<P> Accordingly, Japan paid £ 4,500,000 to the Red Cross . </P> <P> Article 16 has served as a bar against subsequent lawsuits filed by former Allied prisoners of war against Japan . In 1998, a Tokyo court ruled against a suit brought by former Allied POW's, citing the San Francisco Treaty . </P> <P> Article 14 of the treaty stated that </P> <P> It is recognized that Japan should pay reparations to the Allied Powers for the damage and suffering caused by it during the war . Nevertheless it is also recognized that the resources of Japan are not presently sufficient, if it is to maintain a viable economy, to make complete reparation for all such damage and suffering and at the same time meet its other obligations . </P>

According to the treaty of san francisco the japanese could only use military force to