Aug 13 (Japan Times) - The central government and Hiroshima local governments appealed Wednesday a landmark ruling last month by the Hiroshima District Court that had recognized more victims of radioactive “black rain,†caused by fallout from the atomic bombing of the city, as eligible for support.
But the central government also said it would discuss expanding designated areas of support for the victims so that they would be able to receive assistance.
“Since the (Hiroshima court’s) decision is different from successive Supreme Court rulings, the decision was made to appeal,†Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters Wednesday afternoon.
“We can’t say the court’s decision was based on sufficient scientific evidence,†health minister Katsunobu Kato said Wednesday after announcing the government’s decision.
With the appeal, there are concerns about how much longer the elderly plaintiffs, many of whom are in failing health, can wait.
In Hiroshima, plaintiffs and their lawyers criticized the decision to appeal.
“It’s clear that the health of the plaintiffs has been damaged by the effects of the atomic bomb. An appeal based on a political judgement, using (insufficient) scientific evidence as an excuse, tramples on the feelings of the aging people who suffered from black rain,†they said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
The Hiroshima prefectural and municipal governments were reportedly reluctant to push for an appeal but went along with the central government after it said it would review the areas of support.
“The central government is picking on the judicial judgement. The appeal is extremely regrettable, but we’ll continue to fight to win,†said Masaaki Takano, 82, head of the plaintiffs’ group.
