Japan court recognises A-bomb 'black rain' victims

A Japanese court on Wednesday for the first time recognized people exposed to radioactive "black rain" that fell after the US atomic attack on Hiroshima as A-bomb survivors, ordering the city and the prefecture to provide the same government medical benefits as other survivors.

The Hiroshima District Court said all 84 plaintiffs in ages from 70s to 90s who were outside of the government-set zone also developed radiation-induced illnesses and should be certified as A-bomb victims.

The landmark ruling comes a week before the city marks its 75th anniversary of the US atomic bombing.

The US dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing 140,000 people and almost destroying the entire city.

The plaintiffs were in areas northwest of ground zero where radioactive black rain fell hours after the bomb was dropped. Three days later, the US dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki, killing another 70,000 people.

The 84 plaintiffs have developed 11 illnesses such as cancer and cataracts linked to radiation effects after they were exposed to black rain, not only externally but by taking water and food in the area contaminated with radiation.

They filed the lawsuit after Hiroshima city and prefectural officials rejected their request to expand the zone to cover their areas where black rain also fell.

Hiroshima's city and prefectural governments had rejected the plaintiffs' application in 2015-2018 for health care benefits as atomic bombing survivors.

In Wednesday's ruling, the court said the plaintiffs' argument about their black rain exposures is reasonable and that their medical records show they have health problems linked to radiation exposures.

Earlier in the day, dozens of plaintiffs walked into the Hiroshima court in the rain, showing a banner saying "Certificates to all 'black rain' victims." As soon as the ruling was issued, lawyers for the plaintiffs ran out of the court, showing a banner reading "full victory," and their supporters applauded and cheered.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that the government will closely examine the ruling and respond after consulting with related government agencies and Hiroshima officials.

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