IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1567 

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 moving forward in planning to invite surviving members 

to Japan. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 28, 2010 

Mr. HONDA (for himself, Mr. FILNER, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Ms. KILPATRICK

of Michigan, Mr. COHEN, Mr. ISRAEL, and Mr. TEAGUE) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

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 moving forward in planning to invite surviving members to Japan. 

Whereas the United States and Japan have enjoyed a productive and successful peace for 65 years, which has nurtured a strong and critical alliance that is vitally important to both countries, the Asia-Pacific region, and the 

world; 

Whereas the United States-Japan alliance is based on shared 

interests and values and the common support for political 


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•HRES 1567 IH 

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, 


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•HRES 1567 IH 

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’’; and 

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: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) welcomes and commends the Government of 

3 Japan for extending an official apology to all United 

4 States former prisoners of war from the Pacific War 

5 and moving forward in planning to invite surviving 

6 members to Japan; 

7 (2) requests that the Government of Japan not 

8 hesitate in promulgating widely their historic apol9 ogy and their new program of reconciliation and re10 membrance and educate the public about these ef11 forts; 

12 (3) expresses appreciation that the Government 

13 of Japan is moving swiftly in establishing their pro14 gram of invitation and is seeking ways to expand the 


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•HRES 1567 IH 

1 program’s budget so that more United States former 

2 prisoners of war, their spouses, and descendants can 

3 be included and that documentation of their experi4 ence can be conducted; 

5 (4) requests that the Government of Japan re6 spect the wishes and sensibilities of the United 

7 States prisoners of war by providing an appropriate 

8 program for lasting remembrance and reconciliation 

9 that recognizes their sacrifices and forced labor; 

10 (5) acknowledges the work of the United States 

11 Department of State in advocating for the United 

12 States prisoners of war from the Pacific War; and 

13 (6) applauds the persistence, dedication, and 

14 patriotism of the members and descendants of the 

15 American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor for 

16 their pursuit of justice and lasting peace. 

Æ 


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