The central government, together with the prefecture and the city of Hiroshima, has appealed the district court ruling that recognized 84 people who were exposed to radioactive "black rain" as survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, despite their being outside the area designated by the government as eligible for medical support.
Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Katsunobu Kato announced on Wednesday the appeal of the ruling by the Hiroshima District Court. Kato also indicated that the government will examine the causal relationship between black rain and health problems, and consider expanding the coverage area.
The prefecture and city of Hiroshima are the defendants in the lawsuit. The central government, which has a system for providing assistance to atomic bomb survivors, is taking part in the case in a supplementary role.
In its July 29 ruling, the Hiroshima District Court recognized all 84 plaintiffs as atomic bomb survivors and ordered the prefecture and city of Hiroshima to issue them a survivor's medical certificate.
The court found the plaintiffs' testimony that they were exposed to black rain to be credible, and decided that the impact of the atomic bomb on their health could not be ruled out.
The central government argued that the ruling "lacked sufficient scientific foundation," and had asked the municipal and prefectural governments to appeal the ruling,
The local governments have long requested that the coverage area be expanded, and urged the central government not to appeal. However, they decided to accept the central government's request after discussions, because the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry expressed its willingness to reconsider the coverage area with a view to expanding it.
Within the range where black rain is said to have fallen, the central government has designated an area northwest of the hypocenter, where the rain is believed to have been heavy, as the area in which victims were eligible for support.
People who were exposed to the black rain in this particular area are entitled to free health checks and can receive a survivor's medical certificate, which extends free medical care, in principle, for conditions including cancer.
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