Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

Call for better measures of the Ministry to support A-bomb victims

On 24 July, RENGO, together with GENSUIKIN (Japan Congress against A- and H-Bombs) and KAKKIN (National Council for Peace and Against Nuclear Weapons), requested the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to improve measures to support bomb victims. The request was made jointly as part of the peace action aimed at abolishing nuclear weapons, following the first joint request made in November 2004.

Mr. Ishii, Director, General Affairs Division of Health Service Bureau of the Ministry, was limited to answering: 1) there is no clear effect of treatments for the second- and third-generation victims; 2) it would be difficult in administrative terms to issue a certificate to an overseas victim at a diplomatic establishment abroad; 3) it would not be possible to investigate the actual conditions of all overseas victims, due to diplomatic relations with the DPRK; 4) the draft of FY 2007 budget would only include existing programmes as in the past. However, he agreed that the Ministry would continue to have consultation with the three organizations.

RENGO, GENSUIKIN and KAKKIN will report the meeting in gatherings and symposiums to be held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in coming August and also will strengthen the cooperation to realize the demand.