Tony Blair's Statement Sparks Outrage from Former POWs Ahead of Japan's Emperor State Visit

Former prisoners of war have expressed outrage over Prime Minister Tony Blair's statement calling for a warm welcome to Japan's Emperor Akihito, citing the UK's significant trade ties with Japan. This comes as the Emperor and Empress Michiko prepare for their state visit. Blair's statement highlighted the UK's £4.2 billion worth of trade with Japan, emphasizing the importance of Japanese investment to British jobs. However, ex-POWs saw this as a betrayal of their fight for justice, claiming that Blair seemed more concerned with trade figures than their plight.

Key Takeaways:

• Tony Blair's statement urging a warm welcome to Japan's Emperor Akihito has sparked outrage from former POWs, who claim he is prioritizing trade ties over their fight for justice.
• The UK's trade with Japan is significant, with £4.2 billion worth of exports in 1997, and over 275 Japanese manufacturing companies in the UK providing more than 65,000 jobs worth over £20 billion.
• The veterans are suing the Japanese Government for £14,000 compensation each and demanding a full apology, while also objecting to Blair's approval of the award of the Order of the Garter to the Emperor.
• The UK is Japan's largest export market outside Western Europe and the US, with British investment in Japan amounting to around £3 billion.
• The ex-POWs are planning to demonstrate during the Emperor's visit, turning their backs when Akihito and the Empress travel along The Mall with the Queen in a horse-drawn carriage.
• The veterans feel that their government is more interested in Japanese trade and investment than in fighting for justice for those who suffered in the wartime labour camps.
• The Japanese Labour Camps Survivors' Association is seeking compensation for the atrocities suffered by the prisoners.

Statistics:

• 12,433 British prisoners of war died in Japanese camps, with more than half of them building the infamous "Death Railway".
• Over 600,000 Japanese tourists visit the UK each year, contributing over £500 million to the UK economy.
• Japan is the biggest market in the world for Britain's arts, hosting over 150 events a year, contributing an estimated £50 million to the UK economy.
• More than 50,000 Japanese people live in Britain.
• The trade in vehicles and construction equipment between the two countries is significant, with medicines and hospital supplies also being major exports from the UK.

Sources:

• "Tony Blair's statement sparks outrage from former POWs" from the unattributed article, originally published in the newspaper on [exact date unavailable].