Japan passed a Basic Law, designed to protect the rights of people affected by leprosy in Japan and facilitate their full integration into society, in April 2009: the Law on the Promotion of Issues Related to Hansen’s Disease.

Violation of the human rights of people affected by Hansen’s disease probably did not happen anywhere in the world so consistently as in Japan and its colonies, where not only was segregation compulsory, but the following were mandatory: sterilisation, abortion and labour. Segregation was only officially ended in Japan in 1996, although the World Health Organization had declared it unnecessary in 1960.

The new Law on the Promotion of Issues Related to Hansen’s Disease that has recently been passed focuses on the reintegration of people affected by leprosy into society. It encourages people affected by leprosy to develop ways to open up the sanitoria in which they are living to other people. As of February 2009, there were 2,609 people affected by leprosy still living in 13 sanitoria in Japan. Having been forced to live in isolation for most of their lives, they have an average age of over 80.

It is likely that this will take time and adjustment not just on the part of people affected by leprosy, but that of the general public too.

• Residents at the Oshima-Seishoen Sanitorium in Kagawa Prefecture have been trying to find an organisation that would manage a hospice or welfare facility for elderly people within their sanitorium building, but have not yet found an operator.
• In Okinawa Prefecture, a sanitorium in Miyakojima City is planning, in co-operation with former residents and neighbours, to train guides, who are to help people learn more about why people who have been cured of leprosy are still living in sanitoria and the daily issues they face.
• A surplus of hospital beds in the local area meant that the suggestion of residents of the Oku-Komyoen and Nagashima-Aiseien, both in Setouchi, to allow their neighbours to use their clinic has been rejected.

Another element of the recent Law calls for the preservation of historic buildings and other items to promote better understanding of leprosy. Residents at Kuriu-Rakusenen, in Gunma Prefecture, have asked the State to recreate a small cell in which some 93 leprosy patients from across Japan were confined as punishment during the period 1938 – 1947. Of these 22 died during or just after their confinement. 

Having had to live with prejudice and discrimination for years, and after much campaigning, discussion and examination of the infringements of the basic rights of people affected by leprosy, it is hoped that the Law on the Promotion of Issues Related to Hansen’s Disease can be used to prevent future occurrences of stigmatising, discriminatory or unjust treatment towards people affected by leprosy in Japan and ensure their full human rights. Spreading awareness of human rights is an ongoing process – particularly among the younger generation, who can help break the chain of transmission of unfair and unwarranted prejudice. Everyone has a responsibility in respecting the rights of every other person.  

News item on re-opening of National Hansen’s Disease Museum: http://www.ilep.org.uk/news-events/article/view/national-hansens-disease-museum-re-opens-in-tokyo/88/

Website of the National Hansen’s disease Museum (in Japanese): http://www.hansen-dis.or.jp/

 

Policy on people affected by leprosy in Japan

1909
Japanese Government introduces segregation policy of people affected by leprosy.

1931
Leprosy Prevention Act passed that forced all people with leprosy to live in sanatoria.

April 1996
Act repealing the Leprosy Prevention Act enforced (including support for former residents of Hansen’s disease sanitoria with facilities for rehabilitation).

2001
Patients and former patients sued the government in some cities, such as that in Kumamoto where plaintiffs won a judgement in their favour in May 2001.

The Prime Minister announced a Colloquium on the Early and Full-Scale Solution of Hansen’s Disease Problems on 25^th May that year. 

On 22^nd June the Act on the Payment of Compensation (the Indemnity Law) was enforced, allowing payment of compensation to former residents of Hansen’s disease sanitoria.

On 25^th December the Ministry of Health Labour and Family Welfare and representatives of patients and former patients agreed on Matters Confirmed at the Conference on Measures for Hansen’s Disease Problems. The Ministry was to take measures to restore the honour of people affected by leprosy and to promote their welfare in addition to existing measures in place.

2004+ 
Nationwide symposiums held to increase public awareness of Hansen’s disease.

March 2005 
Final Report of the Verification Committee Concerning Hansen’s Disease Problem

Feb 2006 
The Act on Payment of Compensation to Inmates of Hansen’s Disease Sanitoria was revised to include people who used to be in Hansen’s disease sanitoria established abroad before the end of the Second World War.  (This included the Rakuseiin Hospital in Taiwan, the Sorokto Hospital in South Korea, and four sanitoria in the South Sea Islands – Palau, Yap, Saipan and Jaluit).

April 2007
National Hansen’s Disease Museum reopened in drive to restore honour and remove prejudice and discrimination against people affected by leprosy.

June 2008
Act on the Promotion of the Resolution of Hansen’s Disease Issues was approved at a Regular Diet session.

April 2009
The Basic Law on the Promotion of the Resolution of Issues Related to Hansen’s disease took effect.

 

Categories: Asia, Japan, News and Notes