Nagasaki A-bomb survivors' suit seeking official recognition rejected

Survivors of the Nagasaki atomic bomb in 1945 who were close to ground zero, but outside the government's officially designated zone, on Monday lost their battle with Japan's top court for official recognition as victims, AFP reported.

The suit was filed by 387 people who were within 12 kilometers of ground zero when the attack happened in August 1945, but out side the affected zone recognized by the government, and the presiding judge at the Supreme Court rejected the suit, as reported by public broadcaster NHK and a court spokesman.

Those within 12 kilometres of ground zero but outside the designated zone are entitled to free treatment only for mental illness associated with the bombing and complications caused by mental illness. There are a total of 6,278 people in this category, according to a Nagasaki prefectural official, but they have to live in Nagasaki to be able to receive free medical treatment. On the other hand, officially recognized 'survivors' can receive free treatment for almost all kinds of diseases no matter whey they live.

The Japanese government defines the officially recognised affected area as an oval shape seven kilometres wide and 12 kilometres long.