The Kumamoto District Court on July 30 repealed most of a government decision not to recognize 21 people in Kumamoto Prefecture as radiation casualties of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Recognizing 19 of the 21 plaintiffs as suffering radiation-related ailments, presiding Judge Hiroshi Ishii said the government should comprehensively examine the application to be recognized as a victim by considering an applicant's exposure to the bombings and the person's life since then.

The court expanded the scope of diseases covered to include diabetes and motor dysfunction, including osteoarthritis, but dismissed the plaintiffs' demands for ¥3 million each in compensation.