Comment by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Lawsuits in California against Japanese Corporations for Labor during the Second World War

September 26, 2000

The Federal District Court in San Francisco, on September 21 (local time), dismissed claims raised by the plaintiffs including former American prisoners of war.
The Governments of Japan and the United States of America share the view that the issue of reparations, property and other claims arising out of World War II has been settled by the San Francisco Peace Treaty. I welcome the court's order, for it is in line with this view.
The Government of Japan will continue to make utmost efforts to maintain and further develop the Japan-US relationship, which has developed on the basis of the San Francisco Peace Treaty and has matured into the most important bilateral relationship in the world.

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