Photo/Illutration Tamashii Honda, second from left, who represents a group of bereaved families, gives a letter of request to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, during an annual meeting in the city. Chiyoko Iwanaga, third from right, representing survivors who did not qualify for hibakusha status, was also invited to this year's Aug. 9 gathering.

NAGASAKI—Individuals who were survivors of the atomic bombings but did not meet the official qualifications for hibakusha status met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Aug. 9. 

This marked the first time that representatives of this demographic met with a prime minister.

Not being officially recognized as an atomic bomb survivor has prevented many from receiving government aid, despite suffering from health complications. They hope that this meeting is the first step toward future assistance.

The government designated that victims could only be considered hibakusha and receive certificates ensuring them aid if they were within a specified zone of the bombs' blast radius.

At the end of March, there are about 6,300 people who fall into this category, according to the health ministry. This demographic has long been vocal about their medical concerns and other issues.

The prime minister meets with atomic bomb victims each year in Nagasaki. This year, uncertified survivors were also invited.

After the meeting, Kishida told attendees, “I have just ordered the health minister to establish concrete measures for Nagasaki city and prefecture that could quickly resolve the issues in a reasonable way.”

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