Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga: The government has waived its appeal against the "Black Rain" lawsuit over the Hiroshima nuclear explosion

The Paper's reporter Nan Boyi

On July 26, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would abandon appeals over the Black Rain lawsuit over the Hiroshima atomic bomb. Previously, victims affected by the "black rain" filed a compensation lawsuit with the Japanese government. July 28 is the time limit for appeal in the case.

Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported on July 27 that after the first instance, the Hiroshima High Court ordered the defendants to issue "health certificates for victims of nuclear explosions" to all plaintiffs. This means that the identity of the plaintiff in the lawsuit as a "victim of nuclear explosion" is recognized.

On August 6 and 9, 1945, U.S. troops airdropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. Locals call the phenomenon of radioactive materials and dust, water vapor condensation and landing produced by nuclear explosions "black rain". Many Japanese people suffer from diseases caused by being drenched by the "black rain" or eating water and crops contaminated by the "black rain".

According to the length and area of the "black rain", the Japanese government divides the area of radioactive pollution of nuclear explosions into heavily polluted areas and lightly polluted areas, and only residents suffering from nuclear radiation diseases in heavily polluted areas can be identified as victims of nuclear explosions and enjoy the relevant treatment provided by the government.

In recent years, some people in the lightly polluted areas of Hiroshima have filed lawsuits with the Hiroshima District Court, demanding that the Hiroshima Prefecture and Hiroshima city governments identify the victims of the nuclear explosion and issue health manuals for the victims. The Japanese government has previously said that the identification of these people as victims "lacks reasonable grounds."

According to Kyodo News Agency, the Japanese government finally made a political judgment before the 28-day deadline. Suga said that the relevant certificates would be issued to the plaintiffs immediately. Regarding victim relief, he also said that "it will be studied as soon as possible".

Kyodo News Agency pointed out that the people who poured "black rain" are old, and they have finally seen the way to relief.

Editor-in-Charge: Xu Zhenhua

Proofreader: Shi Gong