Japan court recognizes more victims of Hiroshima atomic bombing

A Japanese court is recognizing more "black rain" victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima following a legal battle that has dragged on for years.


The Hiroshima District Court ruled Wednesday 84 victims of radioactive "black rain" did get sick as a result of the atomic bombing on Aug. 6, 1945, though they were in areas outside the state's officially designated limits, Kyodo News and Jiji Press reported Thursday.

"It is possible black rain fell outside the designated zone and reasonable to conclude that they were affected by radiation if they were exposed," said Judge Yoshiyuki Takashima.

Victims of the atomic bombing may have developed cancer and cataracts after being exposed to radioactive material. They may have also been exposed to radiation after consuming contaminated food and water, according to Kyodo.