Descendant demands Japan pay for 1942 invasion of Attu Island

In August 2024, the great-granddaughter of the last chief of Attu Island, Alaska, visited the island for the first time in connection with a Japanese effort to recover the remains of World War II soldiers. During this trip, she learned that Japanese officials were exhuming remains from the island, which she found disrespectful, as the bones potentially belonged to her people or U.S. soldiers. Following this visit, she reiterated her long-standing belief that Japan should offer more restitution to the descendants of Attu residents harmed by the Japanese invasion during the war. Most of the original residents were forcibly removed during the invasion, and surviving members were prevented from returning after the war due to military concerns about rebuilding. The situation surrounding the Attuans and the Japanese government is further complicated by historical compensation treaties established in the post-war period, which Japan claims resolved such issues. However, various groups have continued to voice demands for reparations related to wartime actions against different populations, including Attu natives. The descendants of these communities, including Pagano, feel that despite the 1951 San Francisco treaty, the suffering and trauma endured during and after the war have not been adequately addressed or compensated. Many advocates are now calling for a renewed dialogue regarding reparations, seeking acknowledgment of the historical injustices faced by their ancestors and the impact it has had on subsequent generations. The Aleut Corporation has recognized this historical trauma and expressed awareness of ongoing calls for reparations, though the Japanese government maintains that it has fulfilled its obligations through existing agreements.