On the 20th, groups of A-bomb survivors and others met with Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato on the issue of recognizing atomic bomb diseases among those who were exposed to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I was.
On the 20th, the Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Council of Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb Victims' Organizations) and the defense team for the trial seeking certification of atomic bomb disease met with Minister Kato at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
In this report, he pointed out that there has been a series of judgments in the courts regarding the recognition of atomic bomb disease, which provides special medical benefits to atomic bomb survivors, and that those who have not been certified by the government are recognized as having atomic bomb disease.
On top of that, he said, "Strict governments continue to apply to A-bomb survivors. With the aging of the population and the increasing number of A-bomb survivors who are unable to take legal action, I want the certification system to be reviewed as soon as possible."
In response, Minister Kato said, "It is difficult to review the certification criteria without new scientific knowledge, and we would like to respond carefully based on the current criteria."
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, as of the end of March this year, there were 118,935 people nationwide who had A-bomb Survivor Health Handbooks, but 6,062 people were recognized as suffering from atomic bomb disease and were receiving special allowances. It is
After the meeting, Nihon Hidankyo representative Hiromi Tanaka said, "I was hoping to get a new answer, but it was the same answer as before. We need to think about a form of consultation that will allow the voices of the hibakusha to be heard widely."