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Number of A-bomb Survivor’s Certificate holders falls below 150,000, average age now 82.65

by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer

Data compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare showed on July 1 that the number of holders of the Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate was 145,844 as of the end of March, falling below 150,000 for the first time. The number decreased by 9,015 from 154,859 the previous year. The average age of the survivors rose by 0.59 to 82.65 in one year.

The ministry compiled data provided by the municipal governments of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and prefectural governments regarding certificate holders they take under their charge. The number of certificate holders has declined to 39.2 percent of its peak of 372,264 at the end of March 1981. The number of survivors living abroad was 2,966, which is included in the total figure.

The number of certificate holders the municipal government of Hiroshima oversees decreased by 2,752 to 47,632 in one year, falling below 50,000 for the first time. Their average age rose by 0.66 to 82.16.

The number of those overseen by the Hiroshima prefectural government, which does not include the City of Hiroshima, decreased by 1,443 to 18,393. Their average age was 84.52, rising by 0.6.

The number of recipients of health care benefits, about 34,000 yen per month, for survivors who have developed a specified disease, was 121,841, a drop of 6,922 from last year. Recipients of special medical benefits, 141,000 yen per month for survivors who are certified as sufferers of A-bomb related diseases, declined by 371 to 7,269.

The number of recipients of special benefits, 52,000 yen per month, for survivors who are certified as having recovered from A-bomb related diseases, was 2,407, an increase of 139.

(Originally published on July 2, 2019)

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