On 1st April the National Hansen's Disease Museum re-opened with a larger collection at a new location, next to one of Japan's 13 remaining homes for persons affected by leprosy.

Reasons for enlarging this museum:

The Japanese Government agreed to enhance the National Hansen's Disease Museum in 2001. Then a landmark legal judgement found that the Japanese Government had infringed the human rights of persons affected by leprosy by keeping them in isolation. Although the World Health Organization had declared it was unnecessary to isolate leprosy patients in 1960, leprosy patients in Japan were housed separately under the national Leprosy Prevention Law up until 1996.

As part of its apology, the Government of Japan, agreed to provide the funding to the National Hansen's Disease Museum so it could complement its existing leprosy collection with exhibits emphasising the importance of human rights and compassion.

Aims of this museum:  

• To promote awareness of leprosy


• To represent and preserve the history of leprosy in Japan


• To show what persons affected by leprosy have achieved


• To help restore the dignity of persons affected by leprosy


• To demonstrate the importance of human rights and the linked need to end prejudice and discrimination

The exhibits explain the daily life of persons affected by leprosy from their medical treatment, to work, religion, education and their pastimes. Among the collection are personal journals and poems. There is also a video theatre and library, including a space for special exhibitions.

Written explanations and audio guides for every exhibit are available in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean.

Click here to access the Website of the National Hansen's Disease Museum (in Japanese):
www.hansen-dis.or.jp

 

 

Category: Asia, News and Notes