Hiroshima court recognizes victims of ‘Black Rain’ atomic bomb

TOKYO (AP) A Japanese court on Wednesday for the first time recognized people exposed to radioactive “black rain” that fell after the 1945 US atomic bombing of Hiroshima as atomic bomb survivors, ordering the city and prefecture to ensure the same government medical benefits as provided to other survivors.

The Hiroshima District Court said all 84 plaintiffs who were outside an area previously designated by the government after the radioactive rain fell also developed radiation-induced diseases and must be certified as victims of the atomic bomb. All plaintiffs are older than the 70s, with some in the 90s.

The decision of history comes a week before the city marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S. bombing.

The U.S. dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing 140,000 people and destroying almost the entire city. The plaintiffs were in areas northwest of ground zero, where radioactive black rain fell hours after the bomb fell.

Plaintiffs have developed diseases such as cancer and radiation-related cataracts after being exposed to black rain, not only what fell, but also getting water and food in the area contaminated by the radiation.

They filed lawsuits after the city of Hiroshima and prefectural officials opposed their request to expand the area to cover their areas where even black rain was falling.

In Wednesday’s ruling, the court said the plaintiffs’ argument regarding their exposure to black rain was reasonable and that their medical records showed they had health problems related to radiation exposure.

One of the plaintiffs, Minor Honke, who was exposed to black rain at the age of 4, said more than a dozen people died during the trial. “I want to tell those we have won,” he said.

Osamu Saito, a doctor who examined the survivors of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, welcomed the ruling to consider the welfare of the survivors based on an assumption that anyone in the area who was hit by the rain could have been affected by the radiation.

Earlier in the day, dozens of plaintiffs went to Hiroshima court in the rain, displaying a placard that read: “Certificate for all victims of” black rain. “Once the verdict was handed down, the plaintiffs’ attorneys left the court, pointing a banner reading “Complete Victory,” and their supporters applauded and cheered.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that the government will closely review the decision and respond after consulting with affiliated government agencies and Hiroshima officials.

By MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press