Commends the government of Japan for extending an official apology to all U.S. former prisoners of war from the Pacific War and establishing a visitation program to Japan for surviving veterans, their families, and descendants.
Appreciates the government of Japan's efforts toward historic apologies for the war crimes of Imperial Japan.
Requests that the government of Japan: (1) continue its Japanese/American POW Friendship Program of reconciliation and remembrance and expand it to educate the public and its school children about the history of prisoners of war in Imperial Japan, and (2) respect the wishes and sensibilities of the U.S. former prisoners of war by requesting successor Japanese firms of private entities that used U.S. prisoner of war labor to emulate their government's sincerity by offering an apology and supporting programs for lasting remembrance and reconciliation.
Acknowledges the work of the Department of State in advocating for the U.S. prisoners of war from the Pacific War.
Applauds the dedication and patriotism of the members and descendants of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor for their pursuit of justice and lasting peace.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 333 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 333
Welcoming and commending the Government of Japan for extending an
official apology to all United States former prisoners of war from the
Pacific War and establishing in 2010 a visitation program to Japan for
surviving veterans, family members, and descendants.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 24, 2011
Mr. Honda (for himself, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr.
Filner, Mr. Israel, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Bilbray, Mr. Hinchey,
Mr. Nadler, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Young of Florida, Mr. Moran, Mr. Platts,
and Mrs. Davis of California) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Welcoming and commending the Government of Japan for extending an
official apology to all United States former prisoners of war from the
Pacific War and establishing in 2010 a visitation program to Japan for
surviving veterans, family members, and descendants.
Whereas the United States and Japan have enjoyed a productive and successful
peace for over six decades, which has nurtured a strong and critical
alliance and deep economic ties that are vitally important to both
countries, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world;
Whereas the United States-Japan alliance is based on shared interests,
responsibilities, and values and the common support for political and
economic freedoms, human rights, and international law;
Whereas the United States-Japan alliance has been maintained by the
contributions and sacrifices of members of the United States Armed
Forces dedicated to Japan's defense and democracy;
Whereas from December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945, the Pacific War caused
profound damage and suffering to combatants and noncombatants alike;
Whereas among those who suffered and sacrificed greatly were the men and women
of the United States Armed Forces who were captured by Imperial Japanese
forces during the Pacific War;
Whereas many United States prisoners of war were subject to brutal and inhumane
conditions and forced labor;
Whereas according to the Congressional Research Service, an estimated 27,000
United States prisoners of war were held by Imperial Japanese forces and
nearly 40 percent perished;
Whereas the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and its subsequent
Descendants Group have worked tirelessly to represent the thousands of
United States veterans who were held by Imperial Japanese forces as
prisoners of war during the Pacific War;
Whereas on May 30, 2009, an official apology from the Government of Japan was
delivered by Japan's Ambassador to the United States Ichiro Fujisaki to
the last convention of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor
stating, ``Today, I would like to convey to you the position of the
government of Japan on this issue. As former Prime Ministers of Japan
have repeatedly stated, the Japanese people should bear in mind that we
must look into the past and to learn from the lessons of history. We
extend a heartfelt apology for our country having caused tremendous
damage and suffering to many people, including prisoners of wars, those
who have undergone tragic experiences in the Bataan Peninsula,
Corregidor Island, in the Philippines, and other places'';
Whereas in 2010, the Government of Japan through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs
has established a new program of remembrance and understanding that, for
the first time, includes United States former prisoners of war and their
family members or other caregivers by inviting them to Japan for
exchange and friendship;
Whereas six American former prisoners of war, each of whom was accompanied by a
family member, and two descendants of prisoners of war participated in
Japan's first Japanese/American POW Friendship Program from September
12, 2010, to September 19, 2010;
Whereas Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada on September 13, 2010, apologized
to all United States former prisoners of war on behalf of the Government
of Japan stating, ``You have all been through hardships during World War
II, being taken prisoner by the Japanese military, and suffered
extremely inhumane treatment. On behalf of the Japanese government and
as the foreign minister, I would like to offer you my heartfelt
apology'';
Whereas Foreign Minister Okada stated that he expects the former prisoners of
war exchanges with the Japanese people will ``become a turning point in
burying their bitter feelings about the past and establishing a better
relationship between Japan and the United States'';
Whereas Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama on September
13, 2010, apologized to United States former prisoners of war for the
``immeasurable damage and suffering'' they experienced;
Whereas the participants of the first Japanese/American POW Friendship Program
appreciated the generosity and hospitality they received from the
Japanese Government and people during the Program and welcomed the
apology offered by Foreign Minister Okada and Deputy Chief Cabinet
Secretary Fukuyama;
Whereas the participants encourage the Government of Japan to continue this
program of visitation and friendship and expand it to support projects
for remembrance, documentation, and education; and
Whereas the United States former prisoners of war of Japan still await apologies
and remembrance from the successor firms of those Japanese private
entities that, in violation of the Third Geneva Convention and in
unmerciful conditions, used their labor for economic gain to sustain war
production: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) welcomes and commends the Government of Japan for
extending an official apology to all United States former
prisoners of war from the Pacific War and establishing in 2010
a visitation program to Japan for surviving veterans, their
families, and descendants;
(2) appreciates the recent efforts by the Government of
Japan toward historic apologies for the war crimes of Imperial
Japan;
(3) requests that the Government of Japan continue its new
Japanese/American POW Friendship Program of reconciliation and
remembrance and expand it to educate the public and its school
children about the history of prisoners of war in Imperial
Japan;
(4) requests that the Government of Japan respect the
wishes and sensibilities of the United States former prisoners
of war by requesting those successor Japanese firms of private
entities that used United States prisoner of war labor to
emulate their government's sincerity by offering an apology and
supporting programs for lasting remembrance and reconciliation
that recognizes their sacrifices and forced labor;
(5) acknowledges the work of the United States Department
of State in advocating for the United States prisoners of war
from the Pacific War; and
(6) applauds the persistence, dedication, and patriotism of
the members and descendants of the American Defenders of Bataan
and Corregidor for their pursuit of justice and lasting peace.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
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