Japanese Court Fulfills Demands For Health Benefits Of Atomic Bomb Survivors In 1945

Bom Hiroshima (Sumber: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - A Japanese court has for the first time recognized survivors who were outside the radiation zone of the 1945 US atomic bomb attack in Hiroshima as victims of the radioactive 'black rain' on Wednesday, July 29. To that end, the court asked the city and prefecture to provide health benefits to those who survived.

According to the Associated Press, there were 84 people who sued the Hiroshima District court. Which is their average age in the range of 70 to 90 years. Then, those who feel that they are affected by the radiotactive impact of black rain continue to demand their rights.

It was noted that most of the diseases suffered by the plaintiffs were dominated by cancer and cataracts. Allegedly, radioactive substances that enter their bodies are believed to be from black rain radiation. As a result, the rain then contaminates the water and food in the area where they live.

Based on that the court ruled that the plaintiffs' argument regarding exposure to black rain radiation to them was reasonable. Because, all of them are supported by medical records that show radiation exposure which is detrimental to their health.

One of the plaintiffs, Minoru Honke, for example. Honke had been exposed to black rain radiation at the age of 4, saying he was happy with the verdict.

Even so, there was a look of sadness on Honke's face because the selection of their colleagues who were members of the 84 plaintiffs had died. "I want to tell them we have won," he said.

Not only Honke. A doctor examining atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima, Osamu Saitu, said he welcomed the verdict. He revealed this considering that the survivors really deserve to be prosperous for the rest of their lives.

The day before the trial, dozens of plaintiffs were seen walking to the Hiroshima court in the middle of a swift forest. They also carried large banners reading "certificates for all black rain victims."

However, when the court's decision came out, they then issued a new banner reading “Complete Victory” which was followed by cheers and applause from their fellow survivors. Furthermore, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga revealed that the government will carefully examine the decision.

Based on history, the US dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. At least, 140 thousand people died in the incident and destroyed the entire city. Because it was so loudly radioactive, black rain fell after several hours of the atomic bombs being dropped.