Relevant Laws by Jurisdiction around the World

JapanLaw No. 117 of 1994/ The Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Support Law

Preamble

In August 1945 atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where these weapons of unparalleled destructive power not only instantly extinguished a multitude of precious lives, but also imposed, even on the survivors who narrowly escaped death, a lifetime of incurable injuries and aftereffects, to be lived while dogged by anxiety.

To maintain and improve the health and welfare of atomic bomb survivors suffering from health damage caused by atomic-bomb radiation, we have enacted the Law on Medical Care of the Atomic Bomb Survivors and the Law on Special Measures for the Atomic Bomb Survivors, and have taken measures including the provision of medical care and the payment of special medical care allowances. As the world’s sole atomic-bombed nation, we have continued a worldwide appeal for the ultimate abolition of nuclear weapons and the establishment of lasting world peace in our determination to prevent a repetition of such a tragedy.

On this occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the atomic bombing, we enact this law under the responsibility of the state, reaffirming our determination to work toward the ultimate abolition of nuclear weapons, praying for lasting peace so that the horrors of the atomic bombing will never be repeated, and taking comprehensive measures for heath, medical care and welfare of the aging atomic bomb survivors, in light of the fact that the health damage caused by radiation resulting from the atomic bombings is a unique kind of damage different from any other war damage, and remembering, as the state, the sacrifice of precious human lives by the victims of the atomic bombings.

Chapter I General Provisions

(Atomic Bomb Survivors)

Article 1

The term ‘atomic bomb survivor’ as used in this Law means a person to whom any of the following categories applies and who has been issued a Health Handbook for Atomic Bomb Survivors:

(1) A person who was in the area of Hiroshima or Nagasaki City at the time of the atomic bombing, or in an area adjacent to the areas of these cities, as determined by Cabinet Order;

(2) A person who, within the period of time specified by Cabinet Order from the time of the atomic bombing, was in a Cabinet Order-specified place within an area specified in the preceding item;

(3) In addition to those listed in the preceding two items, a person who was under circumstances, at the time of or after the atomic bombing, which affected the person physically due to atomic-bomb radioactivity; or

(4) A person who was a fetus of a person listed in any of the preceding three items when any of the reasons set forth in those items applied to the latter person at that time.

(Health Handbooks for Atomic Bomb Survivors)

Article 2

1. Persons who wish to receive Health Handbooks for Atomic Bomb Survivors must apply to the prefectural governors of their places of residence (if they do not have places of residence, their current locations shall be used).

2. Persons who wish to receive Health Handbooks for Atomic Bomb Survivors and who do not have places of residence or current places of residence in Japan may apply, as specified by Cabinet Order, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, to the prefectural governors with jurisdiction over the places where the persons resided at the time when any of the grounds stipulated in each item of the preceding Article applied to them.

3. The prefectural governor shall examine applicants on the basis of their applications under the preceding two paragraphs, and issue Health Handbooks for Atomic Bomb Survivors to the applicants when any of the items of the preceding Article apply to them.

4. In addition to the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs, a Cabinet Order shall specify other necessary matters concerning the Health Handbook for Atomic Bomb Survivors.

Chapter II Deletion

(Articles 3 to 5 deleted)

Chapter III Support

Section I General Provisions

(Comprehensive Implementation of Support)

Article 6

In order to maintain and improve the health and welfare of atomic bomb survivors, the State shall comprehensively support the survivors in coordination with prefectures and the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Section II Health Management

(Medical Examinations)
Article 7

Prefectural governors shall conduct annual medical examinations of atomic bomb survivors in accordance with the provisions of an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(Medical Examination Records)

Article 8

When a medical examination has been conducted pursuant to the preceding Article, the prefectural governor shall prepare a medical examination record and preserve it for the period specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(Guidance)

Article 9

Prefectural governors shall, when it is found necessary as a result of medical examinations under Article 7, provide necessary guidance to persons who have undergone the said medical examination.

Section III Medical Treatment

(Medical Care)

Article 10

1. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare shall provide the necessary medical care for atomic bomb survivors who need medical treatment due to injuries or illnesses caused by the injurious effects of the atomic bombs. However, if the injuries or illnesses in question were not caused by radiation from the atomic bombs, medical care shall be limited to cases in which survivors are in need of treatment because their healing capacity is affected by atomic-bomb radiation.

2. The scope of medical benefits provided for in the preceding paragraph is as follows:

(1) Medical Examinations;

(2) Provision of medicines or treatment materials;

(3) Medical procedures, surgery, and other treatments and procedures;

(4) Management of home treatment, and the assistance and other care associated with that treatment;

(5) Admission to hospitals or clinics, and the assistance and other care associated with that treatment; and

(6) Transport.

3. The medical care prescribed in paragraph (1) shall be implemented by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare by commissioning it to medical care providers designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare pursuant to Article 12, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as ‘designated medical care providers’).

(Certification)

Article 11

1. A person who intends to receive the medical treatment prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article must in advance obtain certification from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare showing that the injury or illness in question was caused by the injurious effects of the atomic bombs.

2. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must hear the opinions of the Councils (organs prescribed in Article 8 of the National Government Organization Act (Act No. 120 of 1948)), which are specified by Cabinet Order, to grant the certification set forth in paragraph (1). However, this shall not apply when it is clear whether the injury or illness in question was caused by the injurious effects of the atomic bombs.

(Designation of Medical Care Providers)

Article 12

1. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare designates hospitals, clinics (including those specified by Cabinet Order as equivalent to these hospitals or clinics), or pharmacies to be in charge of the medical care prescribed in Article 10, paragraph (1), with the consent of the persons who have established the hospitals, medical institutions, or pharmacies.

2. Designated medical care providers may decline the designation with a notice of at least 30 days.

3. When a certain designated medical care provider has violated Article 13, paragraph (1), when there has been a change of the physician in charge, or when there are other reasons for finding that it is highly inappropriate to have a certain designated medical care provider in charge of the medical care prescribed in Article 10, paragraph (1), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may rescind the designation.

(Obligation of Designated Medical Care Providers)

Article 13

1. Designated medical care providers must be in charge of the medical care prescribed in Article 10, paragraph (1), as specified by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

2. Designated medical care providers must follow the guidance issued by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare with regard to the provision of the medical care prescribed in Article 10, paragraph (1).

(Medical Treatment Policy and Medical Treatment Fees)

Article 14

1. The medical service policies and medical fees of designated medical care providers shall be governed by the same rules as those for the medical service policy and medical treatment fees for health insurance.

2. In cases where the medical service policies and medical treatment fees prescribed in paragraph (1) cannot be applied, or are deemed inappropriate, the medical treatment policies and fees shall conform to the rules determined by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(Examination and Payment of Medical Expenses)

Article 15

1. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may at any time examine the specific medical treatments provided and charges therefor by designated medical care providers, and may determine the amounts of medical treatment fees that designated medical care providers can claim pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article.

2. Designated medical care providers must comply with the decision by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare on the amounts of medical treatment fees pursuant to paragraph (1) of the same Article.

3. In determining the amounts of the medical treatment fees pursuant to paragraph (1) of the same Article, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must hear the opinions of the Examination Committee provided for in the Social Insurance Medical Fee Payment Fund Act (Act No. 129 of 1948), the National Health Insurance Medical Treatment Fee Review Committee provided for in the National Health Insurance Act (Act No. 192 of 1958), and other examination bodies related to medical care and specified by Cabinet Order.

4. The State may commission the Social Insurance Medical Fee Payment Fund, a Federation of National Health Insurance Associations and other entities specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, with administrative procedures pertaining to the payment of medical treatment fees to designated medical care providers.

5. No request for review may be made with regard to determining the amounts of medical treatment fees under paragraph (1).

(Request for Reports and Inspections)

Article 16

1. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may, when an examination under Article 15 paragraph (1) is required, seek the preparation of the necessary report from the administrator of a designated medical care provider, or have a Ministry official inspect the designated medical care provider’s medical records and other bookkeeping data and documents on site (including such electromagnetic records (i.e. records made in an electronic form, a magnetic form, or any other form that is not human-readable, and used for information processing by a computer) in cases where such electromagnetic records are prepared or preserved), with the consent of the administrator.

2. When the administrator of a designated medical care provider has failed to respond to a request for a report under Article 16, paragraph (1) without justification or has made a false report, or has refused the consent under the same paragraph, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may temporarily suspend the payment of medical treatment fees to the said designated medical care provider.

(Payment of Medical Expenses)

Article 17

1. In a case where an atomic bomb survivor has received medical treatment listed in any item of Article 10, paragraph (2) from an entity other than a designated medical care provider due to an emergency or other compelling reason, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may, when it is found necessary, pay medical expenses in lieu of the medical care prescribed in Article 10, paragraph (1). The same shall apply in cases where atomic bomb survivors have received medical care listed in any item of Article 10, paragraph (2), from a designated medical care provider in an emergency or for other unavoidable reasons without complying with the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (1).

2. The amount of medical expenses payed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be the amount calculated in accordance with the examples of medical treatment fees that may be charged by a designated medical care provider pursuant to the provisions of Article 14, provided that the amount shall not exceed that of the actual expenses.

3. When it is necessary to pay medical expenses pursuant to paragraph (1), the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may order the person who has provided said medical care, or the entity who has employed the person, to submit reports, medical records, account books and documents, or other materials concerning the provided medical care, or may require the relevant officials inquire into the matter.

(Payment of Medical Expenses for General Diseases)

Article 18

1. When an atomic bomb survivor receives medical treatment listed in any item of Article 10, paragraph (2) from a medical care provider designated by the prefectural governor pursuant to the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as ‘Atomic Bomb Survivors General Medical Institution’), or receives such medical treatment from an entity other than an atomic bomb survivors general medical institution due to an emergency or other unavoidable reason, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may pay the person medical expenses for general diseases (excluding injuries and diseases, hereditary diseases, congenital diseases, and other injuries and diseases specified by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, for which medical care specified in Article 10, paragraph (1), is available) up to the amount of the expenses incurred for the aforementioned medical treatment. However, if the person receives or is able to receive medical care for said injury or illness under the Health Insurance Act (Act No. 70 of 1926), Mariners’ Insurance Act (Act No. 73 of 1949), National Health Insurance Act, National Public Employees’ Mutual Aid Association Act (Act No. 128 of 1958; including cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis or by way of example), or Local Public Employees’ Mutual Aid Association Act (Act No. 152 of 1962) (referred to below in this article as the ‘Social Insurance Acts’), Act on Ensuring Medical Care for the Elderly (Act No. 80 of 1982), Long-Term Care Insurance Act (1997) Law No. 123), Labour Standards Act (Act No. 49 of 1947), Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act (Act No. 50 of 1947), Mariners’ Act (Act No. 100 of 1947), or Japan Sports Development Centre Act (Act No. 162 of 2002), or if the medical care is provided as a medical care benefit at the expense of the State or a local public entity pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations, the amount of the medical care paid shall be no more than the amount of the medical care benefit minus the actual cost of said medical care (if the person receives or is able to receive medical treatment benefits under the provisions of the Social Insurance Acts or the Act on Maintenance of Medical Care for the Elderly, the amount shall be the amount equivalent to the partial payment under the provisions of the Social Insurance Acts or the Act on Maintenance of Medical Care for the Elderly in relation to said medical treatment benefits, and if such medical treatment is provided as payment in kind of medical care covered by the State or a local public authority pursuant to the provisions of laws and regulations, it shall be the amount of the actual costs charged for said medical treatment benefits).

2. Paragraph (2) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the calculation of the expenses required for medical care set out in the preceding paragraph of the same Article.

3. In cases where atomic bomb survivors have received medical care from an atomic bomb survivors general medical institution, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare may, on behalf of atomic bomb survivors, pay the expenses that survivors are supposed to pay to medical care providers for said medical treatment, up to the amount that should be paid to them as medical expenses for general diseases.

4. When a payment has been made pursuant to paragraph (3) of this Article, it shall be deemed as a payment of general-disease medical expenses for that atomic bomb survivor.

5. If atomic bomb survivors who are insured persons or partners under the provisions of the Social Insurance Laws or the Act on Assurance of Medical Care for Elderly People, receive medical treatment from an atomic bomb survivors general medical institution for an injury or illness prescribed in paragraph (1) of this Article, notwithstanding the provisions of the relevant Social Insurance Laws or the Act on Ensuring Medical Care for the Elderly, the partial payment payable to said medical institution pursuant to the provisions of the Social Insurance Acts or the Act on Ensuring Medical Care for the Elderly People shall not be required until the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare decides not to make payment pursuant to paragraph (3) of this Article for said medical care.

(Atomic Bomb Survivors General Medical Institution)

Article 19

1. Prefectural governors shall designate the hospitals, clinics (including those specified by Cabinet Order as equivalent to these hospitals or clinics), or pharmacies, with the consent of the entities which have established them, as the institutions which can receive payment as prescribed in Article 18, paragraph (3).

2. An atomic bomb survivors general medical institution may decline the designation with not less than 30 days’ notice.

3. A prefectural governor may revoke the designation when there are grounds for finding it highly inappropriate for an atomic bomb survivors general medical institution to receive payment under Article 18, paragraph (3).

Article 20

1. The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must, in determining the amount to be paid pursuant to the provisions of Article 18, paragraph (3), hear the opinions of the Review Committee provided for in the Social Insurance Medical Fee Payment Fund Act, the National Health Insurance Medical Fee Review Committee provided for in the National Health Insurance Act, and other examination bodies related to medical care specified by a Cabinet Order.

2. The State may delegate the administrative procedures concerning the payment pursuant to the provisions of Article 18, paragraph (3), to the Social Insurance Medical Fee Payment Fund, the Federation of National Health Insurance Associations, and entities designated by other relevant Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(Request for Report)

Article 21

The provisions of Article 16 shall apply mutatis mutandis when it is deemed necessary for payment prescribed in Article 18, paragraph (3). Article 17, paragraph (3), shall apply when it is deemed necessary to provide a medical treatment fees of general diseases.

(Limitations on the Payment of Medical Expenses for General Diseases)

Article 22

If atomic bomb survivors have suffered from injuries or illnesses caused by their willful criminal acts, or have intentionally suffered from injuries or illnesses, they shall be ineligible to receive any medical expenses for general illnesses related to said injuries or illnesses.

Article 23

When atomic bomb survivors have been injured or have fallen ill due to a physical altercation, drunkenness, or extreme misconduct, the payment of general medical expenses for general diseases related to said injuries or illnesses may be denied, in whole or in part. The same shall apply if the atomic bomb survivors have been injured or suffered from diseases due to gross negligence, or if they have failed to follow instructions regarding medical care without reasonable grounds.

(Delegation to Cabinet Order)

Article 23.2

In addition to the provisions of this section, requirements for certification under the provisions of Article 11, designated medical care providers and atomic bomb survivors general medical institutions, shall be specified by a Cabinet Order.

Section IV: Allowances and Other Benefits

(Payment of Special Medical Care Allowance)

Article 24

1. Prefectural governors shall pay a special medical care allowance to persons who have been certified under Article 11, paragraph (1), and who suffer from an injury or illness related to the certification.

2. When people specified in the preceding paragraph intend to receive the special medical care allowance, they must obtain certification from their prefectural governors that they meet the requirements prescribed in paragraph (1) of this Article.

3. The special medical care allowance shall be paid on a monthly basis and the amount shall be 135,400 yen per month.

4. The payment of the special medical care allowance shall begin in the month following the month in which a person certified under paragraph (2) of this Article applies for certification under the same paragraph and shall end in the month in which the person no longer meets the requirements prescribed in paragraph (1) of this Article.

(Payment of Special Allowances)

Article 25

1. Prefectural governors shall pay a special allowance to persons who have been certified under Article 11, paragraph (1). However, this shall not apply if they receive the special medical care allowance.

2. When persons specified in the preceding paragraph intend to receive the special allowance, they must obtain certification from the prefectural governor that they meet the requirements set forth in paragraph (1) of this Article.

3. The special allowance shall be paid on a monthly basis, and the amount shall be 50,000 yen per month.

4. The payment of special allowance begins in the month following the month in which persons who have been certified under paragraph (2) of this Article apply for the certification under the same paragraph and ends in the month that includes the day on which they cease to meet the requirements set out in paragraph (1) of the same Article.

(Payment of Atomic-Bomb Microcephaly Allowance)

Article 26

1. Prefectural governors shall pay the atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance to atomic bomb survivors who suffer from microcephaly due to the effects of radiation from the atomic bombs (excluding those who do not have mental or physical disabilities as a result of microcephaly, within the scope specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

2. When persons specified in the preceding paragraph intend to receive the atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance, they must obtain certification from the prefectural governor that they meet the requirements specified in paragraph (1) of this Article.

3. The atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance shall be paid on a monthly basis, and the amount shall be 46,600 yen per month.

4. Payment of the atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance shall begin in the month following the month in which a person certified under paragraph (2) of this Article applies for certification under the same paragraph and shall end in the month in which the person dies.

(Payment of Health Management Allowances)

Article 27

1. Prefectural governors shall pay health management allowances to atomic bomb survivors who suffer from hematopoietic dysfunction, liver dysfunction, or other diseases accompanied by disorders specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (excluding those clearly not caused by radiation from the atomic bombs). However, this shall not apply to survivors who receive special medical care allowances, special allowances, or the atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance.

2. When persons specified in the preceding paragraph intend to receive health management allowances, they must obtain certification from their prefectural governors that they satisfy the requirements set forth in paragraph (1) of this Article.

3. When prefectural governors grant certification under paragraph (2) of this Article, they shall also specify the period of time which the disease in question is reckoned to continue. In this case, the period shall be determined within the duration fixed by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare for each disease set forth in the paragraph (1) of this Article.

4. The health management allowances shall be paid on a monthly basis and the amount shall be 33,300 yen per month.

5. The payment of health management allowances shall begin from the month following the month in which the application for certification under paragraph (2) of this Article is made by a person who has been certified under the same paragraph, and shall end the day on which the period specified in paragraph (3) of this Article expires for that person, as calculated from the starting date (or, in the case of a person who ceases to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) of this Article prior to the date of that period’s expiration, the day on which that person ceases to meet the requirements).

(Payment of Health Allowances)

Article 28

1. Prefectural governors shall pay health allowances to atomic bomb survivors who were within two kilometers of the hypocenter when an atomic bomb was dropped or who were fetuses of such survivors at that time. However, this shall not apply to survivors who are receiving the special medical care allowance, special allowance, atomic bomb microcephaly allowance, or health management allowance.

2. Persons specified in the preceding paragraph must, before receiving the health allowance, obtain certification from their prefectural governors that they meet the requirements prescribed in paragraph (1) of this Article.

3. The health allowance shall be paid on a monthly basis, and its amount shall be 16,700 yen per month. However, when a prefectural governor certifies that either of the following items applies to a person, and when that item currently applies to that person, the amount of the health allowance shall be 33,300 yen per month.

(1) A person who has a physical disability within the scope specified by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (except those clearly not due to the injurious effects of the atomic bomb)

(2) A person seventy years of age or older who has no spouse (including the one who is in a de facto marriage relationship with the person but the marriage has not been registered yet; the same shall apply in paragraph (2) of Article 33),no children or grandchildren, and who live alone.

4. The payment of health allowances shall begin in the month following the month in which the person who has been certified under Article 28, paragraph (2) applies for certification under the same paragraph, and shall end in the month during which the person ceases to meet the requirements set out in paragraph (1) of this Article.

5. In a case wherein a person who has been certified under paragraph (2) of this Article is newly certified by the prefectural governor as prescribed in the proviso of paragraph (3) of this Article, the health allowance shall be revised from the month following the month in which the application for such certification is filed.

6. When the proviso of paragraph (3) of this Article no longer applies to a person who had been certified under paragraph (2) of this Article, the health allowance amount shall be revised in the month following the month in which the paragraph (3) proviso no longer applies.

(Automatic Revision of Allowances)

Article 29

1. The amounts of the special medical care allowance, special allowance, atomic-bombs microcephaly allowance, health management allowances, and health allowances (hereinafter in this article referred to simply as ‘allowances’) are subject to revision as follows. In the event that the National Average Consumer Price Index prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Price Index’) exceeds or falls below the Price Index in 1993 (or, if measures to revise the amounts of allowances under this paragraph have been taken, then in the year prior to the most recent year in which such measures were taken), the amounts of said allowances shall be revised on the basis of the ratio of the increase or decrease from April of the following year.

2. Measures to revise the amount of allowances pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be specified by a Cabinet Order.

(Notification)

Article 30

1. A person who has been certified under Article 24, paragraph (2), Article 25, paragraph (2), Article 26, paragraph (2), Article 27, paragraph (2) or Article 28, paragraph (2), must, as prescribed by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, notify the prefectural governor of matters specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

2. A prefectural governor may temporarily suspend the payment of special medical care allowances, special allowances, atomic bomb microcephaly allowances, health management allowances, or health allowances when a person receiving such an allowance has failed to submit a notification under the provision of the preceding paragraph without justifiable grounds.

(Payment of Nursing Care Allowances)

Article 31

A prefectural governor shall pay a nursing care allowance to atomic bomb survivors who are in need of nursing care due to mental or physical disabilities within the scope specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (except for those clearly not caused by the injurious effects of the atomic bombs; the same shall apply hereinafter in this Article), and who are receiving a nursing care, for the period during which they are receiving such care, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order. However, this does not apply to a period during which the person receives the nursing care without paying the nursing care provider (except for a person whose mental or physical disability is specified as a severe disability by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare).

(Payment of Funeral Service Fees)

Article 32

In the event of the death of an atomic bomb survivor, the prefectural governor shall pay the funeral service fee to the person conducting the funeral, as specified by a Cabinet Order. However, this shall not apply in cases where it is clear that the death was not caused by the injurious effects of an atomic bomb.

(Special Funeral Service Benefit)

Article 33

1. A person who is a bereaved family member of an atomic bomb survivor to whom one of the following items applies (referred to in the following paragraph as ‘deceased’) shall receive a special funeral service benefit.

(1) A person listed in an item of Article 1 who died on or before 31 March 1969;

(2) A person listed in an item of Article 1 who died during the period from 1 April 1969 to 30 September 1974 (excluding those who died in a case where the person conducting the funeral for the deceased received, or was eligible to receive, a funeral service fee under the Law on Special Measures for the Atomic Bomb Survivors (Law No. 53 of 1968; hereinafter referred to as the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law) prior to its abolition under the provisions of Article 3 of the Supplementary Provisions).

2. The scope of the bereaved family set forth in the paragraph (1) of the same Article shall be the spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, grandparents, and siblings of the deceased at the time of death.

3. Authorization to receive the special funeral service benefit shall be granted by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare on the basis of a request by the person who wishes to receive the benefit.

4. The request set forth in the paragraph (3) of this Article shall be made by 30 June 1997, pursuant to the provisions of an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

5. No special funeral service fee shall be paid to a person who has not made the request referred to in paragraph (3) of this Article within the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

(Amount of Special Funeral Service Benefit and Delivery of Registered National Government Bonds)

Article 34

1. The amount of the special funeral service benefit shall be 100,000 yen and shall be granted in the form of registered national government bonds to be redeemed within the period of two years.

2. For the purpose of granting bonds pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Article, the government may issue national government bonds up to the amount required.

3. National government bonds to be issued pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be interest-free.

4. Except as set out by Cabinet Order, the national government bonds issued pursuant to paragraph (2) of this Article are non-transferrable, may not be made the subject of a security interest, and may not be disposed in any other way.

5. In addition to the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, an Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance shall determine the necessary matters concerning national government bonds to be issued pursuant to paragraph (2) of this Article.

(Succession to the Right to Redemption of National Government Bonds)

Article 35

If the bondholder of national government bonds specified in Article 34, paragraph (1) dies, and there are two or more heirs of the same rank, any claim by one of them for redemption of the national government bonds prescribed in Article 34, paragraph (1), or for change of the bondholder of the national government bonds prescribed in the same paragraph that would have been payable prior to the death of the deceased person, shall be deemed to have been made in full for all of them. Any payment of redemption for the national government bonds specified in Article 34, paragraph (1), or change of the bondholder of the national government bonds specified in Article 34, paragraph (1), made to one of them shall be deemed to have been made to all of them.

Article 36: Deleted

Section V: Social Welfare Services

(Consultation Service)

Article 37

Prefectures may provide consultation services for the physical and mental health of atomic bomb survivors, consultation on the daily life of atomic bomb survivors in their homes, and on other services to provide support for atomic bomb survivors.

(In-home Support Services)

Article 38

1. In order to support the daily life of atomic bomb survivors in their homes, prefectures may carry out the following services:

(1) services to provide atomic bomb survivors who, due to their mental or physical disabilities, have difficulty in leading their daily lives with care for bathing, toileting, meals, and other daily needs in their homes;

(2) services to send atomic bomb survivors who have difficulty in leading their daily lives due to their mental or physical disabilities to facilities deemed appropriate by prefectural governors to provide them with bathing, meals, functional training, and other benefits; and

(3) services to admit the atomic bomb survivors who, due to illness or other reasons, have become temporarily unable to receive nursing care at home, to facilities deemed appropriate by prefectural governors for a short period of time and provide them with necessary protective care.

(Protective Care Services)

Article 39

Prefectures may admit atomic bomb survivors who need protective care for mental, physical, or environmental reasons and who have difficulty receiving such care at home, to facilities deemed appropriate by prefectural governors, upon the request of the atomic bomb survivors or the persons who actually care for the atomic bomb survivors, and may carry out services to provide necessary nursing care.

Chapter IV Survey and Research

(Survey and Research)

Article 40

1. The State shall endeavor to promote research and study into the physical effects of atomic bomb radiation and the treatment of diseases caused by it (referred to in the following paragraph as ‘Research on the Effects of Atomic Bomb Radiation’).

2. In order to facilitate the Research on the Effects of Atomic Bomb Radiation, the State may, within the limits of its budget, subsidize part of the expenses required for the Research on the Effects of Atomic Bomb Radiation conducted by a corporation which is either a public interest incorporated association or a public interest incorporated foundation whose main purpose is to promote the Research on the Effects of Atomic Bomb Radiation.

Chapter V Peace Memorial Projects

(Peace Memorial Projects)

Article 41

In order to remember the sacrifice of precious human lives by the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and to pray for a lasting peace, the Government of Japan shall undertake projects to deepen the public’s understanding of the horrors of the atomic bombing, to pass on their experiences to future generations, and to commemorate the victims of the atomic bombing.

Chapter VI Expenses

(Payments of Prefectures)

Article 42

Expenses listed below shall be paid by prefectural governments:

(1) payment of special medical care allowances, special allowances, atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance, health management allowances, health allowances, nursing care allowances, and funeral service fees, as well as required expenses for prefectural governors to manage administrative procedures pursuant to the provisions of this Law or an order issued thereunder;

(2) expenses required for projects carried out by prefectures pursuant to Articles 37 to 39.

(Expenses Borne or Subsidized by the National Government)

Article 43

1. The national government shall, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, reimburse prefectures for the expenses listed in Article 42, item (1), which are paid by prefectures pursuant to the provisions of the same Article (excluding those pertaining to nursing care allowances).

2. The national government shall, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order, bear the following percentages of costs paid by prefectures under item (1) of article 42: 80% of expenses required for nursing care allowances, and 50% of expenses required for administrative procedures associated with nursing care allowances.

3. The national government may, within the limits of the budget, subsidize prefectural governments for part of the expenses listed in Article 42, item (2), which are paid by the prefecture pursuant to the provisions of Article 42.

Chapter VII Miscellaneous provisions

(Prohibition of Transfer and Security)

Article 44

The right to receive benefits under this Law may not be transferred or pledged as security.

(Prohibition of Seizure)

Article 45

The right to receive benefits under this Law and the national government bonds provided for in Article 34, paragraph (1) shall not be seized.

(Tax Exemption)

Article 46

1. Taxes and other charges may not be imposed based on the money and goods provided as a benefit pursuant to this Law.

2. No stamp duty shall be imposed on documents relating to special funeral benefits or on documents relating to the loan of money secured by national government bonds specified in Article 34, paragraph (1).

(Collection of Unjust Enrichment)

Article 47

1. If a person has received benefit under this Law by deception or other wrongful means, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare (or the prefectural governor, if the performance has been provided by a prefectural governor) may collect the whole or part of the value of said benefit from that person in accordance with the rules for the collection of national tax.

2. The order of the lien on the money collected under the paragraph (1) shall be after national and local taxes.

(Free Certification of Family Registers)

Article 48

The mayor of a municipality (in the designated cities set forth in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947), it shall be the director of a ward or the general director of a ward) may certify, free of charge, the family register of a person specified in Article 24, paragraph (1), Article 25, paragraph (1), Article 26, paragraph (1), Article 27, paragraph (1) or Article 28, paragraph (1), or a person who is a bereaved family member specified in Article 33, paragraph (1), as provided in the Ordinance of the municipality concerned.

(Exceptions for the City of Hiroshima and Nagasaki)

Article 49

The term ‘prefectural governor’ or ‘prefecture’ in the provisions of this Law (excluding Article 6, Article 51 and Article 51-2) shall be replaced with ‘mayor’ or ‘city’ in the case of the cities of Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

(Complaints)

Article 50

1. A person who is dissatisfied with the decision on a request for examination by the Mayor of Hiroshima City or Nagasaki City with respect to the disposition regarding the issuance of the Health Handbooks for Atomic Bomb Survivors or the granting of the medical allowance, special allowance, atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance, health management allowances, health allowances, nursing care allowances or funeral service fees, may request the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare to conduct a re-examination.

2. In the event that the mayor of Hiroshima or Nagasaki has delegated the authority for disposition regarding the issuance or granting set out in the preceding paragraph to an official of the subsidiary body or to the head of an administrative agency under the management of the City of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, when a decision on a request for re-examination under Article 255-2, paragraph (2) of the Local Autonomy Act concerning a disposition has been made by the delegated official or the head of the administrative agency based on such delegation of authority, a person who is dissatisfied with the decision may, in accordance with Article 252-17-4, paragraphs (5) to (7) of the same Act, file a request for reconsideration with the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(Administrative Procedures Handled by Prefectures)

Article 51

Some of the administrative procedures under the authority of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare provided in this Law may be performed by prefectural governors, the mayor of Hiroshima, and the mayor of Nagasaki, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order.

(Classification of Administrative Procedures)

Article 51.2

The administrative procedures to be handled by the prefectures as well as the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki pursuant to the provisions of this Law (except for Chapter 3, Section 5, Chapter 6 and Article 48) shall be deemed the Item (i) Statutory Entrusted Affairs prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the Local Autonomy Act.

(Delegation of Authority)

Article 51.3

1. The authority of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare provided for in this Law may be delegated to the Director-General of a Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

2. The authority delegated to the Director-General of a Regional Health and Welfare Bureau pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph may be delegated to the Director of a Regional Health and Welfare Branch Bureau, pursuant to an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(Delegation to the Ministerial Ordinance)

Article 52

Except when delegated to a Cabinet Order under this Law, the procedures for the implementation of this Law and any other necessary detailed regulations on the execution of this Law shall be specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

(Penal Provisions)

Article 53

In the event that a person who has been engaged in the affairs of medical examinations as prescribed in Article 7, the guidance as prescribed in Article 9, or the operation of a business as prescribed in Article 37, has divulged, without justifiable reason, any confidential information of anyone which had come to that person’s knowledge in connection with the person’s duties, the person shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than one year or a fine of not more than three hundred thousand yen.

Article 54

In the event that a person who has provided any of the medical care listed in Article 10, paragraph (2), or an entity who has employed the person has been ordered to submit a report or to present medical records or account books and documents or other materials pursuant to the provisions of Article 17, paragraph (3) (including cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis under Article 21), and has failed to comply with the order without justifiable grounds, or has made a false report, or has failed to answer the questions of the relevant official pursuant to the provisions of Article 17, paragraph (3), or has offered a false answer, that person or that entity shall be punished by a non-criminal fine of not more than one-hundred thousand yen.

Supplementary Provisions Extract

(Date of Enforcement)

Article 1

This Law shall come into force on 1 July 1995 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Effective Date’).

(Date of Issue of Governmental Bonds)

Article 2

The date of issue of national government bonds prescribed in Article 34, paragraph (2), shall be 1 August 1995.

(Repeal of the Law on Medical Care of Atomic Bomb Survivors, etc.)

Article 3

The following Acts shall be repealed:

(1) The Law on Medical Care of the Atomic Bomb Survivors (Law No. 41 of 1957); and

(2) The Law on Special Measures for Atomic Bombs Survivors.

(Transitional Measures Incidental to Repeal of the Law on Medical Care of the Atomic Bomb Survivors)

Article 4

1. An application pertaining to a person who, at the time of the enforcement of this Law, had already applied for a Health Handbook for Atomic Bomb Survivors under paragraph (1) of Article 3 of the Law on Medical Care of the Atomic Bomb Survivors  (hereinafter referred to as the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law) prior to its abolition under the provisions of the preceding Article, shall be deemed an application for a Health Handbook for Atomic Bomb Survivors under Article 2, paragraph (1).

2. The Health Handbooks for Atomic Bomb Survivors issued under the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (2) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law  prior to the enforcement of this Law shall be deemed Health Handbooks for Atomic Bomb Survivors issued under the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (3).

Article 5

1. A person who was a committee member appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 16, paragraph (2) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law at the time of the enforcement of this Law shall be deemed a committee member appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, paragraph (2).

2. The term of office of the committee members set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be reckoned from the date of their appointment pursuant to Article 16, paragraph (2) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law.

Article 6

Provisions in force shall remain applicable with regard to the preparation of records relating to medical examinations conducted pursuant to Article 4 of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law, and with regard to the retention of those records.

Article 7

Provisions in force shall remain applicable with regard to the medical care provided under Article 7, paragraph (1) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law, and which was provided prior to the enforcement of this Law.

Article 8

A medical institution that is, at the time of the enforcement of this Law, a designated medical care provider specified in Article 7, paragraph (3) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law or a atomic bomb survivors general medical institution specified in Article 14-2, paragraph (1) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law shall be deemed a designated medical care provider specified in Article 10, paragraph (3), or a atomic bomb survivors general medical institution specified in Article 18, paragraph (1).

Article 9

A person who, at the time of the enforcement of this Law, had already been certified under Article 8, paragraph (1) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law shall be deemed as having been certified under Article 11, paragraph (1) for the injury or illness related to said certification.

Article 10

With regard to the payment of medical expenses specified in Article 14, paragraph (1) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law or medical expenses for general diseases specified in Article 14-2, paragraph (1) of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law which pertain to medical care provided prior to the enforcement of this Law, the provisions then in force shall remain applicable.

(Transitional Measures Incidental to Repeal of the Law on Special Measures for Atomic Bomb Survivors)

Article 11

1. A person who, at the time of the enforcement of this Law, had already been certified under Article 2, paragraph (2), Article 3, paragraph (2), Article 4-2, paragraph (2), Article 5, paragraph (2), or the proviso to Article 5-2, paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) of the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law (excluding persons who are temporarily suspended from the payment of special medical care allowances, special allowances, atomic bomb microcephaly allowances, health management allowances or health allowances pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 7 of the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law), shall be deemed a person who has been certified under Article 24, paragraph (2), Article 25, paragraph (2), Article 26, paragraph (2), Article 27, paragraph (2), or the proviso to Article 28, paragraph (2) or paragraph (3), respectively.

2. The payment of the special medical care allowance, the special allowance, the atomic bomb microcephaly allowance, the health management allowance or the health allowance under this Law to a person deemed to have been certified under Article 24, paragraph (2), Article 25, paragraph (2), Article 26, paragraph (2), Article 27, paragraph (2) or Article 28, paragraph (2) pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 24, paragraph (4), Article 25, paragraph (4), Article 26, paragraph (4), Article 27, paragraph (5) and Article 28, paragraph (4), begin in July 1995.

3. The payment of health management allowances to a person deemed to have been certified as prescribed in Article 27, paragraph (2), under paragraph (1) of this Article shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 27, paragraph (5), end in the month in which the period specified in paragraph (3) of the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law expires, counting from the date on which that person applied for certification under Article 5, paragraph (2) of the same Law (in the case of a person who ceased to satisfy the requirements set forth in Article 27, paragraph (1) before the date of expiration of the period, it shall be the date on which that person ceased to satisfy them).

Article 12

1. An application pertaining to a person who, at the time of the enforcement of this Law, had already filed an application for recognition under Article 2, paragraph (2), Article 3, paragraph (2), Article 4-2, paragraph (2), Article 4-2, paragraph (2), Article 5, paragraph (2), or the proviso to Article 5-2, paragraph (2) or (3), Article 5-2, paragraph (2) or (3) of the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law, shall be deemed an application for recognition under Article 24, paragraph (2), Article 25, paragraph (2), Article 26, paragraph (2), Article 27, paragraph (2), or the proviso to Article 28, paragraph (2) or (3), respectively.

2. The special medical care allowance, special allowance, atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance, health management allowance, and health care allowance for the months prior to June 1995 for a person who has been certified under Article 24, paragraph (2), Article 25, paragraph (2), Article 26, paragraph (2), Article 27, paragraph (2), or Article 28, paragraph (2), based on an application deemed an application under this Law pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be the special medical care allowance, special allowance, atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance, health management, allowance, and health allowance under the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law.

3. The amount of the health allowance under the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law for the period from the month following the month in which the application was filed until June 1995 for a person who has been certified under the proviso of Article 28, paragraph (3) by virtue of an application deemed to be an application for recognition under the same proviso pursuant to the provision of paragraph (1) of this Article shall be the amount prescribed in the proviso of Article 5-2, paragraph (3) of the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law.

Article 13

With regard to the payment of special medical care allowances, special allowances, atomic-bomb microcephaly allowance, health management allowances, and health allowances under the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law for months prior to June 1995, the provisions in force shall remain applicable, except where paragraph (3) of the preceding Article applies.

Article 14

A notification made under Article 7, paragraph (1) of the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law prior to the enforcement of this Law shall be deemed a notification made under Article 30, paragraph (1).

Article 15

With regard to the payment of care allowances specified in Article 8 of the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law concerning care received prior to the effective date, the provisions in force shall remain applicable.

Article 16

With regard to the payment of funeral service fees specified in Article 9-2 of the former Atomic Bomb Special Measures Law for persons who died before the date of enforcement, the provisions then in force shall remain applicable.

(Special provisions as to Medical Diagnosis)

Article 17

A person who was in a Cabinet Order-designated area adjacent to the area defined in item (1) of Article 1 at the time of the atomic bombing, or a person who was a fetus of that person at the time of the atomic bombing shall, for the time being, be deemed an atomic bombing survivor with regard to the application of the provisions of Article 7.

(Interim Measures against penal provisions)

Article 18

1. With regard to the application of penalties for acts committed before the enforcement of this Law, and for acts committed after the enforcement of this Law when the provisions in force are to be applied under the Supplementary Provisions of this Law, the provisions then in force shall still apply.

2. In the event that a person engaged in the affairs of implementation of medical examinations prescribed in Article 4 of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law and guidance prescribed in Article 6 of the former Atomic Bomb Medical Care Law divulges any confidential information of  anyone which had become that person’s knowledge in connection with that person’s duties after the enforcement of this Law, the provisions of Article 53 shall apply to persons engaged in the administration of the medical examinations prescribed in Article 7 and of the guidance prescribed in Article 9 as if they had divulged the confidential information of anyone which had come to their knowledge in the course of their duties.

(Delegation of Other Transitional Measures to Cabinet Orders)

Article 19

In addition to what is provided for in these Supplementary Provisions, other transitional measures necessary for the enforcement of this Law shall be specified by Cabinet Order.

Supplementary Provisions (Law No. 78 of 18 June 2008) [First Amendment]

(Date of Enforcement)

Article 1

This Law shall enter into force from the date specified by a Cabinet Order within a period not exceeding six months from the day of promulgation.

(Review)

Article 2

1. Soon after the enforcement of this Law, the government shall, in light of the situation of atomic bomb survivors residing in Japan and the state of medical care in their places of residence, consider the payment of medical expenses for overseas atomic bomb survivors (meaning atomic bomb survivors who do not have a place of residence or present location in Japan; the same applies hereinafter), and shall take necessary measures on the basis of the results.

2. The government shall, in light of the circumstances of the enforcement of this Law, consider how to handle applications for certification required by Article 11 of the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Support Law, as revised by this Law, pertaining to overseas atomic bomb survivors, and shall take necessary measures on the basis of the results.

Cabinet Order No. 26 of 1995 Order for Enforcement of the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Support Law

The Cabinet hereby enacts this Cabinet Order pursuant to the provisions of Article 1, items (i) and (ii), Article 2, paragraph (3), Article 5, Article 12, paragraph (1), Article 15, paragraph (3), Article 19, paragraph (1), Article 20, paragraph (1), Article 43, paragraphs (1) and (2), and Article 51, as well as Articles 17 and 19 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Support Law (Law No. 117 of 1994).

(Scope of Atomic Bomb Survivors)

Article 1

1. The areas specified by the Cabinet Order referred to in Article 1, item (1) of the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Support Law (hereinafter referred to as the “Law”) shall be the areas listed in Appended Table 1 at the time the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima City or Nagasaki City.

2. The period specified by a Cabinet Order under Article 1, item (2) of the Law shall be until 20 August 1945 for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima City, and until 23 August 1945 for the atomic bombing of Nagasaki City.

3. The areas specified by a Cabinet Order set forth in Article 1, item (2) of the Law shall be the areas listed in Appended Table 2 at the time the atomic bombs were dropped.

(Application for Issuance of the Health Handbooks for Atomic Bomb Survivors under Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Law)

Article 1.2

1. An application pursuant to the provision of Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Law shall be filed with the consular officer who has jurisdiction over the address of the person making said application (including the head of the embassy or legation who carries out the officer’s duties, or a person acting on behalf of the head of the embassy or legation, or, in the case of an area specified by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare as an area where it is extremely difficult to file an application through a consular officer, the person shall be determined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare; the same applies hereinafter in this Article and Article 8, paragraph (2)), or through the nearest consular officer.

2. When issuing a Health Handbook for Atomic Bomb Survivors in response to an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 2, paragraph (2) of the Law, the issuance shall be made through the consular officer who has jurisdiction over the address of the person who has made said application, or through the nearest consular officer.

Supplementary Provisions (Extract)

(Date of Enforcement)

Article 1

This Cabinet Order shall come into force from 1 July 1995 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Date of Enforcement’).

(Areas Specified by Cabinet Order under Article 17 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Law)

Article 2

The areas specified by the Cabinet Order under Article 17 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Law shall be the areas listed in Appended Table 3 or Appended Table 4 (in the case of the areas listed in that table, it shall be limited to the areas within 12 kilometers from the hypocenter at the time of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima or Nagasaki) at the time of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, according to the categories of medical examinations specified by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for persons prescribed in the same Article.

Supplementary Provisions (Cabinet Order No. 381 of 12 December 2008)

This Cabinet Order shall come into effect from the date of enforcement (15 December 2008) of the Law on Partial Revision of the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Support Law.

Appended Tables 1 to 4 Omitted

Source of original text:

Supplementary Resolution to the Bill for the Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Support Law

(Adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives Committee on Health and Welfare, 1 December 1994)

In light of this Bill’s purpose to take comprehensive measures for the relief of atomic bomb survivors in the areas of health, medical care, and welfare, the Government should endeavor to carry out, in particular, the following measures:

1. Endeavor to enhance the substance of the survey on the circumstances of atomic bomb survivors scheduled for 1995, and strive to comprehensively and accurately determine the damage caused by the atomic bombs and the current situations of atomic bomb survivors;

2. Improve the operation and budget allocation of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, and strive to facilitate relocation measures;

3. Regarding financial measures to aid local governments shoulder the burden of providing atomic bomb survivors with medical care for the elderly, consider how such measures should be implemented in light of the advanced ages of atomic bomb survivors;

4. While taking into consideration the advances in research on the health effects of atomic-bomb radiation, investigate the scientific rigor and rationality of how atomic-bombed areas are designated;

5. Give due consideration to research and studies on, and remedial measures to mitigate, the effects of the atomic bombings on atomic bomb survivors and their children and grandchildren, and continue medical examinations for the second generation while further enhancing the examinations by understanding the second generation’s circumstances;

6. Promote further welfare services for atomic bomb survivors, including consultation services and in-home livelihood support services, while keeping in mind the purpose of the legislation;

7. Establish facilities to memorialize the atomic bomb victims as soon as possible, and strive to make the facilities into a place where persons can empathize with atomic bombs survivors and the bereaved families of the victims;

8. Strive to enhance the research functions of the medical and research institutions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki so that they can make a global contribution to the field of radiotherapy.

Source of original text:

Translated by Toshinori Yamada and Tsubasa Shinohara

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