ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the process, results, and effects of a legal battle by the Japanese war orphans against the Japanese government to secure retirement benefits.
First, the following content is covered, with a focus on interviews with the leader of this legal battle: the start of the battle for state reparations, signature petitions, the difference in enthusiasm between political parties, and the lawsuit against the state.
Then, the new support measures to secure retirement benefits for Japanese war orphans are introduced, along with their issues. The success of the trial was made possible by the following three factors: the presence of an influential and charismatic leader for the movement, the presence of influential politicians and Diet members, and the decision of then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. However, while the Japanese war orphans have been able to secure retirement income through this legal battle, their problem of loneliness is more severe than Japanese or Overseas Chinese of the same age.
Finally, I analyze how the legal battle induced a self-image of unhappiness among the Japanese war orphans.
