On Aug. 6, the 64th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Prime Minister Taro Aso signed an agreement with representatives of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic-bombing survivors who had filed lawsuits seeking recognition as sufferers of radiation-related illnesses. Under the agreement, plaintiffs who have won district court-level lawsuits will be certified as sufferers.
For those who have lost cases in district courts, Diet members will write and pass a bill to create a fund to financially assist them. Those certified as sufferers of A-bomb illnesses receive a monthly allowance of around ¥137,000 plus free medical treatment.
The agreement signed by Mr. Aso smacks of being a vote-getting measure ahead of the Aug. 30 Lower House election, as Mr. Aso never took the initiative in crafting the agreement. Still, it can serve as a first step toward improved relief for more atomic- bombing survivors with long-term illnesses.