Japan's chief justice has apologized for the practice of trying people suffering from leprosy, or Hansen's disease, in isolated facilities over a period of about 25 years.
The Supreme Court last week issued a report on 95 trials of Hansen's disease patients that were not held in normal courts, but in special isolated sanatoriums and other facilities, between 1948 and 1972.
The report says the practice of using special courts is thought to be discriminatory, hurting patients' human rights and dignity.
Chief Justice Itsuro Terada spoke to reporters on the issue on Monday, one day before Japan's Constitution Day.
Terada expressed remorse for the illegal treatment by the courts. He said he apologizes from his heart to the disease patients and former patients. He added that it took a long time to offer the apology.
ハンセン病患者の裁判が隔離された療養所などに設置された「特別法廷」で開かれていた問題について、最高裁の寺田逸郎長官が謝罪しました。 ハンセン病の特別法廷問題では先月、最高裁が「差別の助長につながり、患者の人格と尊厳を傷付けた」などとする調査結果を公表しました。
May 03
Japan's foreign minister announced a $7 billion initiative Monday to promote development in Southeast Asia's Mekong region, which encompasses parts of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand through which the river flows.
(Japan Today) May 03
Police said Monday they are looking for a man who stole 1 million yen from a Pizza Hut store in Tokyo, and injured two employees in the process.
(Japan Today) May 03
Japan's chief justice has apologized for the practice of trying people suffering from leprosy, or Hansen's disease, in isolated facilities over a period of about 25 years.
(NHK) May 03
The leaders of Japan and France have agreed to announce a counterterrorism action plan during the upcoming G7 summit.
(NHK) May 03
Average occupancy at 18 major Tokyo hotels edged up 0.1 percentage point to 83.8% in the year ended in March -- staying in the 80% range seen as near full occupancy -- even as hotels hike rates, though recent data shows signs of a downtrend.
(Nikkei)
May 03
The Diet enacted a law Monday to boost benefits for second and later children in low-income households headed by single parents by up to double the current levels.
(Japan Times) May 03
The Bank of Japan has developed a new index that tracks private consumption monthly, saying a gauge that eschews household surveys will be more accurate.
(Nikkei) May 03
The information center at the 5th station of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji has opened, kicking off the 2016 tourist season. The center offers information in 7 languages.
(NHK) May 02
Japan on Monday began its annual "Cool Biz" campaign, which encourages workers to dress more casually to help reduce energy use, with government offices allowing polo shirts, Hawaiian-style aloha shirts and similar attire.
(Japan Times) May 02
Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s fuel economy testing fraud has hit its partner Nissan Motor Co. in domestic showrooms, with the latter automaker posting a steeper plunge in April minicar sales and overall market share.
(Japan Times)