International Citizens' Forum on War Crimes and Redress
---- Seeking Reconciliation and Peace for the 21st Century
----
Tokyo, Dec.10th-12th 1999
View this in MS Word Detailed
Program with Speeches & Bio Press Release
In the 20th century we have seen many atrocious war crimes, such as the Holocaust, the Massacre of Nanjing, the forced labours, "the comfort women", chemical and germ warfare and the tragedy of Okinawa. Also the horrors of A-bomb still haunts the world. Have the citizens of each country evaluated and overcome this "Era of War"?
Germany, one of the assailants in WWII, has faced its chapter of painful history with the motto "overcome the past". Even today, 54 years after the war, it makes continuous efforts in making reparation for the victims, including those of forced labor by the Nazi's government and German corporations. In contrast, there has been little effort to overcome the past "Era of War" in postwar Japan. Moreover, colonization has been justified and the war of aggression has been rationalized. These have adverse influence on education and policy in Japan. Now, it begins to appear as clear signs that Japan is moving towards "Era of War" again, which brings great concerns both inside and outside Japan.
Though the perpetrators' memories could fade away, the victims will never forget the damage. At the beginning of the 1990's, the victims, mostly among Asian countries, started to stand up to demand an apology and compensation from Japan. After having lived with unhealed suffering for more than half a century, the victims finally try to restore their human dignity. Today several trials and investigations regarding reparations have been conducted in Japan. By now, more than 50 law-suits have been filed. Japan has tried evade "the past" and has not seriously dealt with the fact presented by victims for more than half a century. However, the fact is too revealing to be concealed now. Internationally, the United Nations Human Right Commission, the Committee of Experts of the International Labor Organization, and the California State government, have urged the Japanese government and corporations to apologize and compensate without delay. In Japan, district and high courts have begun to rule on the cases handing down directions that reparation should be achieved by legislative or administrative measures. Legislative procedures that will lead to disclosure of the truth have also gradually taken shape in Japan.
However, half a century is not a short time and time is running out for the victims. While these judgements and recommendations are being made, the victims are dying one after another because of advanced age. The world's attention needs to be focused now on Japan.
In this context, an International Forum will be held in Tokyo this December, in cooperation with citizen organizations in the world. For peace and co-existence in the 21st century, Japan should face up with the "Era of War" and pursue reconciliation through the process of reparation.
We invite everyone who supports our aim to participate and make the Forum a
great success.
| Date: | 10th-12th December, 1999 |
| Venues: | Tokyo Women's Plaza & Shakai Bunka-kaikan, Tokyo |
| Theme: | Discussion on Japanese Atrocities in WWII and Redress |
| Speakers: | To be confirmed |
| Atty. Tsuchiya Koken | (Chairperson of Organizing Committee, Former President of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations) |
| Ms. Liu Cai-pin | (Member of Association for No More Nanking!, Former Prof. of Purple Mt. Observatory in Nanking ) |
| Prof. Suzuki Jiro | (Hon.Pr.of of Tokyo Metropolitan Univ., Representative of the Investigation Team on the Truth about Forced Korean Laborers in Japan) |
| Prof. Arai Shin-ichi | (Prof. of Surugaidai Univ., Representative of Center for Research & Documentation on Japan's War Responsibility) |
| Prof. Ishida Takeshi | (Hon.Prof. of Tokyo Univ.) |
| Prof. Sakamoto Yoshikazu | (Hon.Prof. of Tokyo Univ.) |
| Prof. Fujiwara Akira | (Hon.Prof. of Hitotsubashi Univ.) |
| Dr. Ogawa Takemitsu | (M.D.,Representative of All-Japan Association of Bereaved Families for Peace) |
| Rev. Lee Inha | (Co-representative of Association seeking for Post-war Compensation for the Korean Residents in Japan) |
| Mr.Oshima Koichi | (Co-representative of Citizens' Fund for Redress) |
| Dr.Yamaguchi Ken-ichiro | (M.D.,Representative of Association Concerned about the Modern Medical Science) |
| Prof. Hayashi Kozo | (Hon.Prof. of Kyoto Univ., Member of Peace Osaka) |
| Prof. Matsumura Takao | (Prof. of Keio Univ.) |
| Prof. Tanaka Hiroshi | (Prof. of Hitotsubashi Univ.) |
| Prof. Yoshida Yoshihisa | (Prof. of Sagami Women's Univ.) |
| Prof. Shiba Junji | (Prof. of Meiji Gakuin Univ.) |
| Prof. Matsui Eisuku | (Prof. of Gifu Univ.) |
| Ms. Kawata Fumiko | (Writer) |
| Dr. Yin Yan-Jun | (Invited scholar to Hitotsubashi Univ.) |
| Ms. Wang Xuan | (Chairperson of the Plaintiffs demanding state compensation to the victims of chemical and germ warfare by 731 Unit) |
| Atty. Niimi Takashi | (President of the Panel of Lawyers for Hanaoka Mine Forced Relocation case, Dutch, British, American, Australian and New Zealander POW & Civilian Internees' case) |
| Prof. Ishida Yoneko | (Prof. of Okayama Univ.) |
| Mr. Tominaga Shozo | (President of Returnees' Association from China) |
| Mr. Takahashi Tetsuo | (Secretary General of Returnees' Association from China) |
| Mr. Shinozuka Yoshio | (Member of Secretary General of Returnees' Association from China) |
| Mr. Kawamura Kazuyuki | (Former Member of a Ward Assembly in Shinjyuku, Member of Research Association on Human Bornes found in the former Military Medical College) |
| Atty. Uichida Masatoshi | (President of the Panel of Lawyers for Hong Kong Military Payment Certificates case) |
| Prof. Iwabuchi Tatsuji | (Hon.Prof. of Gakushu-in Univ.) |
| Prof. Ejiri Mihoko | (Prof. of Tsudajyuku Univ.) |
| Prof.Kang San-jun | (Prof.of Tokyo Univ.) |
| Prof.Akira Maeda | (Prof. of Tokyo Zokei Univ.) |
| Mr. Watanabe Kenji | (President of Educational Institute for Hosei 2nd Junior & Senior High School ) |
| Mr. Nishikawa Shigenori | (Secretary General of All-Japan Association of Bereaved Families for Peace) |
| Ms. Kim Yonghi | (Co-chairperson of the Korean and Japanese Citizen's Joint Solidarity Committee for Redress of War Victims) |
| Ms. Terumi Kinomura | (Member of support group for Korean Resident Ex-Comfort Women) |
| Ms. Fuyuko Nishisato | (Journalist) |
| Atty. Ichinose Keiichiro | (Secretary General of the Panel of Lawyers for the victims of chemical and germ warfare by 731 Unit) |
| Mr. Fukuda Akinori | (Secretary General of Association Concerned on the Chinese Forced Relocation) |
| Mr. Arimitsu Ken | (Co-ordinator of Citizens' Fund for Redress, Network for Redress of War Victims by Japan) |
| Contact: | International Citizens' Forum on Wartime Crimes & Redress |
| Liaison person: | Mr. Arimitsu Ken E-mail: [email protected] |
| Phone: | 81-3-3237-0217 Fax: +81-3-3237-0287 |
| Address: | ICF, 4-5-16-301, Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 102-0072 |
| Bank Account: |
Dai-ichi Kangyo Bank, Toranomon-Branch, (Ordinary Acc.)
046-2580894 "Kokusai Shimin Forum (ICF)" |
| Co-organizer: | Global Alliance for Preserving the History of World War II in Asia |
| Supporting | World Jewish Congress |
| Organizations: | Canadian Jewish Congress |
| Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union | |
| Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers | |
| National Teachers' Association R.O.C. |
Program
Detailed
Program with Speeches & Bio
|
Dec.9th (Thu) |
|
Arrival of overseas participants |
|
|
18:00-20:00 |
Welcome Dinner for the overseas participants (at Asian Center)
|
|
Dec.10th (Fri) |
12:00-14:30 |
Inspection of Yasukuni Shrine |
|
|
12:30-14:50 |
Video Show |
|
|
|
1) "The Rape of Nanking" |
|
|
|
2) "A Secret Buried for 50 Years" |
|
|
15:00-17:00 |
Opening Session |
|
|
|
Opening
Address & Overview of Current Japan Situation |
|
|
18:00-20:30 |
Panel Symposium I |
|
|
|
"Japan's War Crimes and Postwar Compensation ---- Analysis and Evaluation" |
|
Dec.11th (Sat) |
09:30-12:00 |
Five Concurrent Workshops: "Testimonies & Reports by the Victims, Lawyers & Supporters ; Discussion: What victims are seeking now? What are the issues they are confronting now?" |
|
|
|
A) Nanjing Massacre |
|
|
|
B) Military Sexual Slavery & Sexual Violence against Women |
|
|
|
C) Forced Labors / POW |
|
|
|
D) Unit 731/ Germ & Chemical Warfare |
|
|
|
E) Military Payment Certificate & Looted Cultural Properties |
|
|
13:00-14:00 |
Summery of Workshops' Conclusion
/ Recommendations |
|
|
14:00-17:30 |
Panel Symposium II |
|
|
|
(1)" Litigations for the Redress of Japan's Wartime Atrocities", |
|
|
|
(2)"Legislation & Movement for Redress |
|
|
18:00-20:00 |
Reception |
|
Dec.12th (Sun) |
10:00-12:30 |
Panel Symposium III |
|
|
|
A)"Reflection of Humanity from the Atrocities Past and Pacifism against Resurgence of Militarism in Japan" |
|
|
|
B)"War Crimes-the Wounds in the Hearts of Victims & Perpetrators" |
|
|
13:30-16:00 |
Panel Symposium IV |
|
|
|
"Seeking Reconciliation & Peace for the 21st Century" |
|
|
16:00-17:00 |
Closing session |
|
|
|
Adoption
of Tokyo Appeal |
|
|
|
Closing
Remarks |
| Dec.10th | Tokyo Women's Plaza |
| Address: 5-53-67 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, | |
| *Subway Station "Omotesando" | |
| Tel: 5467-1711 | |
| Dec.11th -12th | Shaki Bunka Kaikan |
| Address: 1-8-1 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo | |
| *Subway Station "Nagatacho" | |
| Tel: 3592-7531 |
| Address: 8-10-32 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo, | |
| *Subway Station"Aoyama Ichome" | |
| Tel: +813-3402-6111 | |
| Fax: +813-3402-0738 | |
| (You can reserve through JOC) |
| Daily rate: | Single (1P/1B): 6,500/7,500Yen (US$62/US$72) | |
| Twin (2P/2B): 10,500Yen (US$100) | ||
| You can also stay at Asia Center for additional nights at the same rate. Please reserve through JOC by fax or E-mail. |
US$400 per person (Single room)
US$352 per person (Twin room)
This package service includes registration fees, accommodations at Asia Centre for four nights(Dec.9,10,11,12,), Dec.9th Dinner, Dec.10 Lunch & Dinner, Dec.11 Lunch Box & Reception Dinner, Dec.12 Lunch Box & Dinner. (*Breakfast is not included but can be ordered at only 580Yen=$5.5- at Asia Center.)
g) How to get to Asia Center from Narita Airport:
When you arrive in Narita airport, please buy the ticket of Limousine bus to TCAT(Tokyo City Air Terminal in Hakozaki, Ticket=2,900Yen/Pax) and get on the bus. You will arrive in TCAT in 70 min. Then go down to the subway station "Suitengu" at TCAT and get on the subway(Hanzo-mon Line). And get off at "Aoytama I-chome"(Fifth station from "Suitengu"). From the subway station, only 5 min.by walk to Asia Center. If you have big luggages, please take the taxi from TCAT to Asia Center (2,000-3,000Yen). JOC will send or fax the map, if you need. Asia Center. The center is sponsored by the government and not a commercial hotel.
| GA members in USA & Canada are strongly encouraged to register and make payment through GA. Payment details will be informed directly by GA Liaison Person. |
| Organizer: Japan Organizing Committee of ICF |
| E-mail: | [email protected] |
| Fax: | +813-3237-0287 |
| Tel: | +813-3237-0217 |
| Mail: | 4-5-16-301, Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Contact person: | Ken Arimitsu |
| Co-organizer: Global Alliance for Preserving the History of WWII in Asia |
| E-mail: | [email protected] |
| Fax: | 1-604-439-7738 |
| Contact person: | Ms. Thekla Lit |
View this in MS Word Detailed Program with Speeches & Bio Press Release