Measures have been adopted to ensure the smooth handling of the
first compensation case for Chinese laborers imprisoned in
Japanese-run labor camps during World War II, sources with the
China Red Cross Society (
CRCS)
said in Beijing Thursday.
On
June 30, 1945, more than 700 Chinese laborers imprisoned in the
Japanese-run labor camps in China staged an uprising that was
eventually suppressed by Japanese troops. More than 130 laborers
were killed in what is now called the "Hanaoka Incident."
In
2000, following a long process of negotiations and judicial
proceedings, the Chinese laborers and the Japanese side reached an
agreement requiring the Japanese side to pay 500 million Japanese
yen (about US$4 million) to the laborers, and entrust the CRCS to
establish the Hanaoka Foundation for Peace and Friendship
(HFPF).
According to the HFPF, the Hanaoka lawsuit filed by the Chinese
labor camp victims is the only one which resulted in a written
apology and substantive compensation from the Japanese side. The
HFPF is also the first fund established for wartime compensation
and memorial services in Asia.
An
official with the CRCS said the outbreak of SARS had generated
unexpected difficulties with regard to the payment of the
compensation, which involves locating the laborers or the family
members of deceased laborers. An on-site payment ceremony has been
canceled to ensure the health of the war victims.
The CRCS said that the timely payment of compensation to the war
victims is key to protecting their dignity and educating the young
generation. Since most of the camp inmates are now in their
eighties, the CRCS and the HFPF had to take measures to ensure the
distribution. The compensation is now paid through banks and post
offices, and the search for and confirmation of laborers
continues.
The foundation has also set up an e-mail address,
huagangzixun2003@yahoo.com.cn, to handle queries from the media and
from residents.
The foundation says a special fund will also be established to aid
the offsprings of the laborers.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2003)