III. The After Effects of the Atomic Bombing

The physical injury and illness caused by intense exposure to radioactivity are called Atomic Bomb sequela. There are a variety of theories about this, but the exact cause of the physical damages has not yet been established. The parts of the body most easily affected by radioactivity are the blood-producing internal organs and genitals followed by the lungs, stomach, intestine, liver, and kidneys.

The symptoms appeared just after the Atomic Bomb was dropped 35 years ago, and have continued unchanged up to the present.

The people injured by the Atomic Bomb are called "Hibakusha" in Japanese. Recently the word "Hibakusha" has been inserted in English dictionaries.

Hibakusha are still suffering from numerous illnesses caused by the Atomic Bomb. Another problem is the influence of the Atomic Bomb on the second generation of Hibakusha. This problem has not been sufficiently clarified medically. There are approximately 83,000 people with A-Bomb Identification Cards in Nagasaki City.

There are two laws for Hibakusha. One effective as to April 1, 1957, provides free medical treatment. Another is "The law in connection with a special measure." (Effective beginning 1978) These two laws alone are not enough to protect them.

Hibakusha are anxious about their Atomic Bomb aftereffects, and are trying to establish "The law which protects the Atomic Bomb Hibakusha." As victims of the government war policy, they are also insisting on compensation by appealing to the government to provide relief for themselves and their families.

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