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“WELCOMING AND COMMENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S7782-S7783 on Nov. 17, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WELCOMING AND COMMENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN
Mr. LEVIN. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 333 which was submitted earlier today by Senator Feinstein.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The bill clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. 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.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. President, I rise today in support of this resolution honoring former World War II U.S. POWs from the Pacific theater and acknowledging the steps the Japanese Government has made to heal the wounds of the past.
My friend and colleague from California, Representative Mike Honda, introduced this resolution in the House and I am proud to follow suit here in the Senate. I applaud his leadership on this important matter.
Our resolution welcomes and commends the Government of Japan for extending an official apology to all U.S. former prisoners of war from the Pacific War and establishing in 2010 a visitation program to Japan for surviving veterans, their families, and descendants.
The resolution appreciates the recent efforts by the Government of Japan toward historic apologies for the war crimes of Imperial Japan.
The resolution requests that the Government of Japan continue its new Japanese/American POW Friendship Program of reconciliation and remembrance.
It 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.
It acknowledges the work of the Department of State in advocating for the United States Prisoners of War from the Pacific war, and it applauds the persistence, dedication, and patriotism of the members and descendants of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor.
According to the Congressional Research Service, approximately 27,000 U.S. prisoners of war were held by Imperial Japanese forces during World War II.
They were often subject to brutal and inhumane treatment.
They were starved and denied adequate medical care and were forced to perform slave labor for private Japanese companies.
American POWs toiled in mines, factories, shipyards, and steel mills for hours every day under extremely dangerous conditions. Many suffered health problems long after their time as POWs had ended.
Some 40 percent of POWs perished and never returned home to their loved ones.
We owe these brave heroes a debt that can never be fully repaid. It is critical that we never forget their sacrifice.
A lot has changed since the end of the war.
Japan has emerged from the ashes of war to develop into one of our closest friends and allies and a responsible member of the international community.
Our relationship is sustained by shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
The American POWs--those that survived--returned home and tried to move on with their lives.
They completed their education, got married, started families, began new careers and participated in all aspects of civic life.
But one thing was missing: recognition from the Japanese Government about how they were treated as POWs.
In the simplest terms, they wanted an apology.
In order for Japan to fully rejoin the international community, it had to acknowledge its treatment of POWs during the ware.
And groups like the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and its Descendants Group worked tirelessly for this recognition.
And I am pleased to say that Japan has taken historic actions in this area.
On May 30, 2009, Japan's Ambassador to the United States, Ichiro Fujisaki, told the last convention of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor:
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.
On September 13, 2010, in a message to all U.S. former POWs, Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said:
You have all been through hardships during World War II, begin 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.
The Government of Japan has also created a new program for former U.S. POWs and their family members to come to Japan for remembrance and reconciliation.
I commend the Government of Japan for taking these actions. Our former POWs waited long enough.
There are fewer than 500 surviving POWs still alive today.
Let us take a moment today, while we still can, to honor them and pay tribute to their service to their country during difficult and trying times.
Let us also acknowledge the steps Japan has taken to come to terms with its past and strengthen the friendship between our two peoples.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 333) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
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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