October 25, 2012
The Osaka High Court on October 24 dismissed an appeal filed by victims of the “red purge”, who claimed state compensation for damages caused by a major anti-communist purge during the U.S. occupation of Japan.
They are three men living in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. Soon after the Second World War, these plaintiffs and tens of thousands of workers were ousted from their workplaces across the country on the grounds that they were members or supporters of the Japanese Communist Party.
The three men argued that the government should be held responsible to compensate those victims, showing documented evidence that the administration had played an active part in the purge. The court judgment, however, turned down their demand, stating that there is no evidence that the government had taken the initiative for the mass dismissals.
Plaintiffs’ lawyer Saeki Yuzo said at a press conference, “The case cannot be left as is. We will appeal to the Supreme Court and gather public opinion.” One of the plaintiffs said, “I will live until we win the suit.”
Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi issued a statement on the same day. Ichida strongly criticized the decision for acquitting the state that has taken no measures to help the sufferers to this day. He also expressed his determination to make every effort so that the victims can have their honor restored as well as obtain compensatory damages from the government.
They are three men living in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. Soon after the Second World War, these plaintiffs and tens of thousands of workers were ousted from their workplaces across the country on the grounds that they were members or supporters of the Japanese Communist Party.
The three men argued that the government should be held responsible to compensate those victims, showing documented evidence that the administration had played an active part in the purge. The court judgment, however, turned down their demand, stating that there is no evidence that the government had taken the initiative for the mass dismissals.
Plaintiffs’ lawyer Saeki Yuzo said at a press conference, “The case cannot be left as is. We will appeal to the Supreme Court and gather public opinion.” One of the plaintiffs said, “I will live until we win the suit.”
Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi issued a statement on the same day. Ichida strongly criticized the decision for acquitting the state that has taken no measures to help the sufferers to this day. He also expressed his determination to make every effort so that the victims can have their honor restored as well as obtain compensatory damages from the government.
