Law to provide benefits to former internees in Siberia enacted

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Law to provide benefits to former internees in Siberia enacted

The Diet on June 16 enacted a law to provide special benefits to former Japanese internees detained in Siberia, Mongolia, and other regions by the former Soviet Union after World War II.

Following the passage in the House of Councilors, the law, which was submitted by nonpartisan Dietmembers, was approved in the House of Representatives.

Under the legislation, the former detainees will receive a one-time allowance ranging from 250,000 yen to 1.5 million yen based on their length of captivity. In addition, the national government is obliged to start an investigation to determine the captives' actual conditions at the time and launch a project to relate the experience of their sufferings to future generations.

In the House of Representatives Internal Affairs and Communications Committee meeting, JCP representative Shiokawa Tetsuya praised the law, saying it has significant social relevance and called for its swift implementation, including the payment of benefits without delay. He also called on the government to draw up a basic plan on the investigation taking into account former internees' statements and provide a framework for the plan as soon as possible, considering the advanced ages of the former detainees.

-Akahata June 17, 2010