Japan will not appeal ruling in Hansen’s disease family discrimination lawsuit, however declines commenting on compensation for those affected in pre-reversion Okinawa

Japan will not appeal ruling in Hansen’s disease family discrimination lawsuit, however declines commenting on compensation for those affected in pre-reversion Okinawa

Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Takumi Nemoto speaking at a press conference – July 9 at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare


July 9, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

Toyko – The Japanese government decided July 9 not to appeal a ruling by the Kumamoto District Court that recognized that as part of the government’s quarantine policy for those afflicted with Hansen’s disease, not only the afflicted but also the families suffered discrimination.

Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Takumi Nemoto said at a press conference the same morning, “[Prime Minister Shinzo Abe] has indicated that we cannot prolong the suffering of these families who have painstakingly relived their stories to the point of exhaustion.

We have received instruction to explore withdrawing the appeal.”

Nemoto also commented, “There are details within the ruling that are hard to accept,” and stressed that there was an extraordinary handling of the case.

Meanwhile, the decision did not find Japan at fault regarding their isolation policy enacted in Okinawa prior to its reversion to Japan.

When asked about compensation for those who were affected in pre-reversion Okinawa, Minister Nemoto only said, “I would like to refrain from commenting.”

(English translation by T&CT and Sam Grieb)

Go To Japanese


　


Previous Article:
Next Article:

[Similar Articles]