Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sept. 21 (Kazuhiro Nagashima)

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to expand the subsidy for medical expenses provided to official “hibakusha” victims in Nagasaki so that those who fall outside the designated area for recognition can receive full benefits.

Kishida announced the policy decision for “hibaku taiken sha” survivors of the city’s 1945 atomic bombing after meeting the governor of Nagasaki Prefecture and the mayor of Nagasaki city at his office in Tokyo on Sept. 21.

Under the new policy, the subsidy for medical expenses they receive will be expanded to the same level as for official hibakusha victims.

The need for annual psychiatric examinations, which was previously a requirement, will be eliminated.

“The subsidy will be applied to medical expenses as soon as possible and before the end of the year,” Kishida said.

About 6,300 people will be eligible, according to health ministry data as of the end of March this year.

A group of 44 hibaku taiken sha had filed a lawsuit against the Nagasaki prefectural and Nagasaki city governments over their lack of eligibility for an A-bomb survivor health certificate guaranteeing medical benefits.

On Sept. 9, the Nagasaki District Court ruled that “black rain” fell in parts of three former villages on the eastern side of the “A-bomb survivor” zone designated by the government.

The ruling recognized 15 plaintiffs who were in the area at the time as hibakusha.

Kishida said the central government will appeal the case, citing inconsistencies in the court’s ruling and its evaluation of the evidence.

In August, Kishida met with the plaintiffs. The prime minister then instructed officials to “resolve the issue rationally.”

Later on Sept. 21, the plaintiffs said they also plan to appeal the ruling on Sept. 24. 

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