The Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima. Thousands died from the effects of radioactive rain after the atomic blastA group of elderly people in Hiroshima who were exposed to radioactive rain caused by the dropping of the atomic bomb are entitled to state benefits, a Japanese court has ruled, three quarters of a century after their ordeal. The 84 plaintiffs, aged 76 to 97, were not directly hurt by the bomb that was dropped on the city in August 1945 but were exposed to the “black rain” that fell on outlying regions hours later. SponsoredUntil now only those exposed to the rain within a narrowly defined area were entitled to the benefits enjoyed by hibakusha, or officially registered atomic bomb victims. Today’s ruling confirms that delivered by a lower court last year, which gives the same status to those outside the strictly

Source: The Times July 15, 2021 11:03 UTC