The Tokyo District Court ruled Thursday that 21 of 30 plaintiffs are suffering from illnesses caused by radiation from the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It overturned prior government decisions not to certify the 21 people as sufferers. The ruling said the state's criteria for issuing certifications have limitations in determining the effects of residual radiation and in other matters.

Criticizing the mechanical application of the criteria and stressing the need to consider specific circumstances of individual atomic-bomb survivors, the ruling pointed out that strictly pursuing the scientific grounds for certification runs counter to the spirit of the Atomic Bomb Victims' Relief Law, aimed at providing help to such victims. Although the government may be thinking of appealing the ruling, it should pay attention to the fact that it has been defeated in five consecutive lawsuits related to the government's certification decisions. Five district courts have criticized the certification criteria. The Tokyo District Court's ruling was preceded by similar district court rulings last year in Osaka and Hiroshima, in January in Nagoya, and on Tuesday in Sendai.

About 260,000 people exposed to radiation from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings have received "hibakusha" health books. In principle, book holders are entitled to free medical checkups and services. But only 2,280 of them have been officially certified as sufferers of illnesses caused by the atomic bombings. Recognized sufferers are eligible for a monthly special medical allowance of about 137,000 yen. While about 200 people request certification every year, only 20 to 30 percent of them receive it. About 230 people in 22 prefectures have filed lawsuits at 17 district courts, seeking to overturn the government decisions.