be one year next month when the country has embarked on the verification of the relief area.
Can the verification be completed in a convincing manner as the parties are aging?
The path is not yet visible.