Japanese executive's WWII remarks incite workers' strike

Workers at a Japanese-funded electronics company in China's manufacturing hub Dongguan have ended their strike after a Japanese executive apologized for remarks denying the Japanese invasion of China during WWII, local authorities said in a public statement.

The statement said Masataka Kataoka, chairman of Alps Electric Co Ltd, the Japanese investor of Changan Rihua Electronic Plant based in Chang'an township of Dongguan, South China's Guangdong province, bowed and said he withdrew his words.

Masataka Kataoka also promised to start negotiations to improve workers' rights and benefits.

The striking workers dispersed after the apology and order has been restored at the factory.

The strike began at about 9:30 am Tuesday after the executive said Japan did not invade China during World War II, but the Japanese army helped China rid itself of colonial rule.

The executive made the remarks at a meeting with senior executives of the company.

More than 1,000 workers immediately went on strike, demanding that the executive should apologize - and cornering him in the company's conference hall.