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Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Kozo Igarashi on the Establishment of the Asian Fund for Women

14 June 1995

To follow up the statement made in August, 1994, by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, and in accordance with discussions of the Ruling Parties' Project Team for 50th Anniversary Issues, and after consideration within the Government, based on our remorse for the past on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the War, the projects of the "Asian Peace and Friendship Fund for Women" will be undertaken as follows.

The following activities will be conducted for the former wartime comfort women, through the cooperation of the Japanese People and the Government:
(a) The Fund will raise funds in the private sector as a means to enact the Japanese people's atonement for former wartime comfort women.
(b) The Fund will support those conducting medical and welfare projects and other similar projects which are of service to former wartime comfort women, through the use of government funding and other funds.
(c) When these projects are implemented, the Government will express the nation's feelings of sincere remorse and apology to the former wartime comfort women.
(d) In addition, the Government will collate historical documents on past wartime comfort women, to serve as a lesson of history.
As its project addressing issues related to the honor and dignity of women, including the projects mentioned in 1 (b) above, the Fund will, through the use of government funding and other funds, support those who undertake projects that address contemporary problems, such as violence against women.
The names of those who have given their support to date, acting as "proponents" calling on a broad range of Japanese people to cooperate with the projects of the "Asian Peace and Friendship Fund for Women," are listed separately.