Brazilian government apologized for persecution of World War II

The Brazilian government has apologized for the persecution, internment and mistreatment of Japanese immigrants during and after World War II. This is the first time that the government has officially apologized for the actions. The Amnesty Commission is an advisory panel of Brazil’s Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship. 

The panel is investigating the human rights abuses that were perpetrated by the dictatorial government after 1946. It is also trying to determine whether apologies should be offered or whether compensation should be provided. 

Parties involved in the cases, including a group of immigrants from the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, had urged the government to apologize. The head of the group of immigrants from Okinawa, Shimabukuro Eiki, attended the panel’s session on Thursday.