Masatoshi Abe, senior vice foreign minister, said Thursday he will visit the Dominican Republic next week to meet with Japanese emigrants who have filed a damages suit against Tokyo over its emigration policies in the 1950s.
"I think only receiving information is not enough," Abe said. "There is a need to see what is really happening there."
Abe's visit to the Caribbean country will be conducted from Wednesday through Dec. 4.
Some Japanese emigrants who moved to the republic as part of a national program have sought 3.1 billion yen in compensation, claiming they did not receive the rich farm land promised to them by Tokyo and have suffered many hardships as a result.
The government has retorted that it bears no responsibility in this regard, saying the problem is one between those who emigrated and the Dominican Republic.
During his four-day visit, Abe said he will try to examine the case without preconceptions and will listen to as many opinions as possible.
He declined to comment, however, on whether the government will change its position.
Abe said he will also hold talks with President Rafael Mejia and other senior officials to promote closer ties between the two countries.
He will also visit El Salvador and Mexico to meet with government officials, with the latter part of his trip due to run through Dec. 12.