2 ex-Dutch POWs apply to Japan for A-bomb recognition

NAGASAKI, Sept. 25 Kyodo - Two former Dutch prisoners of war who were detained in Nagasaki during World War II and survived the 1945 atomic bombing of the city applied Thursday for
recognition by the Japanese government as radiation illness sufferers so they
can receive medical benefits.
The two men -- Ronald Scholte, 84, who currently resides in the southern
Netherlands, and Armand Busselaar, 84, from The Hague -- filed the application
with the city through Nobuto Hirano, a representative of a Nagasaki-based group
supporting atomic-bomb survivors abroad.
Their move comes on the heels of a legal amendment in June that enables
survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima who currently
live outside Japan to apply for recognition without coming to the country. If
their applications are accepted, certification of their status as atomic-bomb
sufferers, or ''hibakusha,'' will be issued at Japan's overseas diplomatic
missions.
Currently, atomic-bomb survivors living outside of Japan are required to come
to Japan to apply for government recognition under the Atomic Bomb Victims
Relief Law. But many survivors cannot do so because of old age or health
problems.
Nagasaki city will examine the applications from the two Dutch men in advance
of the revision of the law scheduled for later this year. If they are confirmed
as atomic-bomb sufferers, their applications will be formally accepted after
the revised law takes effect. Hibakusha certifications would then be issued
through the Japanese Embassy in the Netherlands so that they can receive
medical benefits there.
It is extremely rare for former POWs held by the Imperial Japanese Army to file
applications for recognition as hibakusha. Observers say the Japanese
government needs to take concrete steps to fully inform other former POWs of
atomic bomb-related relief measures they are entitled to receive.
The two Dutch men became aware of the possibility of obtaining healthcare
benefits without actually coming to Japan through a local supporters' group
called Pelita this summer.
There are currently an estimated 70 or more atomic-bomb survivors of Dutch
nationality, and similar applications are expected to be filed with the
Japanese government in the future.
Scholte has said he wants to be recognized as a survivor and receive support as
soon as possible because of his age.
It appears possible to prove they are survivors of the bombing because the
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the city government both
keep lists of the names of former POWs.
Hirano conducted a survey in the Netherlands in mid-September by interviewing
former POWs and local supporters before he received an application from Scholte
to file on the Dutchman's behalf.
Shortly before the Aug. 9, 1945 bombing, Scholte was digging an air raid
shelter near the prison camp. He said that he suddenly saw a dazzling light and
that the blast blew him 3 meters into the shelter. He lost consciousness for a
while but received no major injuries.
After returning to the Netherlands, he worked as an engineer for the army until
he retired at the age of 57. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with prostate
cancer and underwent radiation treatment.
==Kyodo