Parliament apologizes to former leprosy patients

The House of Representatives on June 7 unanimously adopted a resolution admitting that the Diet is responsible for allowing the government to continue to keep leprosy patients in quarantine for many years.

The resolution expressed remorse and apology for denying Hansen's disease patients basic human rights.

Later in the day, the ruling and opposition parties reached agreement on a bill to compensate the victims and restore their dignity.

The House of Councilors adopted a similar resolution on June 8. (end)