Japanese Eye Bank

* In “Another Use for American Soldiers” (Commentary, Nov. 5), Chalmers Johnson states, “The Japanese themselves have been debating a law that would permit their citizens to donate body parts after death,” and that rich Japanese who need corneal transplants must travel to the Philippines to get them. Johnson, who is president of the Japan Policy Research Institute, apparently is not aware of the Corneal Transplantation Act of 1956, which passed the Japanese Diet at that time with resounding support throughout the country.

I know. Forty years ago as an Army private stationed in Yokohama, I began to organize the Eye Bank for Japan Committee, which resulted in the legislation and the establishment of the Japan Eye-Bank Society. There is a long and loving history between the Japanese people and the American military presence. This is worth remembering. For my extracurricular efforts during my tour of duty in Japan, I was honored by a medal from the Imperial Palace and received a special commendation from Armed Forces Far East Commander Lt. Gen. Lyman Leminitzer.

JOEL STEINBERGER

Los Angeles