Average age of 113,649 A-bomb Survivor’s Certificate holders exceeds 85 years, according to Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare data
Jul. 4, 2023
by Masaharu Nakagawa, Staff Writer
On July 3, data from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare showed that the average age of A-bomb survivors holding an Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate as of the end of March this year reached a record high 85.01 years, an increase of 0.48 years compared with the same time last year. The number of certificate holders fell to 113,649, a decrease of 5,286 people. As the survivors continue to age, the challenge now has become how to pass on information about the A-bombing tragedies to future generations.
The ministry compiled data of certificate holders managed by the cities and prefectures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as by other city and prefectural governments throughout Japan. The number of certificate holders managed by the Hiroshima City government decreased by 216 over the past 12 months, to 39,374 people. The average age of the certificate holders reached 84.62, an increase of 0.48 years. The number of certificate holders managed by the Hiroshima Prefecture government, excluding the Hiroshima City figures, fell by 289, to 14,086 people, while the average age increased by 0.19 years, to 86.33.
Nationwide, the number of certificate holders decreased from the 118,935 figure recorded at the end of March 2022, reaching the 110,000 level for the second consecutive year. Over the past year, 9,350 A-bomb survivors died. On the other hand, 3,981 people newly received certificates based on new eligibility criteria initiated last April for those exposed to the “black rain” that fell after the Hiroshima atomic bombing. The total number of certificate holders is now less than one-third the largest-ever number of 372,264, recorded at the end of March 1981. The number of survivors living overseas decreased by 134, to 2,524 individuals.
Regarding the number of A-bomb survivors in Japan receiving an assortment of allowances, 93,603 people obtained a health care allowance (35,760 yen per month), paid out when a survivor is diagnosed with specific diseases or medical conditions, a decrease of 3,853 individuals from the previous year. Recipients collecting special medical subsidies (145,420 yen per month) based on recognition of their suffering from A-bomb related diseases totaled 5,656, a decrease of 406 individuals.
(Originally published on July 4, 2023)
On July 3, data from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare showed that the average age of A-bomb survivors holding an Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Certificate as of the end of March this year reached a record high 85.01 years, an increase of 0.48 years compared with the same time last year. The number of certificate holders fell to 113,649, a decrease of 5,286 people. As the survivors continue to age, the challenge now has become how to pass on information about the A-bombing tragedies to future generations.
The ministry compiled data of certificate holders managed by the cities and prefectures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as by other city and prefectural governments throughout Japan. The number of certificate holders managed by the Hiroshima City government decreased by 216 over the past 12 months, to 39,374 people. The average age of the certificate holders reached 84.62, an increase of 0.48 years. The number of certificate holders managed by the Hiroshima Prefecture government, excluding the Hiroshima City figures, fell by 289, to 14,086 people, while the average age increased by 0.19 years, to 86.33.
Nationwide, the number of certificate holders decreased from the 118,935 figure recorded at the end of March 2022, reaching the 110,000 level for the second consecutive year. Over the past year, 9,350 A-bomb survivors died. On the other hand, 3,981 people newly received certificates based on new eligibility criteria initiated last April for those exposed to the “black rain” that fell after the Hiroshima atomic bombing. The total number of certificate holders is now less than one-third the largest-ever number of 372,264, recorded at the end of March 1981. The number of survivors living overseas decreased by 134, to 2,524 individuals.
Regarding the number of A-bomb survivors in Japan receiving an assortment of allowances, 93,603 people obtained a health care allowance (35,760 yen per month), paid out when a survivor is diagnosed with specific diseases or medical conditions, a decrease of 3,853 individuals from the previous year. Recipients collecting special medical subsidies (145,420 yen per month) based on recognition of their suffering from A-bomb related diseases totaled 5,656, a decrease of 406 individuals.
(Originally published on July 4, 2023)
