Japanese lawmakers plan to submit a relief bill to the House of Councillors in July [1] to compensate civilians disabled during World War II air raids.

The legislation addresses a long-standing gap in state support, as current compensation typically only applies to military personnel or government employees. By providing financial aid to civilians, the bill acknowledges the state's historical responsibility for those who suffered injuries during U.S. bombing campaigns.

The proposal was finalized during a general meeting on June 22 [1]. The bill, which was originally drafted in 2025 [1], seeks to provide a payment of 500,000 yen [1] to each eligible victim.

Rep. Katsu-ei Hirasawa, chair of the bipartisan air-raid victims group, criticized the delay in providing this relief. He said many victims were denied compensation simply because they were not military personnel or employees of the state, and called the previous lack of support unacceptable.

Rep. Kosei Ozora, a Liberal Democratic Party secretary, said the bill is not intended to blame the state but to fulfill necessary obligations based on history. Ozora said the goal is to ensure that the tragic history of the war is passed down to future generations.

Advocacy groups have pushed for a swift resolution to the matter. A representative for the National Air Raid Victims Liaison Council said the group wants the bill to be passed during the current Diet session.

“"Why must such a simple matter take so much time?"”

This legislative move represents a shift in how the Japanese government recognizes the suffering of non-combatants. By establishing a specific financial relief mechanism for civilian air-raid victims, the state is formally extending a level of accountability to citizens who were previously excluded from military-centric compensation schemes.