Caught in the vicious cycle of A-bomb disorders and poverty, many hibakusha could not rebuild the foundations of their collapsed lives on their own strength. They needed national assistance transcending the framework of the social security system.

As awareness of their plight grew, pressure for national compensation resulted in the enactment of the Law for Relief of the War Wounded and for Survivors in 1952 to provide for assistance measures for soldiers, civilian army employees, quasi-army employees, etc. who were injured by the atomic bombings or their families if they were injured. The law did not, however, apply to A-bombed civilians.

The A-bomb Survivors Medical Care Law was enacted in 1957, and the A-bomb Survivors Special Measures Law in 1968. These two atomic-bomb related laws outline measures for health management, medical care, and welfare of the hibakusha.

The view that assistance for the hibakusha must be based on the spirit of national compensation gradually took root. Starting in 1959, bills calling for hibakusha assistance were repeatedly presented to the Diet, sparking intense debate. This led to the passage of the Atomic Bomb Survivors' Support Law in December 1994 and its enforcement in July 1995 (the 50th anniversary of the bombings). The law's preamble states that comprehensive assistance for the health, medical care, and welfare of hibakusha is the responsibility of the national government and expresses the hope for a lasting peace that would preclude the possibility of a recurrence. It was much more progressive than the atomic-bomb related laws enacted previously.

Nevertheless, because of the singular nature of atomic bombs, the hibakusha and the bereaved families suffered social, medical, and mental aftereffects over many years. Moreover, as the hibakusha continue to age, more are living alone, bedridden, or otherwise in need of nursing care. The need is growing not only for measures to help living hibakusha, but for the development of projects to mourn and honor the dead. The national government must take responsibility for developing assistance measures better adapted to the situations of hibakusha and bereaved families.