On November 15, 2019, the ``Act on the Payment of Compensation to Family members of former leprosy patients (Act No. 55 of 2019; hereinafter referred to as the ``Act'') was enacted by a lawmaker's legislation. It was promulgated and enforced on November 22 of the same year.
The preamble of the law states that under the isolation policy for Hansen's Disease, Family members of former leprosy patients have faced great hardship over the years, including being unable to form the family relationships they desired with former Hansen's Disease patients amid prejudice and discrimination. We take seriously, with repentance and remorse, the tragic fact that, despite the pain and suffering we have been forced to endure, the seriousness of the problem has not been recognized and no efforts have been made to address it. He expressed his deepest apologies. Based on the law, we will provide compensation to the families of eligible former Hansen's Disease patients.