The Associated Press
Far fewer Koreans or descendants of Koreans conscripted to fight for Japan during World War II are coming forward to claim "condolence money" than the government had expected, leaving billions of yen unclaimed, officials said Tuesday.
Responding in part to mounting anger over what many Koreans and Chinese perceived as Japan's lack of contrition over its wartime actions, the government set aside 6 billion yen in 2001 for the fund, which is only paid to permanent residents of Japan.
It anticipated that 2,400 Koreans or their descendants living in Japan would apply for the money, which is available to Koreans who were wounded while fighting or the surviving relatives of those who were wounded or killed.
As of the end of October, however, the Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry had only received some 300 applications.
Officials said that the low turnout may be due to the death of many wartime conscripts, along with a lack of awareness by the families and the complications of the application process.