Australia compensates war vets imprisoned in Japan
Australian Second World War veterans have welcomed a decision by their government to compensate soldiers who were imprisoned by Japan.
The government is to give each prisoner of war AUS$25,000.
Widows of POWs will also receive the payment, which will cost the government about AUS$247m.
Australians held captive by Germany and its European allies are not eligible.
Acting National President of the Returned and Services League (RSL), Rusty Priest, said: "Albeit 50 years late, we recognise that the compensation is there and we are glad that it has been extended to widows and civilian detainees."
Mr Priest said the RSL was disappointed that POWs in Europe and from other wars were not eligible, but said the prisoners of Japan were a special case.
"It's closer to home and they did experience a horrific ordeal," he said.
But the compensation did not change the need for a formal Japanese apology, Mr Priest said.
Some ex-POWs believe Japan should pay the money.
David Barrett, who spent three-and-a-half years as a POW in Thailand, said: "I'm very pleased about the compensation. But my fight is not over because the Australian taxpayer is paying what the Japanese government should be paying."
Mr Priest said Japanese government compensation is not possible because of a 1951 treaty signed by Australia, the United States, Britain and Canada which excused Japan from reparations and compensation.
