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 Af-
fairs 
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 for-
ward in planning to invite surviving members to Japan. 
Whereas the United States and Japan have enjoyed a produc-
tive and successful peace for 65 years, which has nur-
tured a strong and critical alliance that is vitally impor-
tant 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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and economic freedoms, human rights, and international 
law; 
Whereas the United States-Japan alliance has been main-
tained by the contributions and sacrifices of members of 
the United States Armed Forces dedicated to Japan’s de-
fense 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 tire-
lessly to represent the thousands of United States vet-
erans who were held by Imperial Japanese forces as pris-
oners of war during the Pacific War; 
Whereas, on May 30, 2009, an official apology from the Gov-
ernment of Japan was delivered by Japan’s Ambassador 
to the United States Ichiro Fujisaki to the last conven-
tion of the American Defenders of Bataan and Cor-
regidor 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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the Japanese people should bear in mind that we must 
look into the past and to learn from the lessons of his-
tory. We extend a heartfelt apology for our country hav-
ing caused tremendous damage and suffering to many 
people, including prisoners of wars, those who have un-
dergone tragic experiences in the Bataan Peninsula, Cor-
regidor Island, in the Philippines, and other places’’; and 
Whereas in 2010, the Government of Japan through its Min-
istry 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(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 moving forward in planning to invite surviving 
members to Japan; 
(2) requests that the Government of Japan not 
hesitate in promulgating widely their historic apol-
ogy and their new program of reconciliation and re-
membrance and educate the public about these ef-
forts; 
(3) expresses appreciation that the Government 
of Japan is moving swiftly in establishing their pro-
gram of invitation and is seeking ways to expand the 
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program’s budget so that more United States former 
prisoners of war, their spouses, and descendants can 
be included and that documentation of their experi-
ence can be conducted; 
(4) requests that the Government of Japan re-
spect the wishes and sensibilities of the United 
States prisoners of war by providing an appropriate 
program for lasting remembrance and reconciliation 
that recognizes their sacrifices and forced labor; 
(5) acknowledges the work of the United States 
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. 
Æ 
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