nuclear-news

Japan – Class action law suit for the Children of the Atom bombs

A national association representing the rights of children of atomic bomb victims will initiate a class action lawsuit against the central government in February 2017, in which it will demand financial compensation.

Image source here

Japanese version here

The association — which made the announcement on Dec. 20 — has decided to commence the lawsuit on the grounds that the current absence of support measures for children of A-bomb victims is essentially illegal.

The case will take place in district courts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This will be the first time for children of A-bomb victims to take legal action as a group.

The association consists of 19 groups across Japan, and the number of plaintiffs is predicted to reach approximately 50 — with people in regions such as Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Yamaguchi and Osaka expected to take part in the lawsuit.

Under the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Assistance Act, A-bomb victims receive various kinds of support from the government, such as financial aid for medical costs. However, the children of the victims are exempt from this law on the grounds that there is insufficient scientific knowledge about the genetic effects of the A-bombs. Nevertheless, the government carries out annual health checkups for second-generation victims, in an attempt to address health concerns.

ニュースサイトで読む: http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20161221/p2a/00m/0na/005000c#csidxcbc33eb57285a2c8c202aa4ef39eae2
Copyright 毎日新聞