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A-bomb survivors’ organization urges ministries to promote abolition of nuclear arms and address other issues

On June 11, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) urged relevant ministries and political parties to promote the abolition of nuclear weapons and undertake a thorough revision of the A-bomb disease certification system.

About 80 people were present at a session with officials of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare that took place at the Diet building in Tokyo. Terumi Tanaka, the secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo, handed Tomonori Izawa, the director of the ministry’s A-bomb Survivor Support Office, a letter of request written to Health Minister Yasuhisa Shiozaki.

In an exchange of views, the participants voiced criticism of the ministry, one after another, saying, “Some A-bomb survivors are now suffering from dementia and are unable to explain their circumstances after the atomic bombings. The current system is not adequate.” Mr. Izawa asked for understanding, responding, “The ministry is aware of the conditions of the aging A-bomb survivors and is providing relief measures for the cases that can take advantage of these measures.” The second-generation survivors made an appeal regarding their health concerns, saying, “We want the ministry to begin investigating the actual conditions of our situation.”

Hidankyo members also visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet Office. They met with Diet members of eight political parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Japan, in order to urge the Japanese government to exert leadership for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

(Originally published on June 12, 2015)

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