DPJ Forms a Committee on POWs

DPJ Announces New Party Subcommittee for Postwar Settlement
Issues Involving Allied POWs

On May 20, as part of its project team for postwar settlements, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) launched a new subcommittee for addressing Allied POW issues stemming from World War II. It is the first time that a political party in Japan has dealt with POW issues, even though the war ended 64 years ago.

Raymond Heimbuch, an 89-year-old American former POW, was invited to the Diet for the subcommittee’s first study session on May 20. Mr. Heimbuch described how he became a prisoner in the Philippines and was made to work at a factory in wartime Japan.

The subcommittee plans to investigate POW matters and visit related locations in Japan, including the Aso Mining site. To the extent possible, the subcommittee also intends to invite former POWs and their families to relate their wartime experiences and thoughts.

As part of the new administration that will result from the imminent general election, we believe that the task of confronting “inconvenient truths” from the past such as POW issues is something that cannot be avoided if Japan is to realize true peace and friendship and assume an honorable position within the international community.

Although such action is long overdue and many of those concerned have already passed away, the United Nations has declared 2009 to be the “International Year of Reconciliation.” This year also marks the 80^th and 60^th anniversaries of the Geneva Conventions of 1929 and 1949. Therefore, we believe there is great political and historical meaning in addressing the POW problem at such an opportune time.

We earnestly desire to receive much information and to hear frank opinions, and for this to be reflected in policy making. We especially request the active cooperation of former POWs and family members from various countries, researchers and journalists with relevant information, and concerned organizations.

Goals of DPJ Postwar Settlements Subcommittee on POW Issues

The prisoner of war (POW) issue is one of the major pillars of Japan’s postwar diplomacy. Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration, which stipulated the handling of POW matters, and also signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which required Japan to become a party to the Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.

The POW issue represented the official pledge of postwar Japan’s reentry into the international community, but sufficient reconciliation with elderly former POWs in other countries has not yet been achieved. The POW problem remains like a thorn caught in the throat.

This Subcommittee on POW Issues has been established in order to clarify the realities of wartime work and forced labor involving prisoners of war, and to formulate trust-building policies such as exchange and reconciliation programs for former POWs.

Chair: Naoki Minezaki (Member of the House of Councillors)
Deputy Chairs: Issei Koga (Member of the House of Representatives),Tomiko Okazaki (Member of the House of Councillors
Secretary General: Yukihisa Fujita (Member of the House of Councillors)
Executive Secretary: Kusuo Oshima (Member of the House of Councillors)

Contact details:
Office of Yukihisa Fujita
Member of the House of Councillors
Room 205, House of Councillors Office Building
2-1-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8962
Tel:03-3508-8205
Fax: 03-5512-2205
yukihisa_fujita0 [AT] sangiin.go.jp

Office of Kusuo Oshima
Member of the House of Councillors
Room 320, House of Councillors
2-1-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8962
Tel:03-3508-8320
Fax: 03-5512-2320
kusuo_ooshima01 [AT] sangiin.go.jp