[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 176 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S7712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mr. INHOFE) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 333

       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 United States 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 people of Japan 
     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 Japan's 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 Government and people of Japan 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 private entities in Japan 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 Senate--
       (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 maltreatment of 
     United States former prisoners of war;
       (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 supporting and encouraging programs for 
     lasting remembrance and reconciliation that recognize their 
     sacrifices, history, and forced labor;
       (5) acknowledges the work of the 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.

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