By the way, the fact that those concerned have aged as sixty years has passed after the war ended, the momentum began to be generated by the efforts made by different groups. At the same time, the special foundation for projects praying for peace, independent administrative corporation was pointed out to be considered for the completion from the viewpoint of administrative reforms. As a result, negotiations among the group concerned, Diet members’ caucus, Liberal Democratic Party, and the government were repeated several times. As a result, on December 19th, 2003, the three highest ranking members of the Liberal Democratic Party made a decision, “In regards to the solution of the concerns of those formerly interned in the old Soviet Union, disqualified for the pension and repatriated,” and proceeded it to get the confirmation by the related Ministers. The content is as follows:
In regards to the solution of the concerns for those formerly interned in the old Soviet Union, disqualified for the pension and repatriated:
For the above projects pertaining to the matters of post war treatment, strong requests have been made for the thorough solution for a long time, as they went through various changes over the years. Now that we are in a new century and those who went through such experiences have reached the high average age of eighty two, our party is no longer allowed to keep postponing the solution of these discussions. Therefore, our party made a final decision for these unsolved problems in order to bring settlements. The content is as follows. Therefore, the government strongly appeal the necessary measures to implement actions along with our decisions, including the change of law in 2004.
- Measures in regards to those interned in old Soviet Union
1) For each survivors of those interned in the old Soviet Union, 200,000 yen is granted during the coming fice years between 2004 and 2009.
2) A central monument will be built to comfort the spirits of the dead
3) Disburse funds for ceremonies of comforting spirits and gatherings of handing down the experiences.
- Measures in regards to those disqualified for pension
For the survivors who were the recipients of letters and gifts as the projects of comforting those who experienced hardships from the special foundation for projects praying for peace, independent administrative corporation, 100,000 yen will be granted between 2004 and 2009.
- Measures in regards to those who repatriated
1) For the survivors who were the recipients of letters and gifts as the projects of comforting those who experienced hardships from the special foundation for projects praying for peace, independent administrative corporation, silver cups will be granted between 2004 and 2009. 100,000 yen will be provided between 2004 and 2009.
2) “Monument to comfort those who deceased” will be constructed as a symbol for those who were repatriated.
4. Demolishing of the fund and dissolving
The above measures from 1 to 3 will be practiced, by gradually demolishing the total fund of 40,000,000,000 yen, which has been the base for the fund. When all of the measureas are taken, the fund will dissolve as of the end of 2009. The remainder is to be returned to the national treasury.
December 19th, 2003
Shintaro Abe Chief Cabinet Secretary of Liberal Democratic Party
Mitsuo Horiuchi Chairman of Executive Council of Liberal Democratic Party
Fukushiro Nukaga Deputy of Chairman of Government Affairs of
Liberal Democratic Party
Yutaka Takeyama Head of members of the House of Councillors of
Liberal Democratic Party
Mikio Aoki Chief Cabinet Secretary of House of Councillors of
Liberal Democratic Party
In regards to the solution of the concerns for those formerly interned in the old Soviet Union, disqualified for the pension and repatriated:
These so-called solution for postwar problems are confirmed to have reached solution after concerns that lasted for a long time by the principles requested to the government by five highest ranking members of the Liberal Democratic Party, Chief Cabinet Secretary, Chairman of Executive Council, Deputy of Chairman of Government Affairs, Head of members of the House of Councillors and Chief Cabinet Secretary of House of Councillors.
December 22, 2003
Taro Aso Minister of Executive Council
Teiichi Tanigaki Minister of Finance
Fukushiro Nukaga Chairman of Government Affairs of Liberal Democratic Party
Kazuo Kitagawa Chairman of Government Affairs of New Clean Government
After all, this solution was not executed and carried over to the following year. Then it was pointed out that it is difficult to demolish all of the fund of 40,000,000,000 yen as source of funds. As a result, half of the amount of money was decided to be used to respond to the requests of three groups. The following understanding between the government and the related members of Liberal Democratic Party was established on August 4th, 2005.
Memorandum
- This is a critical year of sixty years after the war ended, and at the same time, those who are involved in the three problems of afterwar treatment are aging too. Therefore, we will launch on a special commemoration project because it is important that we come to a conclusion.
- The funding of the special commemoration project is 20,000,000,000 yen coming from the capital of the special foundation for projects praying for peace, independent administrative corporation. (The standard of the actual projects will be shown on a different sheet.)
- The project of sending letters and so forth that has been taken care of by the special foundation will be completed by the time the special commemoration project starts.
- After the completion of the special commemoration project, materials will be recorded and preserved. The method will be discussed later. In regards to the afterwar internment of forced labor, the comforting of the spirits of the dead will be continued.
5. 6. Omitted
7. After the special commemoration project is over, of the special foundation for projects praying for peace, independent administrative corporation will be abolished.
8. The law to support action 1 through 7 will be turned in to the ordinary session of the Diet.
9. With all of the above measures, all of the problems of the post war matter were addressed and completed.
August 4th, 2005
Tsutomu Takebe Chief Cabinet Secretary
Yukio Kyuuma Chairman of Executive Council
Kaoru Yosasno Chairman of Government Affairs
Mikio Aoki Head of members of the House of Councillors
Toranosuke Katayama Chief Secretary of the House of Councillors of Liberal Democratic Party
Tetsuzo Fuyushiba Chief Secretary of the House of Councillors of New Clean Government Party
Yoshihisa Inoue Chairman of Government Affairs of New Clean Government Party
Shozo Kussakawa Head of members of the House of Councillors of New Clean Government Party
Hiroyuki Hosoda Chief Secretary of Cabinet
Taro Aso Minister of General Affairs
Sadakazu Tanigaki Minister of Financial Affairs.
For us, Japan Association of Forced Internees, this memorandum was not satisfactory at all, but we decided to accept it because of the necessity of time considering the advancing age of the people involved.
We decided to construct the central memorial monument inside the Chidorigafuchi cemetery where tomb stones of the deceased are. In regards to the facilities where the materials of internment are stored an shown, it is still under consideration. We intend to decide as soon as possible.