Gov`t apologizes for protracted suits over A-bomb illnesses

TOKYO, Aug. 6 Kyodo -
The government apologized Thursday to those seeking recognition as
atomic-bomb-related illness sufferers in a series of lawsuits, saying the
prolongation of their legal battle added to their sufferings.
''The state solemnly acknowledges the fact that stern judicial decisions have
been given on 19 occasions over the government certification of
atomic-bomb-related illnesses,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a
news conference, referring to the state's losing streak in the suits, first
filed in 2003.
''During this period, the lawsuits have been drawn out, A-bomb survivors have
aged and their illnesses have worsened,'' he said. ''By extending its thoughts
to A-bomb survivors' indescribable sufferings and to the sentiments the
plaintiffs have put into the jointly filed lawsuits, the state apologizes for
all of that.''
Kawamura promised the government will try to get as many survivors as possible
certified as sufferers of atomic-bomb-related illnesses under its revised
criteria.
The remarks were made shortly after Prime Minister Taro Aso and a group
representing atomic-bomb survivors signed an agreement in Hiroshima to provide
relief to all 306 plaintiffs who have sued the state to be recognized as
suffering illnesses related to the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Japan.
In June, after the state suffered its 18th straight loss in the series of suits
on the matter, Kawamura expressed his intention to hammer out the government's
position before the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima on Thursday and of
Nagasaki on Sunday.
''Thinking of the reality that (the plaintiffs) have endured indescribable
hardships from illnesses and that there are people who passed away before
seeing the outcome (of their legal battle), I'm happy to see such progress made
due to the prime minister's decision,'' Kawamura said Thursday.
Under the accord, the government will honor district court decisions that ruled
in favor of the plaintiffs and drop all its cases pending at appeals courts,
while the plaintiffs will rescind all their lawsuits.
The government will also create a fund through lawmaker-sponsored legislation
to solve problems associated with the plaintiffs who have lost their cases.
The health minister, the survivors' group, the plaintiffs and their lawyers
will also have regular consultations to solve future problems without having to
resort to litigation.
Those certified by the government as suffering from illnesses due to their
exposure to radiation from the bombings receive a special medical allowance of
137,000 yen a month.
==Kyodo