Health minister, ex-leprosy patients agree to settle

Health minister, ex-leprosy patients agree to settle

TOKYO, Japan - Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Chikara Sakaguchi (R) shakes hands with Kazumi Sogano, who heads a group of former leprosy patients and their bereaved families, at his ministry Jan. 28 in Tokyo after signing an agreement. The accord calls on the government to pay compensation to former patients and the families of deceased patients. The settlement is expected to be officially reached at the court Jan. 30.

Gov't, leprosy patients sign basic redress accord

Gov't, leprosy patients sign basic redress accord

TOKYO, Japan - Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Chikara Sakaguchi (L) shakes hands with Kazumi Sogano, representaive of current and former leprosy patients, at the health ministry in Tokyo on July 23 after signing a basic accord under which the government will compensate them for past forced segregation. The accord paved the way for the state to pay 30 billion yen in redress to some 2,000 patients who have sued the state in the Kumamoto, Okayama and Tokyo district courts since 1998.

Health minister, ex-leprosy patients agree to settle

Health minister, ex-leprosy patients agree to settle

TOKYO, Japan - Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Chikara Sakaguchi (R) shakes hands with Kazumi Sogano, who heads a group of former leprosy patients and their bereaved families, at his ministry Jan. 28 in Tokyo after signing an agreement. The accord calls on the government to pay compensation to former patients and the families of deceased patients. The settlement is expected to be officially reached at the court Jan. 30.

Gov't, leprosy patients sign basic redress accord

Gov't, leprosy patients sign basic redress accord

TOKYO, Japan - Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Chikara Sakaguchi (L) shakes hands with Kazumi Sogano, representaive of current and former leprosy patients, at the health ministry in Tokyo on July 23 after signing a basic accord under which the government will compensate them for past forced segregation. The accord paved the way for the state to pay 30 billion yen in redress to some 2,000 patients who have sued the state in the Kumamoto, Okayama and Tokyo district courts since 1998.