More Leprosy Patients Win Compensation

Japan agreed to compensate a group of 150 leprosy patients not covered under a previous settlement.

Under the accord, the government apologized for curtailing the rights of patients to receive treatment under a 1953 law that forced many into isolated sanitariums.

Last year, the government agreed to pay millions of dollars to about 500 leprosy patients.

The new compact extends the benefits to about 150 more who were not exiled but still suffered discrimination under the law, which was abolished in 1996. The government will pay from $37,313 to $104,500 to each patient or their relatives.